Ah, the days are getting longer...

and we are getting closer to Spring.  Yes, yes, I know that we could have snow, ice and all the other horrors of winter weather but just at the moment I am enjoying the mixed warmer weather.  Sorry that people are suffering from flooding but it has been fairly entertaining here to take Hattie the Smellie out on to the field in my wellies and attempt to clear the path of sodden leaves and generally have a fun time throwing and retrieving sticks, balls and plastic bottles which Hattie loves to chew - source of the pong, perhaps?  Me throwing and Hattie retrieving, obviously. 

She is a great little character but I have been a bit out of charity with her over the last few days as she is such a scavenger, she sucks up all her food so that she can clear the cats' dishes (two of our own and two ferals), hence the fishy breath and the occasional projectile vomiting.  Have rearranged her feeding schedule to several small meals a day and shutting out of the kitchen during kitty feeding frenzy.  Thus far, all good.  DD points out that she needs some fun time to keep her occupied and goodness knows, those worried little eyes peering up at me as she tries to frantically decipher what I want of her fill me full of guilt.  (So saying, she has just been madly barking at something in the back garden which caused BH to trip out there with her, stepping in a puddle and swearing worse than on Baby Jesus's Birthday - no burglar in sight but dripping slippers - oh dear, Hattie).

Indoor cat number 1 is squashed up on the seat behind me as I type, whereas Indoor cat number 2 likes to sit behind me on the chair in the kitchen as I eat.  Hattie just likes to sit on me or around me on any chair, sofa, floor or car-seat.  Feral cats 1 and 2 just like to fire in and out of the house in a bid to coax more food out of us, and they like to sit on the garden chairs.  Should possibly rename the house  The Cathouse...Kitty Towers....perhaps not. Probably fairer to rename it The Ponderosa on account of all the cowboys BH has had working here.  Unkind?  Perhaps.

Yesterday, DD and I took BH to change his present at TKMaxx and must say their customer service was excellent, no problems whatsoever, very helpful. 

 I  first had to visit the Eye Hospital emergency unit though as left eye, which had been most uncomfortable for past few days, was swollen, sticky and very sore.  Absolutely cracking service - a wonderful nurse practitioner had a good look and detected a splinter stuck in there which was causing trouble.  She whisked it out in a nano-second, cleaned it and sent me happily on my way with antibiotics and artificial tears as she said my eyes were in desperate need of moisturising.  Could that have anything to do with the tropical heat generated by BH?

And yes, the wood stove appears to be getting better and better so many thanks to Gary of the wood stove company for his wise advice and help.  Also his recommendation of the organic firelighters which are very good indeed.

Will this trend continue through 2013?  I do hope so. 

DD and I called to M&S to exchange something and on trolling back through Selfridges to the car park, discov ered they had installed a bijou Primarni - very well set out and the staff were a joy.  DD bought some promising out fits and I bought two blouses, one of which fits perfectly and t'other which feels like a couple of sizes too small so that will have to be returned along with one or two other things purchased in the pre-Christmas madness.  Primarni, too, have a first class customer service in place.

Made an absolutely gorgeous chicken casserole today followed by some very tart and tasty apricots mmmm as Andi would say, and all the cats were going frantic as I cut up the chicken thighs - so much more flavoursome than breast.

DD gave me some splendid nail polish for Christmas - one turquoise, one gold metallic which combined to make a striking effect, and one magnetic one which she tried out and which looks good, though not quite up to the turquoise/gold combo.  Need desperately to get hair cut and coloured soon.  Am beginning to resemble some flat-headed grey-haired old bint, albeit with red streaks still intact.  One asks oneself if one shouldn't tone down the hair colouring now that one is approaching such a great age, and one replies: Sod that for a game of soldiers.

A quiet and lovely Christmas

Quite a frantic Christmas Eve despite having done the shopping, as I thought.   All presents bought and mostly wrapped, food in, apart from what DD was bringing across on Sunday (a rather yummy organic chicken from Abel and Cole together with organic mince pies for DD and BH).  Woken up on Christmas Eve morning by a frantic picture framer suffering from streaming cold and begging me to collect my paintings which he had managed to frame and bring money so he could get his wife's Christmas present!  Aaagh.  Had to leg it to Boots to get BH's prescription which was wrong but which was subsequently found to be my fault (ooops).  Then man from Macclesfield stove installers rang (at 11.40am) to say magic powder for chimney flue had arrived  and if we got a wiggle on and arrived at said establishment before 1pm when he was going to close for Christmas, we could pick it up and start administering it to our ailing chimney flue.  Tore across as best we could being mightily hampered by the abortion that is the Poynton Stay Safe for All Conservation Area which restricts traffic in every direction bar vertically.  Bah!  Might as well be Conversation Area as one can only converse to pedestrians, cyclists and surrounding vehicles and people whilst watching wistfully as motorists break free of this distrastrous arrangement and speed away to freedom....yes, Poynton, the arsehole of Cheshire. 

And so arrived at Macclesfield, sweating and swearing, at 12.55pm where kindly old stove installer Gary awaited us with magic powder, magic words of advice, magic logs to light sulky stove and magic firelighters which smell beautifully of pine and not at all of paraffin.  Aaah.  And a partridge in a pear tree.  ~Would always go back to this man as he understands what customer service REALLY means - and it's not just some catch-all phrase to fool the punters.

On return journey, decided to visit framer although realised - too late! that neither BH nor I had any ready cash on us.  Not even a chequebook (which some people despise but I like - like it better when it is in my handbag but we can't all be perfect), so had to promise to return over Christmas with the moolah.  And he has made a super super job of my huge painting even though he has cut it in two.  The framing is wonderful and I have quite fallen in love with my own painting.  A major first. 

~Arriving back home, we disccovered DD ensconced in kitchen, her rescue cats in situ in her bedroom, and tea steaming gently in cups - woooonderful.  She was then enlisted into whole regime of applying magic powder, firelighters, logs etc etc and the fire sulked the whole night long.  Our gas bill will be horrendous this winter.  Generally mellowed out over the evening even though the television programmes were CRAP CRAP CRAP. 

Christmas Day dawned to the sound of swearing from BH as he attempted to extricate himself from his drey.  Told him not to swear at Christmas or, as DD put it: "that's so bad on baby Jesus's birthday" and so it went on throughout the day as we  swore as we burned ourselves, stabbed ourselves etc in the ritual cooking, tripped over the dog...you get the picture.

BH not up to much on his arrival downstairs so DD and I had breakfast and took Hattie the Smellie Dog on a three mile walk which did wonders for us.  Nice to stroll along and wish passers-by a merry Christmas in a civilised manner without being pushed out of the way with a snarled comment and sour face.  Would that it was so throughout the rest of the year. 

Eventually opened presents around tea time and a lovely set of gifts they were too.  Many laughs involved, some gorgeous things and some things to be exchanged (see today's portion).

Had yummy chicken meal, no pud - couldn't face it, champagne cocktails with rather slightly over the hill Veuve Clicquot which someone must have given me many moons ago.  Think I may still have a bottle of port hidden away that I received about ten years ago.  Will it still be drinkable?

Entertaining day and today; had a bit of a moment trying to find the framer's house from a different angle.  We must have approached from five different roads and still it took us about an hour to get there.  Pushed money through letterbox and ran.  Tried to exchange BH's present from BS and BBIL but no receipt so thwarted.  Exchange DD's earphones and shall do same with sable brushes etc during next day or so.

DD now gone off to retrieve her partner from Wales so shall not see her till tomorrow some time and in the meantime have been left in charge of errant rescue cats who have, to be fair, been exceptionally well behaved.  And that, I think, brings us up to date.  Except that the fire is still sulking despite the application of the magic powder which burns with an eerie green glow.....one feels like suspending a cauldron over the whole caboodle but it would take three years to boil toe of frog or eye of newt at the moment....BUT BH produced some powdery ash and lumps of bitumen from the back of the stove this morning so something must be working....and it ain't me.

Another exciting day in down-town Longsight..

had a bit of a frantic day trotting to Macclesfield yesterday to visit wood stove shop to discover what ailment our wood stove is suffering from and magically, the man told us we need to throw on some teabaggy things which clear bitumen off chimney walls which no amount of rodding will do.  But they are out of stock and we await a phone call to tell us when to pick some up.  Bought some other necessities - half a ton of kindling etc - and returned home. 

