Christmas Eve

I got up at 7.11, put on a load of washing and made a pot of tea. We had a cup of tea, a glass of orange and a cup of coffee. We sat about till our son got up then H went up to turbo and I vacumed downstairs. Son went out to the shops and when he had gone I walked to the chemists to collect my medication. When I got back we had our lunch. H had a cheese sandwich and a packet of crisps. son had a salad. I had cheese, a tomato and a packet of crisps. We all had a beer. This afternoon I wrote several emails, had a bath and washed my hair. We watched an episode of Queens gambit and then I cooked dinner. We had bacon, eggs, sausages, steak, potato wedges, mushrooms roast broccoli and peppers. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas eves eve

I got up at 7.10, made a pot of tea and had eggs and peppers for breakfast. H came down at 7.45. After his breakfast he made us a coffee. I put on a load of washing and when it was done I put it in the tumble drier and got it dried straight away. I did a bit of clearing up and sorted my presents out ready to deliver as soon as our daughter rang to say she was home with our turkey. When she rang we put all the prezzies in the car and off we went. We came back with far more than we took. I have been pretty hopeless on the present front because of covid. I am going to make more of an effort next year, hopefully things will be better next year, after lunch I went up to turbo. I did 23 and a bit miles. Son went for a run. After my bath I cooked dinner, we had gammon steaks, mushrooms, leeks, cauliflower, potato wedges and an egg.Apple and cream.

Tuesday.

I got up at 6.15,made a pot of tea, a bowl of porridge and had my breakfast. H came down at 6.45 and after he had eaten his breakfast we had a coffee. I emptied the dishwashed and put everything away. H went up to turbo and son and I Went for a 3 mile walk. When we got back I got lunch. H had a bacon sandwich, son had a salad and I had slice of cheese and a banana. After lunch son went for a run and I went up for a ride on the turbo trainer. I tried a new route for a change and did 17.8 miles. when I finished I had a bath and cooked dinner, we had meat sauce on jacket potatoes with apple and cream for pudding.After my dinner I went upstairs to wrap Christmas presents. I have had a nice day, I love not going to work.

Monday

I got up at5.30, put on a load of washing and had my breakfast. I had red bell pepper fried with 2 eggs, yummy, I also had a mug of tea. I packed my usual cheese and tomato with a bottle of water, made the bed, dressed, packed my bag with extra socks and gloves and got ready to go to work. It was raining when I left home, raining when I came home 6 hours later and it didnt stop in between. I had to pick 38 bunches of purple carrots and 120 bunches of carrots. The men arrived to collect them just as I finished. We went to the yard, unloaded the trailer and had our break. After break Andrew pulled up loads of leeks for me to trim. The boss said he wanted 6 boxes, I had trimmed 5 boxes when the men turned up so we all trimmed the 6th box and went back to the yard where we washed some celeriac the men had trimmed and the leeks. I just had time to lay out the carrots on the rack ready to be washed and it was time for me to go home.I was supposed to be working tomorrow but the boss said we werent as busy as he thought we would be so I dont have to go. My Christmas starts here.My next working day is January 4th! When I got home H made me a coffee and we watched a film. For dinner we had lamb cutlets, sausages, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli,carroots and leeks. Now I am about to watch 'Corrie'.

Sunday.

I got up at 6.15 and put on a load of washing before making the tea and porridge. I had my breakfast and when the washing was done I hung it out and yesterdays as well.When I came in H made me a coffee. I emptied the dishwasher, put everything away and got the meat out of the freezer for tonight. I hung all our Christmas cards up and after another coffee we all got ready to go out on our bikes. We had a really nice ride, we started off on the road becsuse the track at our end is rather muddy. Then we got on the track and carried on past Whitwell, over the Reepham road and up to the next road. We were going to carry on but the next section was like a quagmire so we turned round and and came back, (we did 23 and a bit miles). Our son got a puncture, it was rear wheel this time, the last time he and I went along the track he got a puncture in his front wheel. Its only the second time he has been out with a new tyre on the back. He found the culprit, a huge thorn sticking right through. This was at the halfway point and then 3 miles from home he got another one! When we got home the men had a mug of left over stew, I had some cheese. we had a glass of 7year old port and watched a film. I siced my beetroot and put it in vinegar. After my bath I cooked dinner. Son and I had ribeye steaks and H had a pork steak ( he is not keen on beef!). with our steaks we had mushrooms, tomatoes, potato wedges, squash wedges, and cauliflower. We had the other half of our melon for dessert. I have had a nice day, I loved my bike ride. Tomorrow I have to go to work which wont be as nice and the forecast is for rain rain and more rain.

