Something

What is everyone doing to keep going?

Biggest excitement for us was our first online supermarket delivery. More slots are becoming available now so we were able to get one with Asda.

we chose Asda as for me they make by far and away the best gluten free bread and unlike Genius gluten free, it isn't packed with Xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is an awful product originally derived from the bacteria that makes cabbages go mouldy, black and slimy - poisonous. But despite that it's not that which puts me off as Xanthan gum is just like glue to me or rather plaster of Paris, I would be better off eating wheat!

Anyway they delivered almost everything we requested and it all had a good long date and even the bananas were very green, which we like.

Bye Bye Communist TV Station

 Does anyone else feel that the world has actually stopped and is simply on repeat?

We had a delivery of phlox plants, I hope to use them as ground cover - in place of weeds! Any advice is most welcome.

Well, we finally took the decision to cancel our TV licence and stop watching live TV. I honestly don't know why it has taken us so long. The biased news reporting, which has been going on for a very long time was one reason. The huge salaries paid to underwhelming (lack of) talent was another. The scrapping of the free licence for the over 75s another. Ridiculous diversity programming, useless dead brained local radio stations, the list goes on and on.

But we hardly watched anything at all on the BBC, the output is dreadful.

So after looking around for help I came upon ChilliJonCarne who has a website and YouTube videos. No BBC. No IPlayer. No Live TV. 

Zooooooommmmmm

 Well, we joined in the rest of the world and had a Zoom meeting this afternoon.

I think that we can still show the young techies a thing or two as everyone managed to get online.

Although it was great to chat, the limitations of Zoom and online meetings that only one person can talk at once, whereas when we are in a normal group meeting separate people can chat amongst themselves.

What is this liquid sunshine?

Another fortnight has gone by so quickly and the weather has changed a lot too.

Cool and wet, the garden has been needing a good steady amount of rain as has the pond. We have had a lot of tiny frogs around the garden though.

We are just starting to get some raspberries and the tomato plants in the greenhouse are beginning to flower.

Scam, scam, scam, scam. Scam, scam, scam, scam.

We had a phone call the other day from 01275595289. No one answered when I said 'Hello'.

Today - 28-May-2020 the phone went again this time the number was 01275595290 (can you spot a pattern?) and the caller spoke.

He was phoning about loft insulation that we had had done and not to worry but there may be a risk of condensation occurring.

They would like to come out to do an inspection, did I use the loft as a storage area/room or just a loft.

Hmm, I thought I will say 'As a loft'.

"Okay, what age group are you?", he asks "Sixty to seventy five?".

"I am not telling you" I reply.

"Well I need to know as it will depend on what grant you qualify for, forty to fifty, fifty to seventy, seventy to eighty five?"

"You are breaking up, I cannot hear a full sentence." I informed him, which was true as he seemed to be calling from a mobile - it was only afterwards that I found his 'landline' number.

"Hello, yes could you repeat it what you said please as your phone is breaking up. Hello. Can you hear me?"

He put the phone down and has not called back.

It is a scam by scum. Please avoid, I will reporting this incident.

Apart from that, I hope that you are enjoying the terrific weather.

Superma...rket

What a strange time it continues to be. We went to the supermarket yesterday and apart from queuing to get to a till, we were lucky and didn't seem to spend any longer than normal inside. The only things we could not get were flour and baking powder, but I have heard that the major bakeries have bought up supplies so that they can continue to produce bread etc.

We washed our hands when we returned home but where do we stop? Do we clean every item as it must have been handled putting on to the shelves. Is a home delivery any better?

My sister in law is having treatment for leukemia and they do have home deliveries but as they are not ordering any frozen or fresh products, they leave everything untouched for three days before putting them away.

I don't feel concerned about the shopping, not because I am cavalier about the prospects of infection but rather like driving/crossing the road etc. I have been sensible and as careful as I can.

Greenhouse

I have had some success and plenty of failures with plants in the greenhouse this year.

Among my successes are tomatoes and green beans from seed, which are both starting very healthily.

The failures are begonias and alyssums, the begonias got going and whether I overwatered them or they just didn't carry on growing, a lot of them just stopped and went floppy before giving up. The alyssums have just stayed tiny and not grown at all.

A shame as it looks like it could be a good growing year.