Visited dentist on Monday to replace wobbly filling - unnerving but not painful.  Wonder why it has to be such a very long syring and needle to get into gum.  Seems like waiting for Christmas before it actually ends.  Still, very quick.  Have to return on 3 January though for rest of 'heavily restored' peggies to be inspected and buffed up or removed as the occasion warrants.

Got some excellent books from library - latest Mma Ramotswe book and latest Bill Slider book which I was devouring until I heard Hattie the Incontinent barking her little head off at 3.10 am.  Peered out of window to spy two police cars parked outside and officers strolling up back street.  Despite my best meerkat imitation (and BH's, too), we could not fathom what was going on so went back to book and to sleep.  This morning, neighbour tells me we have had some itinerant man and his dog sleeping in his van outside our gates.  Visions of Alan Bennett's old lady in a van parked in his drive floated through my brain.  May try to catch a glimpse tonight but do not see myself sallying out with tea and crumpets for him - or his dog.  Bad enough I have about 37 feral cats to feed in addition to my own menagerie.

Drove to sister's best friend's house last night with DD to collect presents sent down from Scotland on the Santa Express.  They have two completely bonkers springer spaniels who are nutty but sweet and quite exhausting.  Realised I had forgotten to add other bits and pieces, but shall see her in January and will pass them on then.  She is coming down for my birthday which, she tells me, is a Big One.  Sod that - I am only 17 in the brain so I refuse to admit being any older.

Today went to request Christmas presription for BH, found another fireplace shop which will order the teabaggy things for our stove if I pay them £30 in ready cash (they charge £3 to use a card!), went to buy last minute gifts for DD, was covered in fake snow by some company filming nearby and returned home, knackered and wet.

But after nice meal, watched Last Tango In Halifax, a heartwarming TV series with Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid and Sarah Lancashire - apparently based on a real life experience.  Anne Reid is such a versatile actress - she can go villainesses or warm mumsy ladies with the greatest of ease.  Lovely.  Hope there will be another series.  And on that note, shall retire to bed with book after checking if our back street lodger is in residence.

Rain, rain, rain - wood stove, wood stove, wood stove

Yes, I am truly fed up of the wood stove saga even though I have today received an email from t'council which seems promising.  The stove and chimney have been swept, rodded, cleaned and riddled in every direction so that one thinks the inside of the chimney ought by now to be totally pristine yet still the stove sulks and still BH throws on ever increasing numbers of fire lighters - something which is strictly verboten but try telling him that.

So off to Macclesfield tomorrow to interview supplier to see if he can tell us what might be wrong.  Feel like ripping the damned thing out and putting back a grate for an open fire.  How much that would cost is worrying but I am absolutely fraught with the whole thing.  in addition, if I have to live with the central heating on constantly and four hot water bottles in bed every night, I may shrivel up into a dried old plum.  I may do that anyway.

And so to dentist today to replace waggly old filling. And once again he remarked that my teeth are heavily restored - have heard this so many times, I begin to feel like an antique French bed..  Probably look like one too.He is very forgiving and keeps trying to keep the old peggies going as long as possible before we revert to the dreaded denture.  And so I probably ought not to be crunching brazil nuts...but I do enjoy them so and they are full of something good for me, I'm sure.  Possibly not so the chocolate, but what the hey - that's how we roll.

Exchanged defective kettle from Sainsburys - no fuss at all.  They are so good at customer service.  Gold star from me.

The drive (hahahah, the patch of mud in front of the house) is awash with huge puddles which I have to splash through on my way to and from the car, often loaded up.  The patio bricks outside the house have sunk with the weight of water - and, to be fair, to years of pounding while we split the logs there - and that is awash too.  So today have changed shoes twice, coat twice and hat three times as dripping wet.  Dog dripping wet every time she goes out - she, like me, has a belly which is quite low slung and thus gets wet even in a light morning dew.  Dog towelled dry about 10 times so far today.  May hae to get a separate washer and dryer for dog stuff....

Exciting call about summer exhibition for art group.  Arranged to view venue and talk turkey in January.  I may even talk mince pies if the lady is so inclined....

Enough, the Christmas spirit is taking hold.

Good day at Art Gallery

with some more of my art class friends, about 5 of them.  Wandered around gallery looking for something to sketch.  Impressed with the way in which the City Art Gallery has been revamped under the leadership of the new Director, although not so impressed with all the video installation and teeny tiny photographs taking over a whole room.  But the new displays and the way in which items from other galleries (Costume, for example) have been mixed with old favourites is very good indeed.

And the current exhibition, The First Cut, is simply stunning,  shall try to get there again before it closes in January.  Ended up sketching art students at work in the gallery as it was just too bloody cold to do anything else.  Absolutely freezing.  The poor assistants manning the desk in the entrance hall must have been half dead with cold.  some better solution is surely available.  Had a laugh, chat and a glutenfree chocolate slice before departing for home, clutching my faux leopardskin print coat tightly around me.  My God, my chest and ears were cold.  It may be time for a thermal bonnet - how lowering.  And sadly, for the first time ever, I didn't find anything in the shop to tempt me to buy.

Have still not spoken to Carphonewarehouse about my missing phone, nor TalkTalk.  So that must be done tomorrow, together with ringing Didsbury Parsonage about August exhibition, Inspire at Levy about printing workshop, the man about the multi-fuel conversion kit for the wood stove, and the bloody framer who has still not done my painting!!  Aarrrgh!  Also still not found my missing bank card so I suppose I'll have to apply for a replacement, also my credit card.  I know I have simply mislaid them but I'm jiggered if I can find them.

Went to Emmaus last Saturday (or E-Mouse as DD calls it) in Mossley to find a desk for her and amazingly they had a great selection and we picked one that I think might be a G-plan piece of furniture.  At all events, it is wood, not MDF, and has a functioning lock.  But it was too big for her car so we must return this weekend in our car to pick it up.  How delightful it will be.

BH is busy making his famous corned beef hash.  Had some at the weekend and it was so delicious that I have asked him to make it again.  It will go down a treat on this particularly freezing night.  Hope to goodness this is not a foretaste of the rest of the winter.  On the positive side, after next week, the days will start to lengthen again and it will soon be time to see the lovely spring flowers arrive.  Before then, Christmas!

Stuffed like a Strasbourg Goose

Oh what a glorious meal at Jamie's today with seven of my former workmates.  A wonderful catch-up session on all the gossip, who's been made redundant, who's being naughty and with whom - great.

The meal was simply splendid, as was the gorgeous Jamie's prosecco which accompanied the starters.  Ate so much, I feel I could burst.  Lovely waitress - all the staff are simply splendid - who seemed to actually like our company.  Discussed family matters, which books to read (sad that books have superseded sex in our discussions...).  We left in a suitably happy Christmassy mood, big hugs all round and the determination to meet up again in March at some suitable venue - preferably not quite as expensive but we'll see.

And had been at Jamie's on the Monday evening for our Christmas session of the reading group.  Again super food.  Shameful discussion of the book - only two people had actually read it, but I have rectified that since - but a masterly organisation of us by another member and we have a book list for 2013 somewhere on our blog which might at least mean that we get to read some books, if not all.  Another companionable and entertaining evening.

Still experiencing problems with wood stove though BH and I (and BH and minion previously) rodded the chimney, got the rods stuck, swore (a  lot), messed about and eventually freed the recalcitrant rod.  But still the bloody fire is sulky.  Wonder if Santa Claus got stuck in the chimney on a pre-Christmas trial run?  He won't have liked the rods up his sack....

And so tomorrow must go to DD's home to check up on her two rescue cats as she is in Dublin on a weekend jolly leaving said cats with food in timer containers and enough cat-litter for the elephant house.  BH and I to go and pet them tomorrow and check all is well before DD returns to Manchester.

In between, MBF rang to suggest a trip to Didsbury Art Gallery as we both need to view it as a possible venue for a summer exhibition for our art group.  So cats will not have more than half an hour of my time.  Perhaps could go later?  Will see how things pan out.  May take MBF back with me to soothe kitties.

Dear friend in hospital as a result of a reaction to chemo - bit worrying and quite shaming to read his blog and see how brave he is.  Hope he is soon back at home and feeling more himself.  Thankfully he is surrounded by a large army of friends and well-wishers and his family are coming up to see him soon.