Saturday

I got up at 6 and put on a load of washing. I made porridge for my breakfast and added a spoonful of jam as a treat. I sat and wrote an email to mt sister in law because I forgot to do it yesterday. we had a coffee and I read a bit of my book. H went up to the pain cave and I carried on reading. He rode 65 miles! I read till son got up and then I emptied the dishwasher and put it all away. Next I made a beef stew for dinner tonight. I like to make it early and then the meat rests all day tenderising. I did nothing much all day but I needed a rest after my work week and only a two day weekend. At lunch we all had a coffee, H had a cheese and ham sandwich with his, son had a cheese and bacon salad and I had a slice of corned beef and a slice of ham. Son went out for a run and H and I sat and watched a film. When he got back I made a pot of tea, and had a bath. when I came down I heated up our stew which was delicous. We had mellon for dessert. Now I am watching S C D

Friday, a week till Christmas. 🎄

I got UP at 5.35 and after I had made a pot of tea I cooked mushrooms and eggs for my breakfast. while it was cooking I packed cheese, tomatoes and water for my break at work. I sat and relaxed till it was time to dress and go. I was sent on leeks first on my own and it aws a nightmare. The boss had lifted them but he had gone in too deep i couldnt lift them out of the ground. I had to cut round each one in the ground and heave them out. While I was pulling some broke off and I fell over backwards.The men came to pick them up and said they had to take down 8 boxes, I had only done 5. So they pulled some up for me and we did another 3 boxes. we went down for break and then washed all the swedes the men had done and the leeks. We went back up the field to get 12 boxes of parsnips and some loose carrots. As soon as we got there I scraped 2 parsnips out of the field and had a dreadful stomach ache! So I walked all the way back to the yard to go to the toilet.I still had a tummy ache and I wonder if I strained it trying to pull the leeks out. I decided I would go home so I found the boss and told him, he said it was fine as we were well up with work! When I got home it was 11.50. H made me a coffee and I sat and read my book for half an hour then I felt better so I swept the kitchen and toilet floors and washed them both. I hung the chocolate tree decs on the Christmas tree and made a pot of tea. we had cod, potato wedges and mushy peas for dinner. Our son arrived home for Christmas and brought a nice bottle of port with him so we all had a drop of that. I have just got to work Monday and Tuesday and then no more till January 4th.

Thursday, only a week to Christmas Eve.

I got up at 5.20 and put on a load of washing. I made a pot of tea and had eggs on toast for breakfast. I packed marmite on toast for my break and a bottle of water. I hung out the washing when it was done, dressed, made the bed and got ready to go to work. I had to walk to leeks with Andrew and we trimmed them till coffee break, Andy joined us around 8.45. After break I pulled up and topped 3 boxes of beetroot. Next I did 48 bunches of purple carrots. After that I did a box of loose carrots and the men came back up and we all went to leeks for the rest of the morning. When I got home H made me a coffee and I had a mince pie.I just sat and read this afternoon after I had got the washing in because I am feeling tired. We watched tipping point, I had a bath and we had dinner, a lasagna with peas and mushrooms. I didnt drink much of my water, it was too cold and froze my throat. I am working again tomorrow.

Wednesday

I got up at 5.15 put on a load of washing and after I had made a pot of tea I had my breakfast. I packed my lunch, cheese and cucumber with a bottle of water. When my washing was done I went up the garden in the dark to hang it out. I dressed, made the bed and read my book till it was time for me to go to work. When I got there the boss said we were really busy. I had to bunch carrots. I had done 180 bunches before the men joined me. We ended up with 294 bunches before break. After break I had to go back to carrots and pick another 60 bunches and then trim leeks. I had only done 2 boxes when the men came and took me away to trim celeriac (we had to do 36) then pull up parsnips. We managed to fill 12 boxes before it was my home time. I went straight to our daughters to collect our groceries and then home. I unpacked and put everything away and H made me a coffee. I got the washing in and had a coconut bun. We watched tipping point, had our baths and dinner. Fish cakes, jacket potatoes and baked beans. I have to work again tomorrow.

