Catching up ... again!

I've been a bit busier than normal and have got a little behind with The Journal.  This is an attempt to get back up-to-date.

Thursday, 13 March 2025 

The main achievement for Thursday was to finally get the Defender advertised on the Autotrader website. Since I am documenting this nearly a week later, I think it fair to say that I have been deafened by the silence from my phone. I'll give it another week before I consider dropping the price a little ... I was being rather ambitious.

My exercise regimen continues and I managed to complete  a couple of walks today; a short one with all three dogs and then a circuit of the Three Miler with Hobson

The day was rounded off with a trip in to Birmingham to see Now that's what I call a musical at the Alexandra Theatre.

The show was based around pop classics from the early eighties and used a piss poor High School Reunion narrative in an attempt to link them together. It was well performed, but the plot was clumsily constructed.  We had a pleasant enough evening, but I wouldn't recommend it ... watch the original song videos on YouTube instead.

Friday, 14 March 2025

The day started with a trip to B&Q, where I picked up a few essentials for some upcoming electrical work.

Later in the morning I accompanied 30% down to the local surgery.  She has been experiencing some hip and knee pain, which are not improving and it was definitely time to get some professional attention.

The GP was amazingly candid in his approach and freely admitted that he hadn't got a clue. He did however agree that further investigations were needed. He made the necessary referrals and even suggested that a private consultation  would be worthwhile to move things along at pace.

The afternoon saw a further circuit of the Three Miler and then I spent some time in the workshop gathering tools, cables and fittings that will be needed tomorrow.

Saturday, 15 March 2025

I do like a little bit of electrical work and Saturday morning saw me scrabbling around in the roof space of the cottage.

My goal was to replace the tatty spotlights in the bathroom, with something a little more current. The old spots were rusty and their cabling had suffered from rodent damage, so were definitely overdue for replacement.

It wasn't a huge job, but it took a good chunk of the morning to create a simple wiring loom, locate an earth wire and get the light fittings connected and tested.

The afternoon saw me complete another three mile circuit with Hobson and then clean the bathroom ceiling in preparation for painting.

Sunday, 16 March 2025

Sunday's sole achievement was to get two coats of emulsion on the bathroom ceiling.

I don't mind painting but this job was not fun. The room is barely big enough to swing the proverbial cat and is cluttered with immovable sanitary ware.

I therefore spent most of the day wriggling around and climbing over shower screens, lavatory pedestals and basins whilst trying to avoid stray splashes of paint.

We have both agreed that the next room to be decorated will be free of furniture and I might actually be able to get an unobstructed run with the paint roller!

Monday, 17 March 2025

Monday saw me snap the new bathroom lights back in to their cut outs and I was finally able to see the full effect of my efforts.

I'm pleased with the job and it has, sort of, encouraged me consider further decorating ... note that I said "consider" rather than "commit to"!

I also managed a couple of walks with the dogs and we also popped in for afternoon tea with Mummy Sheila.

Tuesday, 18 March 2025

I've been looking at the state of the lawns for a few weeks and have noticed that many of the villagers have already completed their first and, even, second cuts of the year.

Well, today I finally pulled the mower from the shed and completed the first cut of 2025.

They look much tidier and make the place look a little more presentable ... just in time for our upcoming weekend guests.