BS rang while I was out for a chat.  Must ring her back tomorrow to see what the scoop is.  Probably aboout presents and so on.

Must ring Carphonewarehouse, too, about my smart phone which is so bloody smart it has spent over a month in the Poorly Phone Hospital with no word to me on its problems, its rehabilitation or its return.  i shall NOT  be paying for a month's data which I have missed, Mr TalkTalk.

Wood stoves and Defra

Yet another visit from the council officials about our wood stove.  They have 'continuously' received ' numerous complaints',  Well, and from where, one wonders?  And why, if they are unhappy, have they not called round to talk about it?

Said council official thundered that he could see black smoke coming from our chimney.  Challenged him to have a look and there was a slight heat haze drifting from the chimney.  Thankfully, dear man who sold us stove and installed it has no patience with such officialdom and threatens to drown them in Defra compliance paperwork.  We await the next instalment.

In between, have had to order large pile of pre-cut and dried logs as ours currently seem to consist of some rather damp fruitwood.  Hope it last us over the winter as am really tired of sawing, chopping and gathering.  The gratitude of numerous animals as they curl in front of stove is some consolation, and BH, although he is usually packed into blankets and hot water bottles on the sofar in front of the fire, plus the central heating.  Can't believe how cold our house can be considering all the bloody insulation BH packed into it when he built it.  Am seriously considering lining kitchen with t&g to provide a bit more warmth and insulation, while front room - well, can't do anything with that unless and until I get rid of the two vile pixie couches, a bed and two wardrobes from the Room of Doom....and don't think I feel strong enough these days to decorate.

Ah well, have had fun trying to organise art club programme and feel that I am getting somewhere very very slowly.  It's the venues that are the trouble.

In class today, trying to produce some kind of Greenheys project which is escaping me somewhat although I have downloaded lots of photos and maps and suchlike which perhaps can be incorporated into some kind of artwork.  At our last art class tomorrow with another tutor, I think we are probably going to finish off our Lowry project which has absorbed me much more than I could ever have imagined.

Then on Saturday, I am going with DD and her tutor to sketch at Clayton Hall - a moated building - in Manchester!  I know!  Exciting, isn't it?

Dear friends still struggling with chemo treatments - sounds utterly vile and think they must be very brave to undergo it.

Dearest sister tells me she has booked train down from the wilds of Scotland - well, the Borders - to visit in January, so am looking forward to that immensely.  Haven't seen as much of her this year as usual - down to illness, work and so on.  Must try and win lottery so can help charities and take sis on lovely cruise again.   Ah, I can dream, can't I?  And I have two lovely meals at Jamie's on the horizon - woohoo.

Yummy Sleeping Beauty

Went to see the Matthew Bourne production of Sleeping Beauty at the Lowry yesterday and it was sumptuous, spellbinding and totally absorbing.  Loved it so much would gladly go again, and shall certainly look out for his other productions.  Lady next to me in the theate was obviously a big fan as she reeled off all the other productions she and her friend had seen.  Must admit the bare foot dancing spoiled me a bit for the usual thump thump of the ballet shoes... 
DD's best friend from Uni came across the Pennines to join us for the ballet and stayed with DD overnight.  She is due to join her husband in California very soon and is obviously a bit ambivalent about it, knowing that it is a great opportunity but worried about losing touch.  Lovely girl, like the rest of DD's uni friends.
Had yummy meal in the Lowry restaurant, too.  DD had great mackerel dish with something like beetroot jam, but my pork and glencannon were heavenly, as was the spiced plum, parking and toffee ice cream.  Mmm-mmm!

Didn't really deserve it as had ferocious row with BH early in the morning - quite out of line and though I apologised, it left me feeling very bad about it.  Darling Daughter is such a good sweet girl, she talked me out of my bad temper and made me feel I wasn't such a disgusting animal after all.  Love her to bits.

Today dawned very cold and bright.  needed desperately to do some sawing of logs and chopping of kindling but saw out of commission for some reason so problems lighting wood stove.  It's like some monster, demanding ever more wood to keep the home fires burning and our toes all toasty.  Thank God for hot water bottles!

Lovely Martina dug me out of my stupor and we took Hattie for a longish walk along the Fallowfield Loop.  It looked quite forest-like and inviting in the bright sunlight.  lots of dog-walkers and cyclists - no joggers - all very civilised wishing each other good morning.  How nice.  Hattie in her element and behaved very nicely to other dogs.  First time Martina had met her and she was quite pleased to have control of the lead.  Think Hattie may have swayed her into thinking about a small dog when Martina's 'house rabbit' passes on to that great rabbit pie in the sky.

Have been busy trying to arrange a programme of events for our art group taking us to next May and although great fun, it can be tedious waiting to correlate venues and events and dates.  But still, looking good.  And managed to post some photos to facebook page so must be getting a bit better at the techno stuff.

Bonfires and other fun

What a busy day yesterday and today.  Running to and fro trying to pay water bill, send cheques off for Christmas meal, take car to garage for checking of anti-freeze (and brrrr! it was cold last night) and changing of indicator bulbs (who knew that the colour fades over time and I had been driving around with white lights instead of red?), and sawing wood (sawdust in eyes again, and down bra and in shoes and in hair, eyebrows...... 

Then trying to gather together wood for the neighbours' kids' bonfire from the vast store of scrap and crap wood which BH has insisted on hoarding in the front drive as an insurance again cold winter nights.  Was working in the dark as security light outside has gone, like so many other things.  Almost there when I trod on a nail - not too painful but punctured skin so  bathing of foot and swearing and insistence on BH preparing chips to soothe me. 

This morning it occurred to me that it is well over 20 years since I had a tetanus jab so hopped along to the MRI after calling to collect mine and DD's paintings from our local art exhibition.

Service very fast and extremely efficient in A&E.  Impressive.  Especially the young Spanish nurse who had a giggle at my name which is something very rude in Spanish.  Think that and the fact that I could mumble a few Spanish phrases at him helped to push me to the front of the queue!

Got Death comes to Pemberley by P D James and I, Claudius by Robert Graves from the library - wonder if they will be good enough to recommend to our reading group?

Walked into kitchen to find little feral kitten up on worktop eating food for dog which I had just deposited in her dish.  How cheeky.  I should love to be able to catch it and take it to vets but would probably get slashed to ribbons if I try to pick it up, never mind what it would do to vet.  And we are non grattata at the vets these days.  Not only did the farty dog wee all over him, but DD's cat (she has recently adopted two from RSPCA) crapped all over the cat basket (mine - well, my cats' basket) and their cushions but vet and DD had to drag crap-covered cat out of basket, dispose of said crap-covered cushions and treat cat. And strangely, said cat basket has been returned to the mother-ship, allegedly bleached and cleaned.  Hmmmmm.  So vet not enthralled with any of our animals at the present.

And it's been a long long time again..

since I last posted.  Life has been a bit depressing, a bit busy and lots funny at times - pretty much as usual, really.

BH and I both succumbed to a vicious chest infection which has necessitated strong anti-biotics (twice for BH), resulting in a most unattractive trout pout which made me look like a northern version of Marg Simpson with red hair, not blue.  BH still rattly in the chest which is not good but have got him taking large quantities of vitamin C in the hope of setting him up for the winter.  Flu jabs for us both in a few days - ah, the delights of winter. 

Old friends on long round of hospital appointments and treatments and soldiering on regardless.

Rush and splutter as our art exhibition approached and we spent an entertaining few days organising it, hanging it and manning the church for visitors.  All very jolly and some of our work has sold so we must be getting better!  Now to collect our works and arrange some workshops to keep us busy through the winter months.  We also need to pick a date for our Spring exhibition and try to improve on the last three we have held, all of which have been remarkably successful considering we are such an amateur group.

In between, our reading group held at Jamie's was well attended, the divine Cookie travelling up from Lincolnshire to join us and then, as finishing main course, phone call from DD's other half to say locked out at home.  Having no money on me (I do try to model myself on the dear old departed Queen Mum and carry no money if I can get someone else to pay for me), I too had to rely on DD paying my tab and taking me home after taking keys back to her house.

Smelly dog continues to entertain me and BH has been taking her out these last couple of weeks and it seems to have done them both good.  Smelly dog less smelly but upset by fireworks.  Do wish they would stop selling fireworks until the day before Bonfire Night and the night before New Year's Eve - or restrict fireworks to organised displays.

have been enjoying my art classes though haven't a clue what I'm doing most of the time!