Tuesday.

I got up just after 6 and had porridge for breakfast. H came down at ten past seven. When he had finished his breakfast I dressed and we got ready to go out and fill the car with petrol. When we got in the car we couldnt get out of our drive because it was blocked by an ambulance! I hpoe its not covid moving in closer. After the petrol we went to the butchers and on the way home posted my prescription through the sugery door. When we got home we had a coffee, I had a banana with mine and H had a mince pie. After that H went up for a ride on Zwift and I emptied the dishwasher, did a bit of dusting and then went outside to clear some more frost damaged plants up. H finished his ride and got us coffee and pot noodles for lunch. When I had finished mine I finished a chapter in my book and changed to do an hour on the turbo trainer. I rode on the same course as H put me on with the 'dirt bike' but this time with a road bike. On the dirt bike I did 16.4 miles in the hour. On the road bike I managed to do 20.5 miles in the hour! It was hot work though because the sun was full in the bedroom window. When I finished H poured us a glass of wine and we watched tipping point. We had our baths and then dinner, pizza and a side salad. Tomorrow I am back at work.

Back to the grind stone.

I got up at around 5.30 and put on a load of washing. I had eggs and mushrooms for breakfast with a mug of tea. I packed my snack for work, made the bed, dressed etc and read some of my book till it was time for me to go to work. I had to do 20 bunches of beetroot, 6 bunches of purple carrots and 120 bunches of carrots. I had done 60 bunches when the men turnd up and helped with the other 60. We went to the yard and had to wash the beetroot and 12 bunches so the boss could go out on the first delivery. We had our break and I had to walk to the leeks. The men had to do a few other things and then join me. we kust managed to finish the second early bed of leeks, we had 16 boxes. When I got home H made me a coffee and I had a mince pie. I went straight up the garden and got the washing in. H had hung it out for me and it was almost dry. I didnt do much this afternoon I felt too tired. We watched tipping point, I had a bath and cooked pasta with a meat sauce, apple and ice cream for afters. I dont have to work tomorrow but I have to go the rest of the week and next Monday and Tuesday and then I have got ages off.

Sunday

I got up at 6.20 and put on a load of washing. I had porridge for breakfast again but with a spoonful of my sister in laws jam in it. It was yummy, its made with a fruit my brother grows on his alotment. Its a fruit I have not heard of before and I cant remember what he said it is called. It tastes like blackcurrent and looks almost the same but is a much larger fruit. H went up for a ride as soon as we had had our coffee. It was only 2 degrees here and as I didnt want to gasp that cold air down my sore throat I told him I would ride updtairs as well. I was glad I decided to do that because at 10 oclock it was raining, it wasnt a lot but I wouldnt have gone out in it. H set it up for me when he finished his ride and I started to ride. It was such hard work and when I tried to change gear nothing happened! I struggled on and finished a lap (10.5 miles) I was exhusted! I went down and told H how hard it was and asked him to change gears for me but when he tried he discovered the cable was broken, no wonder I was finding it such hard work.He fixed it all and I did another lap and a bit. We had soup for lunch and then sat and watched a film, we had our baths and I cooked dinner. pork with potatoes, broccoli, cabbage and carrots.Apple and yogurt for dessert. work tomorrow.

