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.