DD's birthday soon so must try to sort out some presents for her, perhaps a visit to Craft Fair on Sunday or possibly a trip to Manchester - who  knows?

Have been busy trying to sort out wood for Bonfire Night and also trying to make head or tail of Ikea's kitchen section in an attempt to revamp my kitchen.  The more I puzzle over all the measurements and so on, the more convinced I am that I need a makeover programme to sort me out...

It's been a long, long time...

since I last posted.  In the meantime, bad news about three friends, all got cancer and all about to undergo radiotherapy or chemo.  This year has just been so bad from this point of view.  Nothing one can do other than offer help and keep in touch and what does one say to lift the spirits?

Luckily for me, the small smelly dog can cheer me up on the gloomiest day which is good because at the moment, it feels as though we ought to be building an ark, the amount of rain we have had over the past two or three days - a month's rain over night, I believe.  I don't particularly hate rain, it's the gloomy grey clouds and light which accompany these monsoon type downpours.  Would love a pair of lightweight waterproof boots - like a pair of Crocs but not holey.

Have spent the last couple of weeks trying to sort out new bank account and pension payments which appear to have been going to someone else who, thank God, has rung up the Pension people to sort out.  Chastised by nice pension lady about checking my bank statements more thoroughly - like that's going to happen.  Well, it will for a couple of months and then i shall revert to my slovenly ways yet again.

Shocking news about the deaths of two young policewomen in our area by some one-eyed weirdo.  At the same time, big hooha about a one-warmed weirdo being deported to Jordan, the Hamza idiot.  He should have been sent ages ago.  Our whole legal system has been reduced to a shambles by virtue of letting the Euro-idiots take control of our courts and who want to protect criminals' "human rights".  What about victims' "human rights"?  In any sane country, a criminal forfeits h is "human rights" when he commits a crime against the law-abiding community and we shouldn't need permission from a load of Brussels louts.

JAMIES A-GO-GO

I feel that I have joined the staff of Jamies restaurant, I have been there so often in the last few days.  Friday lunch with a gaggle of former workmates, all crazy, gossipy, great fun to be with - we had a lovely meal which we enjoyed greatly.  We used the Secretary's Room but we have now tried to book the Manager's Room for lunch early in  December as our Christmas treat but so many people are trying to do the same that it will probably be a lottery.  Ah well, it doesn't matter as long as they give us one of the long tables up on the gallery.  A great time full of fun and reminiscences.  Am looking forward to next reunion in December.

Then on Saturday went to Mossley and Uppermill with DD and had a most splendiferous time in the charity shops and a cute cafe.  Weather brilliant.  it always is when the kids have gone back to school.

Sunday had a stinking migraine so to bed with minimal dog walking.  Monday, Hattie back at the vet to have stitches removed.  Went early but animals queueing out in the road and beyond - like trying to cram everyone onto the Ark.  So returned in afternoon and saw sad sight of beautiful rottweiler, very young-looking, whose legs had gone and who had to be put to sleep, poor thing.  Hattie disgraced herself badly.  Slobbered all over puppy sitting on knee of man next to me then nearly took head off kindly and sentimental spaniel who was trying to slobber on puppy from opposite side - shameful.  Then did a Maria Callas when the vet approached her with the scalpel to remove stitches and ended up in an iron mask type contraption to stop her snarling and biting.  In desperation, she peed all over the vet, then all over the nurse and all over her lead.  We dripped our way through the waiting room, ponging all the way.  What a diva!  but I love her.  As DD would say, we are now "non grattata" at the vets.

Tuesday lunchtime back at Jamies with old councillor friend who has been going through it with her husband and her friends (as have we).  Most enjoyable meal and chat which progressed as we drifted down to the Art Gallery.  Passed on the African art festival as requiring too much of our attention and had a genteel cup of Earl Grey before reparing homewards.

Today forgot birthday of dear friend.  Knew it was today's date, just didn't know today was today's date.  Who am I?  What planet am I on?

Enrolled for one of my art classes this afternoon and managed to get exhibition dates sorted out for late October with an exciting workshop some time in November, I hope.
MDB enrolled in sculpture class which we both did a couple of years ago and it was hysterically funny, a laugh a minute.  But don't think I can afford to do that as well as two art classes. 

Saw TV programme tonight which said children in Manchester poorest in Britain as most single parents get less than £17,000 per year.  Hah! Try being a pensioner on less than £7,000 a year but with all the same bills as if we were earning four or five times that amount.  And still they keep building more and more stupid flats for those either with more money than sense or who have access to more benefits than sense....

Anyway, they can't possibly have as much fun as we happy few who are over the top in age and in work ethics and experience and oh - just over the top with fun.

Groggy Doggy

Poor Hattie, still suffering the after-effects of the doggy anaesthetic on Monday.  Vet removed either huge puppy or big cyst and left her with a severely wrinkled tum held together with some big stitches which are to be removed on 3 September if not before.  She is certainly full of woe and has taken to insinuating herself beside BH on sofa, tucked up under a couple of blankets and cuddling close to his face so that when she yawns, he gets the full blast of her bad breath.  A bit worrying not to see her bouncing about but as vet cautioned against exercise other than gentle stroll for toilet purposes, it's probably for the best and BH is most protective of her.  And the cats are treating her with respect at last.  For how long, I wonder?

Still waiting for Defra kit for wood stove and getting daily whining remarks about the wait for a blazing hot stove from BH.  Feel as if I ought to knit him some kind of sheepskin insulated sleep suit....

Have been tied up a lot over last couple of weeks, sorting things out for our art group.  Many phone calls to tutors, possible venues and trying to conform to all legal aspects, the dreaded health and safety crap (COSH to you), funding, and so on and so on. We are organising some exciting workshops (woohoo) and our autumn exhibition so lots of Q&A sessions among members.  The most tedious aspect of setting up this group is the insurance - what greedy grasping so-and-sos these insurance companies are - they'd take your last penny but refuse to pay out when a genuine accident happens.  May they fry in hell along with bankers, lawyers, corporate raiders, drug dealers, murderers and policiticans.  Not that I'm over-reacting...and the list is not exclusive...

Went sketching with group in Walkden Gardens yesterday - a beautiful place, very well tended.  Modelled on Hidcote, it's a series of garden rooms - many places to catch an artist's eye so we must arrange a return visit and hope to have the weather with us.  And it's not long before our classes resume - hurrah!

Am such a clot, missed meeting old friend at Jamies restaurant on Tuesday - totally mistook the date. God, how thick am I? Rescheduled for 4 September. Reading group there on 3 September, and meeting group of former workmates there on 30 August! Am getting the full Italian flavour even if I can't get to Italy. Not that I could go anyway unless I renew my passport - it always helps. Would so love to be in Rome, and would adore to visit Sicilly - full of history, good food, wonderful buildings - aaaaahhhhhh. 

And it looks as though the beginners' Italian classes that I wanted to start is no longer on offer - bastardo!

Awaiting a Defra set

Never thought I would be writing those words!  It seems that I can buy a kit which ensures that our woodburning stove will comply with Defra regulations so have sent off for one.  ~Apparently I could also get a kit to convert it into a multi-fuel appliance.  Am very taken with idea but BH doing his usual Steptoe Senior impersonation at the outlay.  As he has just laid out approximately £2,000 on car insurance, tax, MOT and so on, perhaps he has a point.

So don't think it would be wise to ask him to pay for Hattie the Slapper to be neutered....nor pay for my hair to be cut and coloured - nor for my many projected outings.  Seem to have booked myself into Jamies on at least three occasions throughout August - yay!

Hattie's bottie seems to be clearing up well though am not in market for anal inspections of canines; indeed not in market for anal inspections of any species.  The braying like a donkey is apparently down to her having a very long upper palate which means she sucks in a loose piece of palate down her windpipe when she gets excited.  Vet said very expensive operation to shorten palate could be done but as it only happens when she gets very excited and I can easily distract her and therefore calm her down, no point unless problem gets really bad.  Good job she doesn't play the mouth organ - it would be hell sucking and blowing and braying and choking.....Larry Adler would never have been impressed.