Saturday

I didnt get up till gone 7 H had made a pot of tea and eaten his breakfast. I made my porridge and had mine. We had a coffee and H went to the pain cave for a ride. I cleared up the kitcken and did a bit of housework. Next I got our wooden Christmas tree out of the wardrobe, put it together and plugged it in. It worked, next I put our decorations up on the ceiling and I have to say its the first time I have ever felt a bit wobbly and unsafe climbing on to a chair! I told H I will wait till he is in the room next year. I hope its because of my cold and not my age. After that I put my coat on and went to the post office to post a Christmas card to my brother and sister in law in New Zealand. I took the scenic route checking out the village duck pond. When I got home H had finished his ride so we had a coffee and a little later we had our lunch, cheese and biscuits, patte and chutny. YUM. At 1.30. we got ready to drive to my middle brother and sister in laws to deliver cards and gifts. I came home with more than I went with! Some really yummy jam my sister in law has made.They are both looking well I am pleased to say. When we got home we watched a film , I made a pot of tea and we both had a bath. When I came down I cooked dinner, we had smoked haddock, cauliflower, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms and baked potatoes. Now I am watching S C D semi finals.

Friday

We both got up at 6.30. I put on a load of washing and made a pot of tea. We had our breakfast, I had porridge and H had toast. I put yesterdays washing in the tumble drier because there is no chance it will get outside today, its damp and nasty again. We had a coffeeand I did a bit of clearing up till it was time for me to change and get ready to turbo. I rode for an hour quite steadly because I am really full of cold. my nose has been like a tap in full flow and ive hardly stopped sneezing.I did 16.4 miles in the hour. When I finished we had a coffee and a pot noodle. We watched s cycle race , had a cup of tea, watched tipping point, had out baths and i washed my hair. We had quiche for dinner with potato wedges and mushrooms. I have started decorating (christmas) the house and putting the cards up etc. Tomorrow we are delivering presents to my sister in law. We havent seen her or my brother this year, we normally go out to lunch a couple of times a year but covid put a stop to that.

Thursday

I got up at 6 oclock, put on a load of washing and yesterdays in the tumble drier. I had eggs and mushrooms for breakfast. I packed my snack for work, dressed etc and went to work. I had to dig and pick 50 bunches of purple carrots. As soon as they were done I had to walk to the leek bed and arrived the same time as the too men. We trimmed leeks till it was time to go for break, picking the carrots up on the way. After break we all went together and picked 4 boxes of loose carrots, 8 boxes of parsnips, 38 pieces of celeriac and then back to leeks till home time. I hate lifting parsnips, its so hard and now my fingers are so swollen up it hurts to bend them. When I got home I had a coffee, a mince pie and a banana, a quick wash and change and went with H to Halfords to get a bit for his bike. When we got home we had a glass of wine and a biscuit. Later we had a cup of tea and watched tipping point. I had a bath and we had dinner, chicken curry. I dont have to work anymore till Monday so our weekend starts here.

Wednesday

I got up at 6.15, put on a load of washing and yesterdays in the tumble drier. I had eggs and peppers for breakfast, packed my food for work and dressed etc. ready to go.I had to walk to the carrots and Andy joined me after he had dumped some rubbish on the bonfire. We had to do 220 bunches. WE took them to the yard and I laid the first 96 bunches on the racks ready to wash. We had our break and I had to do 30 bunches of beetroot and then leeks. I had done 4 boxes when Andy joined me. We trimmed them till my home time. When I left off I drove to our daughters to collect our shopping. When I got home H made me a coffee while I put all the shopping away. We also had a mince pie. I sat and wrote a few more cards with my cup of tea. I had a bath and then cooked dinner, we had fish, chips and mushy peas. I have to work again tomorrow.

Tuesday.

I got up at 6.30 and put on a load of washing. H had made a pot of tea so I had a cup and then made my porridge. We had a coffee and he went up to ride on the turbo trainer. I thought I would ride in the pain cave this afternoon but in the end I didnt do it. While he was upstairs I popped to the garden centre for an orchid pot because I have got a baby orchid growing halfway up one of my old plants and I am going to try to start a new one. When I got home H had finished his ride so we had a coffee and then I went outside, hung out my washing in the sun and began to clear up the garden. The frost has killed several of my tender plants so I cut some off and some I pulled up. I put them all in the garden rubbish bin. We had the last of yesterdays chicken stew for our lunch, I went back out for more gardening till the sun went in then I went in, taking the washing in with me. I told H I didnt want to ride upstairs because I wanted to decorate the Christmas tree. It took ages but it looks nice. Our grandson came round this afternoon with my birthday present. Part of it was a bottle of wine and H sugested we tried it! VERY NICE. Because we had a big lunch H didnt want me to cook this evening so we just had cheese and biscuits with some of my birthday chutny. Our son got back home safely last night through the fog. Lets hope the weather is better by Christmas. Its work for me tomorrow I hope its a bit warmer than it was on Monday.

