HELLO 2025

 BOXING DAY - Relaxing day back at work tonight then I have three days off .unfortunately Friday's day leave  is for a funeral . 

FRIDAY - Drove over to Bramley for the drive to Rawdon crematorium a few miles away for the cremation service off Helen's auntie Doreen she was 83 years old when she passed .The service was conducted by Gaynor Barnes T.V presenter .After the service we went to the Owl Inn at Rodley which used to be our local and I had my fifty birthday there with my twin sister and family .There was a buffet laid on with enough food to feed everyone three times over it was a good send off .Helen's brothers were there and Helen's parents and other relatives .Helen had two Baileys and I had a cider .

SATURDAY - Went over to Tong garden centre Helen bought a stone lamp for £80 we had to go to B&Q to get a led bulb .

SUNDAY - Cooked one of the Turkeys we bought for the festive season had it with pigs in blankets , stuffing , roasted carrots and parsnips and mash , roast potatoes , sprouts with pancetta  and Yorkshire pudding .

MONDAY -Took the tree down put it in the front garden ready for collection on Saturday go back to work after three days off new years day in two days end of 2024 good bye good riddance hello 2025 .

CHRISTMAS 2025

 CHRISTMAS DAY - Drove home just before 02.00 a.m the roads where clear I knew they would be .

We drove over to Acaster Malbis to see Helens parents we took the dogs along with us they like it in the car and are always well behaved .We got back home had a coffee and drove over to Kippax to have Christmas dinner with my daughter and husband and friends and family . She had cooked us all an amazing dinner which included Turkey , Gammon and beef with sprouts , stuffing , roast potatoes mash potatoes and different gravy's it all turned out perfect she had been up early hours cooking and prepping.

I think a meal cooked by someone else always tastes nicer there was a little Jack Russell puppy also with us all Woody .

Wishing everyone out there a very merry Christmas and fantastic 2025 .

HE'S ON HIS WAY

 SATURDAY  - Need to buy a Turkey and a gammon joint just in case we get snowed in high unlikely but never say never Bought an Anker Bluetooth speaker from Amazon it was reduced to £18.99 a steal a bit Bose looking .Also bought some KZ AZ09 IEM Bluetooth adapters which convert my wired IEM'S into wireless .they come Monday and cost £27.99 Helen is buying them for me for a Christmas present . I bought her a Hobinichi mega week journal diary and a Scribbles black paper starry night journal plus different nib size white pens and a zipper brown leather case for the Hobinichi which will arrive in the new year .

MONDAY - Roll on Christmas still need to get a turkey and other items hopefully we will get sorted tomorrow at work I have Xmas day off . 

TUESDAY - Bought a turkey we bought two and a joint of gammon and other stuff parsnips , sprouts , carrots  was all  15 p which will make a huge difference to the shopping bill .Got home Helen wrapped some presents I cooked tea quiche and fries  then went to work .The Fat man is on his way according to Santa tracker when I checked he was flying over the Philippines . 

THE SECRET IS OUT THERE ?

 MONDAY - Got a call from Helen whilst I was at work she has decided that she does not want the sofas we will keep our corner unit .We will lose the £25 deposit for the van which we realised when we made the booking its a lot less hassle for me it would have been a bust day I that I don't need .

TUESDAY - Went over to Joseph Tate's funeral directors  we went to pay our last respects and goodbyes to her Auntie as she was in the chapel of rest apparently lots of people have died and getting a viewing is difficult and limited .

she was laid in her coffin she looked just like she was sleeping , its a sad fact we are all going to follow her  , thing is we don't know where we are in the line or how far the finish line is , also we don't know if we are walking there or running , make sure you do something every day that makes you happy make memories take photos and videos because that's all what will remain that people will have to look back on your life .