Meeting of pet art group this morning.  Quite a lot achieved and everything done in according with mine and MBF's wishes.  Hurrah!  So now must try to get workshop sorted as soon as possible and then the exhibition.  Also must do minutes and get them out to members so no excuse for complaints.  How very dare they.

hair done tomorrow and Chatsworth House on Sunday for MYF's birthday treat - woohoo!  But lots of money.  need to earn some rather than keep spending.  Wonder if can teach Hattie to play mouth organ and use her in advertising - she's much more appealing than Sykes - but not as well behaved, sadly

How disappointing

Alright if you just want to go to a concert, I suppose.  Otherwise just a gigantic opportunity to bring yopurself back into the limelight.  Russell Brand should just go and stay in America together with George Michael.

And on to home news.  It turns out that Hattie, she who has been protected like a mediaeval maiden, appears to be 3 weeks pregnant.  Quite how she managed that is anyone's guess and yes, I understand the physicalities of the enterprise but the logistics is something else.  Plus she appears to have something wrong with her soft palate and something wrong with her behind.  Oh what joy to own a dog.  Back to the vet next week to sort out problems.

Then letter from neighbours complaining about smoke from chimney and wood burning stove.  I imagine this will be from the crazy people opposite.  BH up in arms as he feels the cold and we have enough logs for Father Christmas.  But know the cold affects him badly.  Wonder if we could return to open fire (which I would much prefer) and use coke instead.  That suggestion is going down like a lead balloon.

Closing ceremony tonight - whew! What a thrilling couple of weeks it has been, and more to come in the Paralympics which sadly get overshadowed by the big guns of the Olympics 'proper'. who can forget the taekwondo gold, Mo Farah, the cycling and so on? But I loved Rebecca Adlington - bronze is just as good as gold and she will always be a star in my eyes. Loved Tom Daley and so many others, not necessarily British competitors, but real gutsy interesting personalities. And some of the sports! The synchronised swimming - who'd have thought it could be so thrilling and fascinating? And Andy Murray winning at last - hurrah! Cyclists wonderful, and the equestrian events though am not fond of the dressage type things - surely it can't be right for horses's heads to be twisted into such unnatural positions? Hate that aspect.

And what will tonight's ceremony be like? Hope it isn't one long dreary concert. Fingers crossed it's exciting and innovative.

and what of Hattie? She is still in season, still dragging her bum on the floor, still coughing and barking like a donkey with emphysema, still chasing the cats and still wees on the kitchen floor whenever the cats get more attention than she does and when it's raining outside! Apart from that, she's a little character and I love her to bits. Just need to do some doggy psychology to discover cause of incontinence as she never does it at night-time and always performs when out for a walk....

A good opening show for the Olympics

Well done, Danny Boyle.  Mostly stunning, some patchy parts but the forging of the Olympic rings amazing and the Olympic torch cauldron stunning and a bit emotional.  Hope there is a re-run at some point.  The James Bond/Queen/corgis section hilarious.  Not so sure about Rowan Atkinson's performance, nor some of the musicians - Dizzee Rascal?.  And oh dearie me, Paul MacCartney is looking very strange these days, like one of the living dead.  The voice simply isn't there any more.  If you can't sing 'Hey Jude' properly, it's time to take a rest from performing and stick to composing....just perhaps not for ballets eh, Macca?  And nice to see Kenneth Branagh smiling after all the depressing Swedishness that is Wallander...
 
Loved the Queen's pink feathery fascinator thingy - is she getting input from Kate?  But she was a bit pofaced about the opening speech.  Still, she is the Queen so she probably has to be a bit headmistressy. 

Am getting a bit James Bondish myself in trying to prevent Hattie from receiving the unwelcome attentions of would-be doggy daddies.  Have to carry her out to the car and drive to some new spot for exercise and the usual offices (and yes, I do clear up at the back of her).  All very exciting but luckily no parachute drops or jet packs so far.  And she is getting jail fever, I can tell.  Fingers crossed that there's only another week to go.

Have sorted out art club itinerary for August - lots of landscape sketching in front of us, I think.  perhaps it may inspire us to produce some good things for our forthcoming autumn exhibition.  Not getting very far in finding a place to hold a workshop; we need somewhere with easels and a sink, and they're quite thin on the ground.  I wonder if the Zion Centre might be a goer?

Went logging with DD last night.  MBF has neighbour with too many trees, or she thinks she has too many trees and has been trying to get them felled.  Cowboy company just hacked down three of them leaving large pieces of trunk and branches blocking stream at rear of gardens.  DD had to straddle stream with chainsaw, aided by MBF's husband, neighbour and neighbour's grandson while I looked on and broke up some little twiggy kindling bits.  So frustrating to feel weak and unable to be a prime mover in such an exercise.  Ah well, loaded some in the car but loads more to go back to whenever DD feels up to it. 

And Wythenshawe Park tomorrow with Martina but no dog this week.  I have been promising her that she will meet Hattie soon we are foiled at the moment, unless we wish to have a trail of dogs doing the conga behind us as we walk through the park. 

Bravo Jamie

DD and I went to Jamie's new restaurant in the old HSBC building at the top of King Street on Sunday.  What a revelation.  The building looks enormous from outside and as I remember it in the good old days of the Midland Bank, inside it always looked like the epitome of a great old fashioned English bank, mahogany counters, coloured windows, huge banking hall and chandeliers, etc.  It must have taken some puzzling to refashion it into the busy chic place it is today.  And the food.....yum yum yum yummy is all I can say.  The waiters/waitresses are all so knowledgeable, helpful and really happy to serve you.  Quite unlike some of the other eateries in central Manchester.

Then we sauntered on down to shop called the Laundry?  I think.  Sweet shop decorated in a French boudoir style and selling one-off pieces of clothing and jewellery.  What a joy compared to the big bland boring clothing chains.  What could be drearier than landing in a town you have never visited before to be confronted with the same dreary uninspiring street layout lined with row upon row of the same dreary uninspiring chain stores - Primark,Next, BHS, M&S, Topshop, Monsoon, Debenhams, Harvey Nicks, House of Fraser, Selfridges - oh give me a break and bring back some of the smaller individual quirky shops which don't import 99% of their stock from China.  And as for the number of McDonalds, KFC, beefburger joints, kebab shops, Tesco - aaarrrghghgh!!!!

Thank God for Jamie Oliver and people like him who truly love Britain, want to eat good FRESH food from crops grown in Britain without the aid of  chemicals and from animals raised in Britain without hormones and yeast supplements.  Yes, I know he imports some stuff from Italy but at least the tinned tomatoes are grown and packed in Italy presumably by Italians not by Dr Oetker some Dutch-German imitation Italian firm.  And where did this rant come from?  I suppose from the refreshing observation that we can still eat fresh food in this country and enjoy the experience.  Again, well done Jamie.

Anyway, back to the Laundry where I bought a divine beige coloured dangly lace top over a camisole for about £30 - not bad for something which won't be seen on every other person in the street.

And yesterday it was reading group which took place at Abode.  I had rump steak and chips and it was ok, not exciting, but did the job.  Had a good laugh as usual although we were down to only four people.  How did we get on to the subject of tantric sex, open bras, tight pants and circus skills?  Damned if I know but I blame Lisa.

And today, the coup de grace.  Not only has Hattie McTwattie displayed distressingly clear signs of being in season but she is trying to escape to play with the big boys.  Hmm.  Was she listening to our conversation last night on bondage and role-playing?  So not visits to vet until the all clear has been sounded.

And, even worse, I had forgotten that the second part of the Drawing and Painting Figures workshop was today and I HAVE MISSED IT!!  Aaaaagh!  My memory is shot to hell these days.  So shall have to try and do some painting at home in the steaming heat - it's about 85 degrees in old money today - and also try to get the rest of the art group itinerary sorted out. 

And hello Hattie Smelliebum...

Went to Dogs Home last Sunday and to Leigh Dogs Home - what a downer.  All those pleading eyes begging for a decent home where dogs are treated kindly. 

95% at least of all dogs in both homes were Staffordshire Bull Terriers crossbreeds.  So either people get them without realising how strong they are or they are subscribing to this whole fighting dog ethos.  Plus a pathetic dog of 13 or 14 with half its jaw missing - lost in badger-baiting.  And how will anyone take on such a pet knowing how much it will cost in vet fees and so on?  Shameful, really shameful for a country which is supposed to be humane.