Monday

I got up at 5.15,put on s load of washing, made a pot of tea and had eggs and peppers for breakfast. I packed a snack for work and a flask of bovril because its too cold to drink water. I dressed etc and then just sat and watched tele'till it was time for me to go to work. While H was de icing the car I took some chicken breasts out of the freezer so I could make a chicken stew when I get home for dinner tonight. It was horrible at work, so cold. I had to pivk and bunch 18 bunches of beetroot first. The leaves were frozen and covered in a layer of ice which made my hands so cold, I couldnt feel my fingers and it made it so hard to tie the string. Next I had to do 12 bunches of carrots and then trim leeks. They were all frozen into the ground which made it really hard work. The men picked me up when they had finished what they were doing and we went to the yard and washed everything. We had our break and Andrew went off to a gardening job and I had to go with Andy. We had to trim a box of swedes then pick 12 boxes of curly kale and 1 box of black kale. Next I went to carrots and and did 60 bunches, while Andy cut 2 boxes of carrots and dug up a box of parsnips. He picked my carrots up and I walked to the purple cattots and did 6 bunches while he picked just 3 kilo of purple sprouting broccoli. We both went to leeks after that and we needed 6 boxes. we had only trimmed 3 boxes when my alarm went off telling me it was home time. Andy wasnt happy because it meant he would have to go back and do more after his lunch. When I got home H made me a coffee and I had a banana. We had our Advent chocolate too. I made the chicken stew and then sat in the lounge still trying to warm up. My fingers feel quite stiff. I had a bath which warmed me and we had dinner, the stew was very tasty. Our son has just left but he will be back for Christmas. I have to work again on Wednesday.

Frosty Sunday

I didnt get up till almost 7 oclock. I put all yesterdays washing into the tumble drier but I didnt turn it on becsuse its right underneath our sons bedroom and I didnt want to disturb him. I had my breakfast then just sat and read my book till he came down then I turned it on, took the meat out of the freezer and we had a cup of coffee. we all sat about chatting and waiting for the temperature to go up a bit so we could go out on our bikes. It hardly rose at all and H said it was too cold for him so just son and I went out. we rode on the track and road, missing out the most muddy places. I enjoyed the ride which was 19 miles but son got a puncture half way round. He pumped it up and it got him a mile and a half but then it was flat again so he took his wheel out and changed the tube. Standing about my feet got cold. As soon as we got home son hosed the bikes down while I made him a salad. I had a stick of celery spread with brie and a cup of coffee. We had a roast dinner this evening, son btought home a Waitrose beef joint home and it was delicous. We had roast potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts and gravy. They had apple and cream for dessert but I had a chocolate milkshake. I have had a nice weekend but its over too quickly.

Saturday.

I got up at 5.30, put on a load of washing and had porridge for my breakfast. I sat and read my book till H came down and after he had eaten his breakfast he made us a coffee. I took some steaks snd sausages out of the freezer for dinner tonight. I did a bit of clearing up and when I went into the hall to vacum the postman had been with another Christmas card. I hadnt even got mine out so I thought I had better get started on writing some out. So far I have written out 22cards and envelopes. This is extra good because some of them had my yearly letter written in them too. H went up to turbo, he rode 40 miles. We had another coffee when he finished and he had a bowl of tomato soup. I got a salad for our son and I had celery with cheese. When he had eaten his salad he got ready to go out with his training rings which he was going to hook up a tree and hang around! After he had exersised he went for a walk before coming home. We all had a cup of tea and I cooked dinner. Son and I had ribeye steaks, H had lamb sreak, we all had a sausage and H and I had chips and peas while son had a stir fry with his. We had apple and cream for pud.

