Yet more Midlands madness

Spanish day at Fiona and James' with Jackies paella. LtoR: Brian, Jackie, Becky, Fiona, Jenny and James

Last weekend was the paella for Fiona and James and Jenny and Becky. For the first time, with 6 people eating, it all went. No danger of being hungry though, not with the nibbles James provided and the tiramisu Brian had made. There was also much alcohol. James had made sangria which certainly hit a spot, then there was the half dozen bottles of Cava we’d taken, and then the red wine.... I probably stopped drinking first, but still felt pretty rubbish on Sunday. Going to bed at 03.45 was largely responsible for that though. Brian had more sleep than me but wasn’t with it till after lunch! We did have fun though, this is a great annual tradition! We thought that was it for Sunday, certainly no beer with Sunday club, but a message from Ian wanting his drill back as more storage was required after onion (and everything else) harvest from the allotment after they had been away a week. It was probably good not to have just sat and slobbed, though that would have been very easy!

And there it is, filled with lots of yummy seafood

Monday we were back at Denise and Paul’s. Their outside lights and water feature had stopped working. Between rain showers Brian ascertained that it was the box, as Denise had predicted. Nothing to do except sit and chat and order a new one. We’ll enjoy the sitting and chatting then before heading off to the Fieldhouse, their local Ember Inn where Monday Club had already decided to meet. Seemed silly to go home, so we went for a meal first with D&P.

Oscar cat joined in too

Tuesday another mad bout of gardening before the new flat pack shed was delivered on Wednesday, then shed construction, between downpours. It’s a plastic shed, so no maintenance required, and actually went up remarkably easily though it did take both of us and two half days as once we’d got the roof on on Wednesday that was enough in the rain! Just to fill it. Well that took longer to fit in than expected. Ted went for his MOT, which was fine, but it had seemed to make sense to get the car done too, otherwise it would be due in January which won’t be convenient. It’s bound to pass, it’s only six months since it’s last one. Sadly not! I knew it wasn’t good news when Brian appeared on the drive in Ted! He had done well though, the garage wanted to book the car in on the 18th. Sadly we leave for three weeks in Arbroath on Wednesday. So he’d persuaded them to keep it and try to squeeze it in. Once Ted was on the drive it only seemed fair to give him a clean and polish!

Then it all became a bit too much for him

Friday we went in to Bournville on the train. Met up with H&I at the Attic brewery for a couple of pints before a delicious curry. Sunday Abi came over to look at the garden so she can see if she can supply us with any plants. We went to try Ritual, the new coffee shop in the village which was as good as the reports we’d heard. They’ve also taken ownership of the phone box outside and installed a book exchange. I’m very happy!

The night went on very late but breakfast the next day was also late - and delicious 

All this along with ordering and returning a second hand scanner for scanning lots of old photos. It didn’t work, but fortunately John has one that does, so we’ve borrowed his. Wednesday club and Sunday club up at the Weighbridge.

Oscar didn't see why he couldn't have some too (he had some bacon!)

I’ve been to the doctors and had blood taken. I feel dizzy, even while lying in bed. Brian has had his last visit to the prostate cancer impact study that he has been part of for the last few years. I’ve signed us up with the Cinammon Trust to foster dogs or cats whose owners are incapacitated for whatever reason. I’ve also received my first call from ’Be my eyes’ an APP that allows partially sighted or blind people to ring for help with “which cardigan is the blue one?” Or in my case “are there any milk products in this ready meal?” It only took moments but it’s great to be able to help someone with things we just take for granted.

The concrete slab ready for the shed...

Tonight is Monday Club, Bill and Martina are coming over to look at the house/shed before a visit to the Weighbridge. Tomorrow is dentist and Denise to fit the new controller that got rained off on Saturday and Wednesday we head to Arbroath for a Housesit. It’ll be lovely to stop and get a furry fix

And there it is (it's already full now!

With Abi in the new Ritual cafe in the village

I've finally bought a new camera after the old one finally broke, so here's a couple of shots in the garden just trying it out