Much better in Scotland where they appear to be much more dog-friendly and where you are properly vetted before being allowed to take an animal home.

Was quite taken with a small ancient looking rough haired Jack Russell bitch at Manchester Dogs Home.  After much quibbling and discussions, went back on Monday to take possession of her.  Was told she was 4, didn't know if she was neutered but had been micro-chipped and had the first of her injections.  So for £70 got dog plus 6 weeks pet insurance 'for accidents'(?)

On way home in car, dog so excited, she farted constantly, flooding the car with the smell of rotting fish or something equally vile.  Imagine driving along with all windows down in driving rain, trying to fan smell out of car!  When we got home, fed her from store of food bought in for Oscar - she has the smallest appetite imaginable - took her out for a walk and noticed she was sliding her bum up and down the floor so off to vet who checked her over, cleared anal glands, and who looked cynical in the extreme to be told Dogs Home vets thought she was 4 years old.  Thinks she might be 7 or 8.  Told us of couple who brought in a Yorkshire Terrier said to be 6 months old by rescue centre and who, he said, '..won't see 14 again, in my opinion...'.  He thought she had been in Dogs Home for very long time judging by kennel cough and paperwork sent by Dogs Home vets.  Original injection given last December but follow-up second not due till next week.  Sloppy paperwork or sloppy vet work by dogs home - who knows?

Anyway £70 well spent in my view, plus vet bills for glands and injections to come.  Dogs Home said she was called Pilchard but she doesn't answer to that or any usual small terrier type name (DD suggests Pilchard because of fishy smelling bum) so she is now Hattie Smelliebum, or Hattie McTwattie, depending on her behaviour.  The cats are desperately afraid of her so some adjustment time is needed before we become a fully integrated cat & dog home again as in the halcyon day of Albie and Macey.  Great dogs.

But Hattie is a definite character, alert, eager to please, lovely to take on walks and is so thrilled to be petted and cuddled.  A joy.

In between all these canine excursions, have become the owner of a new Galaxy Ace phone and can I find out how to work the thing?  Can I thump.  Instructions minimal to the point of non-existence.  Doesn't tell you even the basics like how to end calls!  Like where is the camera?  Like how do you operate it?  Oh, booklet full of crap like getting onto internet, getting google maps, getting emails.  Balls to that, I want to text, phone and use camera.  Hello, Mr Sam Sung, are you listening???  Cross?  Me?

Went to summer school on Tuesday for drawing and painting people.  Hard work to get back into it again but soooooo enjoyable and engrossing.  What would I do if I didn't have painting to sustain me?  Another magical day next week - ahhhhh.

Went sketching yesterday with Magpies in the Royal Exchange - St. Ann's Church was being used for jazz festival which was very nice but didn't think they'd like us sketching - and of course we needed to discuss some future things for the art club.

Must sort that out but insurances - car, house, phone - need to be attended to first, and water authorities who are literally taking the piss by suggesting that we use about 60 gallons of water a day.  Blimey, they don't have any idea of how little cleaning and housework I do.  Life is more interesting than cleaning, folks.  Don't come to my house unless you wear dust mask and expect to be covered in dog/cat hairs....

But DD is taking me out at weekend - lovely - and perhaps I can get Martina to come for a walk with me and Hattie McTwattie...

Adieu Oscar

Sadly, I spoke too soon.  Oscar had a monumental power struggle with me when trying to get him to stop pulling.  He floored me, and wouldn't get up to walk no matter what I tried.  It took me over ten minutes to calm him down enough to stop trying to pin me to the ground and to get up and walk home.  Felt physically sick and realised that I was stupid to pick a dog with so much latent strength.  Also, logically speaking, he is a working dog and unless he is working, he isn't going to be happy and will be naughty from boredom if nothing else.

BH, DD and I thought long and hard before returning him but we know we can't help him, brilliant though he is.  Am very upset that we have failed him but am relieved, too, in a guilty way because I was beginning to dread our walks.  Ah well, at least his chum was still there waiting for him at the rescue centre and there was a joyful reunion for them both. 

Finished my last art class of the season today and did a collage for the first time which was 'interesting' as the art tutors say!  Am hoping to do a summer school on life drawing/portraits next week, if possible.

Am going with DD to pick up some tree trunks for the woodstove.  DD will chainsaw them and I will chop them up when the wood has dried a bit.  What exciting lives we do lead....

Oscar is a star

I am cautiously optimistic.  The dear sweet dog is coming along.  Behaved quietly last night and was fairly good on the lead this morning, only becoming agitated when we tried to cross the road with some kids and the lollipop man waved his pole about.  Instant shaking and trembling and squirming to get away.  Took a little time to quieten him down enough to resume walk.  Made worse by lollipop man trying to make friends, a natural reaction but one that Oscar feared.

Made use of a nearby pub 'smoke station' to sit away from rain and to reinforce the 'sit' technique; also much petting for being good.  Much better on return journey.  Much better with cats.  Perhaps I can get him to sit still long enough to photograph him.

Need to get him a dog coat though as his fur is quite thin like a greyhound's.  He will be better equipped than I am for the weather.  I may develop shoulder muscles like Arnie's before we sort out the pulling situation.

Also tried to sort out mobile phone situation.  Am disappointed with Three.  As usual, any phone call results in a number of options and while I find this irritating, I can usually manage it ok.  Not with Three.  This is no option for getting help from an operator; either new phones or troubled phones, no help for customer wishing to port their number across from previous network supplier.  Orange much superior in this respect.

Doggone it

Lovely, lovely morning on Saturday in  Wythenshawe Park.  Despite all the gloomy doomy weather forecasts of rain till the end of the world, we sat and sketched in warm sunshine and enjoyed ourselves greatly.  Good to catch up on those who don't attend same classes.  Gardens greatly neglected as a result of Council cuts.  Should be obvious even to the moronic accountants who seem to rung things that four gardeners cannot look after all the public parks and gardens in the south Manchester area.  Flowerbeds neglected, weeds springing up like - well, weeds.  Perhaps Council should get people doing community service orders to do some weeding?  Or the bloody moronic accountants!  It would be a good idea to do someone's job for a week or two before deciding on whether or not they are providing good value for money.  If that were the maxim, they should get rid of the accountants and shear away several tons of useless councillors.

Anyway, after the delightful morning, I rushed home because - after much nagging and hinting from family and friends, especially Beloved Husband and Darling Daughter, I enquired about rescue dogs from local rescue centre and have now acquired a younger lurcher.  Assured by centre manager that he'd be perfect for us (ages 86 and 69) being cat friendly, house trained, good in car and an all round joy.  Sound suspicious?  Of course, but confronted with an anxious whiskery face and appealing brown eyes, who can resist?  And I didn't.

Oh boy.  He chased my two middle-aged and dignified moggies up the stairs, up the trees, up onto garden shed - they were not happy, neither was I.  They have taken up residence in my bedroom, glaring out of the window, coming down only to eat.  Have had to devise complicated system of windows and doors to allow them out for wee breaks.  So not good with cats.

He demolished every room he went into, nothing was safe.  He jumps up on everyone and everything. So not house trained.

Good in car.  An unqualified yes.  He loves the car and is brilliant in it.

After first walk around field near house, he slipped his lead and played out Custer's Last Stand with a group of screaming Asian children, he taking the part of Chief Sitting Bull and all his warriors, herding them into a tight wagon train circle. Luckily he is not a scrap vicious, he just wanted to play.  Round and round he went, children screaming ever louder.  BH and I ran in a geriatric limping gait after him until BH said: "Bugger it, just turn your back and walk back to the house".  Hearts pumping, that's what we did - AND HE FOLLOWED US and sat in front of garden gate.  Thank God.  So little or no traing.  And he's very strong.

So to pet store to get better collar and harness plus all the usually necessities.  Engraving machine started up while in store and Oscar went into some paralytic trembling terror hell.  Thankfully manager of store used to rescue dogs, stopped machine and tried to pet him better.  Blind anger at sight of animal terrified almost to death by something done by previous owner.

So have used internet (of course) to get some ideas on training and eliminating bad habits.  Have learned that in order to make Oscar behave, I need to assume role of Pack Leader, must make him wee before we go out for a walk (? how the hell one does that is veiled in mystery but I'll give it a try) and must not reward him for bad behaviour.  Easier said than done.  Having got me up at the crack of dawn - well, ok, 7am - have taken him out twice and tried to teach him to sit and stay at pavement edges, also not to pull.  Think he has cracked the sit and stay bit.  Time will tell.  I have learned however that he is an escape artist, is a comic and could pull me along like a steam engine if I let him.  Sore paws (mine) as a result.