Friday

I was awake at 4 oclock this morning with something in my eye, it was so painfull. I dont know what it was but I couldnt get it out. I have an 'eye bath' so when I got up I used it to wash my eye, it didnt help. I put on a load of washing and had porridge for my breakfast. I put yesterdays washing into the tumble drier because it was raining again. We put the bin out and I walked to the letterbox to post a letter and when I got home we had a coffee. H went up to turbo and I tidied the kitchen. I stood all my birthday cards up, looked out of the window and it was snowing! When H finished his ride we had a coffee and a cheese and ham sandwich. This afternoon both our sons came round so they got the chance to chat. NO 2 son went for a run and this afternoon I had a turbo. I did 18 and a bit miles, its hot work. For dinner tonight H and I had quiche and potato wedges. NO1 son went home and no 2 son cooked his own dinner which he had brought with him, venison with stir fry broccoli, sprouts and mushrooms. It smelt delicous. I had a bath and washed my hair.

My birthday 🍰

I got up at 5.20 and put on a load of washing. I had eggs and a mug of tea for breakfast and then opened all my cards and presents.I have some lovely gifts, all my favourite things, flowers, chocolates, gin, wine, books, candles, earrings, chocolate etc. I am so lucky. Ipacked my lunch, dressed, and got ready to go to work. It was a horrible morning, wet and cold. I had to go with Andy and we had to do 9 boxes of parsnips, its not a nice job you have to scrabble about in the mud and drag them out with your hands, my fingers are quite swollen up this evening. Next we had to get 50 pieces of celeriac and take them to the yard to wash. After break I had to pick 44 bunches of beetroot, 72 bunches of carrots and 36bunches of purple carrots.Andy joined me on carrots and when they were done we just had time to trim 1 box of leeks before hometime. When I left off the boss told me he wouldnt need me tomorrow after all, what a bonus. H made me a cuppa soup and Imhad a mince pie. I had loads of birthday messages and face time with our daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter. I ca nt bear my face being on my Ipad but it was worth it to see them all. We had a glass of wine, watched tipping point, had our baths and I got dinner. We had spaghetti bolognase. I must say I didnt ever think I would still be working when I was 82, but I dont think its done me any harm.

Wednesday (my birthdays eve).

I got up at 5.50,put on a load of washing, made a pot of tea and had egg and peppers for breakfast. I packed my lunch, dressed, hung out the washing and went to work. I had to go with Andy straight away and we trimmed leeks till coffee break. After break I had to do 24 bunches of beetroot. They take ages because i have to pull all the dead leaves off and then I dont have much leaf and stalk left to tie them into bunches. Next I pulled up 6 boxes of loose carrots and went to leeks again and trimmed them for the rest of the morning. When I left off I drove straight to our daughters and picked up our groceries. She gave me 2 gift bags, one from her and her hubby, and onre from our oldest granddaughter. Then she popped indoors and came back out with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Roses, lillies and greenery. Our youngest granddaughter gave me wine and black magic chocolates. I havent opened anything yet not even my cards, I am waiting till tomorrow. Iwas frozen when I got home and it took me ages to warm up. I had a coffee and a mince pie. I read a bit of my book, we watched tipping point, had our baths and then dinner. Fish cakes, mushy peas and baked potatoes. I have to work again tomorrow.

1st of December!

I got up at 6.50. So a bit of a lay in. I made a pot of tea and a bowl of porridge for my breakfast. I sat and read my book till H came down, we had a coffee and I carried on reading till our son got up. H got the bikes out of the garage and I hung yesterdays washing on the line. We all got ready to go for a ride. It was quite chilly but I soon warmed up. We went along the bridal way that goes round the N D R to show our son. We didnt go all the way because it began to rain so we turned back. We rode almost 23 miles. When we got home H hosed the bikes down while I prepared lunch, salad. I read a bit more of my book, made an apple crumble, had a bath and cooked dinner. We had a mixed grill, belly pork, steak, sausages, liver, mushrooms, eggs, potato wedges and fried leeks. It was nice. The apple crumble was ok but I have to make the crumble with cocoanut flour because son has gluten intolerance so the crumble doesnt go crispy and, of course it tastes different. He has to go back this evening but it has been great seeing him again, its ages since his last visit. I have to work again tomorrow.