Feel very stressed and knackered.  Have had to have daytime naps to recover!  Shall I live long enough to train this poor dog with the sweet whiskery face?

Damn MAES to hell and b ack

Had a lovely evening last night. DD came to pick me up and took me to sister's BF in Bolton where we had a simple and tasty meal with lots of yummy wine.  Obviouslly evening verged on alcofrolic madness with much giggling, double entendres and spilled wine - not mine, I protected my glass very jealously.  God knows what sister's BF thinks of my loose mouth.  DD suitably alcoholfree as she was driving.

Dear little DD worried about me because I am a bit depressed but nowt to be done but endure it and work through it.

Today decided to do some painting as weather not really joyous for a walk.  Just getting in swing of it when got news that the art annexe where our art classes take place has been invaded and is being taken apart without so much as a word.

Manchester City Council Education Department is unbelievably high-handed and dreadfully STUPID.  Not only are the admin staff at the centre about as efficient as a constipated camel, but the 'bosses' (that word being used in a scornful manner) don't seem to know how to plan, how to manage, how to communicate with learners - their core reason for their jobs! We have been treated in the most shabby way possible by Manchester City Council over the past few years, with the words 'cuts' as the reason for everything - and this all started well before the recession started.

Every class is being disrupted for bloody bloody ESOL classes! How about immigrants learning to speak English and learn to add up BEFORE they get to these bountiful shores??  Why is OUR money being tied up in this wasteful and aggravating way?

My fellow students and I have all worked VERY hard, ALL our lives, paying taxes (are you listening here, Jimmy Carr and the rest of you greedy grasping selfish bastards?) so that we could now enjoy what time we have left in doing things we couldn't do when we were young - mainly because we had to earn a living to keep body and soul together.  But Manchester City Council as ever playing the politics card - it's the Government - and the political correctness card - foreign immigrants never having had the money or opportunity to learn things (join the bloody club) are making sure that our happy hours in adult education are swiftly becoming a thing of the past.

Don't these stupid people know that the more new interests people take up, the more healthy they are and the less likely they are to have to use expensive medicines and the less likely they are to claim benefit?  is it me, or has all the world gone mad?  In Manchester at least?

Rain, wood, pie and return of Darling Daughter

To MBF yesterday morning with new Ikea chair which is too hard for my old bum, a whinberry pie and an empty pick-up truck.  Rain sheeting down while we collected wood from neighbour's two trees, and some belonging to MBF whose garden is wonderful after years of planning, replanning and general backbreaking work.  Ergo, now and then, some of her trees need pruning and shaping (tamarisk, etc) and total removal (walnut) and our wood burning stove is duly grateful for herefforts and her offcuts.

Caught up on shopping and library in between huge cloudbursts.  Flooding in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge - unheard of.  And home again to read and watch old films.

DD back last night and came round to see us today.  Caught up on all the news, brought me lovely flowers and a hug, which I have missed most of all.  Do wish I didn't feel so downhearted lately, everything seems a drag and that is not how I am used to feeling.  DD adamant that we should get another dog and that prompted a huge difference of opinion between me and BH - he wants dog outside and I don't.  I love Alsatians, think they are wonderful dogs and would love one.  Also big fan of Jack Russell terriers but we shall have to see what's on offer at the rescue centre.  And hope that our cats will take to newcomer, whatever the breed, or mixture of breeds.  I suspect DD is more bothered about the dog getting me out for exercise - to lose weight and to make me feel less depressed.

Spent a couple of hours sawing logs and stacking them before DD left.  She isn't thrilled with this new job but there is very little on offer at the moment.  Most people who have jobs seem to be doing longer hours for the same money which isn't fair.

Why on earth aren't all these non-doms and bonus gobbling bankers being taxed in a more fair fashion?  Why isn't HMRC chasing more of these wily tax-dodgers?  Grrrr

Return of the Beast

Our car, aka the Beast, was returned today in pristine condition, the interior has never been so clean since the last time it was wounded in action.  Even the back is clear for the time being.  It may be prudent to apply some superglue to the lock to prevent BH once more filling it full of useless tools, straps, ropes, etc which are no longer used but which he retains with happy memories of his demolition days.

Gosh, I am so glad to get the car back.  Had to beg a lift off a fellow art student on Wednesday and have still not fully recovered.  Suspect she might be a devotee of one of those death race computer games....she certainly looked like Mad Max at certain points of our journey to Fletcher Moss Gardens.

After a lot of snappy phone calls regarding DD's car - apparently there is something wrong with heat circulation system - and haggling over moneys to be returned to buyer, we have come to a happy conclusion.  Poor DD, on holiday in Italy, to be bombarded with questions and requests for decisions instead of relaxing..ah well, she says she has thrown several coins in the Trevi Fountains so perhaps she will go back and take me with her.

Treasured Sister (TS) and Bro-in-law (BIL) came yesterday to celebrate TS's birthday and to complete my tax return.  Yes, there is always a quid pro quo in our family.  Joyous to see them both although I fear I was whinging away because of the weeks' events.  Happily she had a soothing effect on me, as always.  Will see her again on Monday with DD for a couple of hours before she departs for Scotland.

They brought their little dog with them, a kind of Staffie crossbreed, who is pathologically against cats having been attacked by a ninja cat.  Said cat had previously had stroke and is only capable of a one-sided attack.  Dog went ballistic on seeing my two tigers, one of whom gathered up her dignity and departed for the shelter and warmth of the greenhouse, turning her back on the dog in a dismissive manner, while the other tiger opted for the security of our bed.  As she does most days, to be fair.

BH entranced by dog as he is missing our recently departed dog, and I can see that we shall soon be trolling the animal rescue centres for a replacement.

Tomorrow I go to see MBF taking with me new Ikea typist's chair and a whinberry pie.  What a combo.  In return I shall pick up several bags of logs from MBF and MBF's neighbour.

Aaaaargghghgh! What a day.

Yesterday was bad enough.  Beloved Husband decided to sell daughter's car while she lolls on an Italian beach.  Hassle, hassle, hassle.

Dearest Daughter has not, despite many requests from me, cleaned out the car over the ten months it has languished on our drive.  Ergo, battery dead, flat tyre and car which smells and looks like the inside of an old dosshouse.  Can only assume that her passengers have spent most of their journey times emptying packets of crisps on the floor and then clog-dancing over them.  For an encore, they have deposited many dollops of eaten and uneaten chewing gum.  Delightful.

Even though I have steadfastly refused to pick up dustpan and brush (my cylinder vac having been transported to DD's house and my current noisy upright Vax is unable or unwilling to do the necessary), today I had to succumb because no-one else was going to do it.  Much swearing.  Much brushing with handbrush.  Much damping down with wet cloth.  Much spraying of air-freshener.  Much washing and polishing outside of said vehicle.  Much scrubbing of scratched areas.  Much swearing at bird poo.  Much looking for documents for car. Much texting and phoning to DD in Italy.

BH decides scratches on DD's car must be covered with spray paint.  Much searching for a Halfords within walking/bus distance to get same.  No luck.  Logbook discovered to be at DD's house in Prestwich.  How to get there?  How to get to Halfords?

Our car taken into custody today for repairs following BH's bump last week.  Many calls from insurance company discussing who at fault; other side OBVIOUSLY claiming personal injury (SHOOT ALL LAWYERS) so long drawn out arguments will ensue.  Therefore no car to do the errands listed above.  Man coming to pick up car tonight.  Rush, rush, rush.

BH discovers pump to put air into tyres no longer works.  Drives Demented Neighbour mad asking to borrow his air pump.  Much rabbiting resulting in refusal with the excuse that his newly bought pump doesn't work/or might be at caravan park in Blackpool.  Hmmmm.

Interspersed with three phone calls from Mad Best Friend who is organising finances and membership cards for art group.  she tells me her neighbour has some logs for our wood stove and that she (MBF) and husband (MBFH) have chopped down a tamarisk tree and wood is very hard and therefore considers it to be suitable for wood stove.  She will bring some bags of logs tomorrow with art group paraphenalia and at the same time will cast knowing eye over our half finished bathroom.  Some tiling done, some tiling to be done - she is summa cum laude at tiling.  Tommy Walsh would do well to take tips from her, or employ her in some advistory capacity.  Also I need some ideas on storage.  Must just give BH a valium before she arrives.

Ah, some relief....man not collecting car till tomorrow so a little respite to get paint and other stuff sorted.

And yet another strange cat day

How the devil do they manage to keep doing it?  This morning heard one cat mewing in distress, searched high and low.  Could see small tiger prowling about but large tiger missing.  After 20 minutes or so searching, tracked her down to the space under the eaves where she, and her enormous belly, had wedged themselves under the insulation and woven in and out of the wiring and the piping.  Pathetic.  Couldn't get to yank her out so just had to clear a path for her and rattle her food dish downstairs.  My word, talk about quick release.  A jet pilot couldn't have ejected at a faster speed.  Had thought a small spell of incarceration might have reduced the old tum but no.

And Charlie pranged the car last night so stressful spell today with insurance company, garages and so on and so on.  In between went to art class, thank God, for a spell of what passes as normality.  such a laugh, such a relief. It's amazing how much I learn from just critiquing my own and other people's work in these sessions.  An eye-opener and heartening to realise that you are not alone in struggling to get depth and perspective into a painting.  And more members for the art group...getting quite a respectable number joining.

More art tomorrow, followed by taking car to specialist garage for their earnest consideration and report.  Probably then chasing all over looking for reasonably priced (!) replacement parts...   Hmmmmm, as Marg Simpson would say, flashing her eyes and drumming her three fingers on her arm.  Not the same arm, silly.

And now have realised that  I have TRIPLE booked myself for Friday so no birthday luncheonette at jamies and no exhibition with Barbara - aarrrggh.  Simpleton that I am.

Barbara has tracked down another source of logs for me, bless her, so as soon as car repaired and in fit condition, will pick some up.  Why can I not sort out a simple calendar/diary combo?  All too often, I find myself without diary in some situation where I airily agree to doing something, then later finding out I have already committed to something else ont he same date.  Perhaps I need a PA.....or a new brain cell..

A scintillating evening

with my reading group friends who are all very funny, very erudite and very wise.  I always leave our meetings full of good food, good wine (of course!) and aching from laughter.  And I am to see them again Friday for a birthday lunch at the new Jamies restaurant recently opened on King Street.

Earlier in the day, I had spent lots of time trying to sort out bank accounts - oh yes, it's a never-ending saga.  Also repotted some of my ailing orchids and Christmas and Easter cacti and had crammed them all on the windowsill to take advantage of some weak sunshine while I did other things.  Now, I don't know what the correct procedure should be, but I tend to stick some marbles into the bottom of the planters so that the orchids can perch on top enjoying the moisture without allowing their roots to rot.  There's nothing worse than a case of the galloping root-rot - unless it be a lack of good wine.

At some point during the afternoon when I was playing scrub nurse to Beloved Hubby, passing tools as requested while he tried to make the stuck wheels of our bad-tempered trailer work.  He has tried this many times in the past, to no avail, as the tyres stick when the trailer has been standing for a few weeks and they become quite bald because they skid along the ground with the stuck wheels bouncing and screaming along, burning rubber - and not in a good way.  So many new wheels....so much bad temper...so many tools thrown around garden, lost forever in a sea of peat and nettles.  And still he won't get some professional in to sort it.  Perhaps it has become a kind of hobby.

Anyway, the kitchen window had been left open during this sojourn into the outside world of mechanics; when I escaped at last into the kitchen, I found the feral cat - the Grey Shadow - in there, cleaning off the two tigers' food.  Upon seeing me, it tried desperately to get back out of the window but became confused and flew madly backwards and forwards several times along the windowsill, pinging plants, pots and marbles all over the tiled floor.  It was like a cat shooting gallery until I opened the door and let him fly out.  Quite, quite hilarious even though there was much clearing up to do and I doubt if my orchids will ever recover from such brutal treatment.  The fuss awoke my own two tigers who languidly batted stray marbles about which I had missed.

And now I must turn my attention to devising a programme of events for my art group.

So the dear old Duke is out of hospital and

and celebrating his 91st birthday at home.  Cheers, old boy.  Glad to see you out and about again.

It has cheered me up after a few days of deep depression, perhaps due to my incompetence at changing bank accounts, or possibly the political news - though there hasn't been any good political news for years now.  Or maybe because losing sleep with painful hip and knee.  Or maybe I just need a drink and to get stuck into something interesting to do instead of fulminating against life because I can't get everything sorted out as I'd like it.

Reading Group tomorrow so that will be lovely although think the book has not been a smash hit.  'Never the Bride' by Paul Magrs.  Should provoke some discussion.  Have not yet started to read the other book 'The Poisonwood Bible'.  Just don't feel in the mood for it somehow.

met the adorable Andi last week with darling daughter and had a meal and drinkipoos at The Bakerie - jolly nice.  Gorgeous Prosecco and Italian waiters - what's not to like?  Glad to see she seems happier in this new job than the last although she has lost weight and some of her joie de vivre.

Darling daughter in Italy for two weeks and saw some shots of Rome on tv tonight watching the fatuous Lynley Mystery thing.  It's so utterly predictable and boring.  How on earth does anyone stay a detective when they are always (a) having woman/man trouble (b) coping with idiotic/dysfunctional work colleagues (c) shouting at their colleagues for no good reason but  it makes it more dramatic (?) (d) getting inappropriately involved in cases or being accused of murder/rape/tax evasion (f) being thrown off the case but carrying on regardless because they, and only they, can solve the crime.  and really, is murder so complicated?  I bet that the majority of murders are simply crimes of opportunity and greed.

Having said all that, Lewis is as bad but I do love it because of the great rapport between Kevin Whateley and Laurence Fox.  Oxford is a very dangerous town for academics, just as Midsomershire is dangerous for any village idiot.  Lovely....

Sis and bro-in-law to call for a day in a few days - Sis's birthday - and bring along their little dog to cheer up Charlie and terrify the two tigers.

Then a few days later, i should be toddling up to visit them and I am looking forward to it.  But before then I must sort out bank accounts and make up programme of events for our art group.

Queen's weather

Yes, it was almost a re-run of Coronation Day 1953; the rain poured down on the poor Queen and the Duke, and they looked so cooold, poor lambs.  She never sat down once in all that long long time on the Thames.

A magnificent pageant, excellently organised.  It would have been lovely to have been there in person.  The colour and the uniforms were gorgeous and all the boats - including the little ships from Dunkirk, how poignant.  Hope they all had a hot rum when they transferred to The President.  And oh how I wish someone would have thrown the rancid Parker Bowles woman into the Thames.  All the waving and the posing she did...still it's probably the most work she's done in her idle life and no doubt she's rehearsing for when she becomes Queen - pass the sickbag.

But on the whole, it was a joyous occasion, despite the weather.  What wonderful surprises as the Queen sailed along - Warhorse was stunning at the National Theatre and the HUGE photograph of the Queen and her family - pretty good.

But now the dear old Duke is in hospital, with a bladder infection.  No wonder in all that cold rain.  Let's hope he's soon out again.  After all, although it's the Queen's Jubilee, she couldn't have done it without his support.

Spent most of the day in front of the television so today (which has been pretty warm and sunny) decided to get some work done.

Spent about an hour trying to clean all the grout and tile adhesive off the bathroom floor, good exercise for the hips, not so good for the knees.  Then spent some time in garden weeding and tidying up.  Used the splendid flame-thrower weedkiller again.  It does work but longstanding weeds like docks, nettles and bindweed seem to need several blasts a couple of days apart.

Feral cat trotted into kitchen via window following our two resident tigers.  Charlie not amused.  Feral cat not for budging and settled down quite calmly in living room in front of fire.  Long lecture on inadvisability of feeding feral cats and unlikelihood of him coming around to the idea of adding this particular one to our existing menagerie, even though our two tigers obviously don't care much one way or the other as long as they received their quota of food, grooming and petting.

Am supposed to attend Barbara's street party tomorrow as there will be nothing in this street, unlike past occasions.  But the make-up of the residents has changed quite dramatically over the past three or four years and the whole neighbourliness and good humour has disappeared.  How dreary.