WEDNESDAY - New Jersey drone sighting's or U.F.O'S or U.A.P'S what's going on are we witnessing a alien presence invasion or is it the American government in some covert operation its been going on too long and new reports are happening every night and in other parts of the U.S.A. Its a job for Mulder and Scully 

 

NOT THAT HOT

 FRIDAY - Someone had a great idea for collecting money to buy the managers a Christmas present why? with the money they collect it be enough to buy nothing of any importance its so hollow and embarrassing I would rather get them nothing .

SATURDAY - Went to Meltham to a Indian curry house we was going to dine out in the early evening to our surprise it was packed out .Went to Aldi instead and bought two fresh curries , rice , nan breads and onion bhajis , I got four cans of pear cider and some coffee pods , we had our Indian at home .

SUNDAY - Was going to go for a local Sunday dinner it got late in the night so we went to McDonalds instead I had a double chili burger fries and vanilla milk shake Helen got the same but changed the burger to a fillet O fish . So not that hot bet thing was I got a sweet curry sauce dip for later .

NO FAKE TREES

 SUNDAY - Went to visit Sharon her  she was at Helens Aunties house her Mother died last Thursday it  was strange being inside her house with her not there , Helen bought Sharon some flowers and a white ceramic angel holding a star .When you look round at what her life has amassed its not much just like me and my home I  cant see anyone ever fighting over my possessions is sad,  a life time of blood , sweat and tears for not that much.

MONDAY - Took Helen for her bloods taken for her thyroid condition after we drove over Saddleworth Moors to Uppermill and Dobcross garden centre Helen bought a real fir tree instead of a fake tree it was £54.99 .It was raining typical all the trees looked lush and green it was a hard choice we also go some new lights .Helen as always did a great job of putting the lights on and adding the baubles whilst I played Christmas songs on Spotify through  the Amazon Echo .All I need now is some stollen , mince pies and Christmas cake with marzipan .

I remember when I use to break up for two weeks at Christmas now I am lucky if I get Christmas day off .The people going into work on Christmas day can book a taxi ,its £10 for the first mile any miles after that its £3 a mile the only pay 50% of the total fare , they will be on double time , yet they still moan the fare is taken out of next month salary .

SAD NEWS

 THURSDAY - Not a happy post its a sad day got home from walking the dogs to be told by Helen  that her Aunt Doreen  had died this morning at home just after half past nine she had her family around her , she had been battling cancer the last few years and sadly lost the battle , she was a true warrior to the end and is hopefully reunited with her loved ones that are already passed .She will be truly missed . Below a recent picture of Helen and Aunt Doreen on her 83rd birthday in October this year .We visited her last week she was smiling and happy all condolences to her daughter Sharon and the rest of the family .

FRIDAY - Helen finally made it to a dentist she had a root canal completed she felt no pain she never twitched once she was very brave .I ordered her and Oral B io1 electronic tooth brush and some Curasept mouth wash she attends again next year on the 2nd of January 2025 .

CROSS AND TIRED

 THURSDAY - Today is minus six degrees went out with the dogs this morning it was sunny but ice cold if it gets colder will have to invest in a beanie hat cover my ears , I don't do hats but think I will have to , hate to think what a nuclear winter would be like the way the war is going with Russia I think the worse is yet to come .

Had a phone call from a number I didn't recognise it was from my son saying he wanted money putting into his bank account £20 just the amount you need for a bag of dope does he think I am stupid , he is going to phone his sister good luck she has had enough of your lies and broken promises too , no family member is going to fund his drug habit full stop .

Left work at ten p.m. four hours early looking at the video feed from the ring door bell I decided it was only going to get worse so like the song I was homeward bound I got it wrong it more or less stopped and the roads clear odd patch but is was plain sailing I will take the missing hours as annual leave .

FRIDAY - Went to Meadow Hall Helen taking a online purchase of a jacket back to " White Stuff " she got a full refund .

Work rang me they asked if I would work until six in the morning said I would cover the block until 04.30 , I was lucky I said this a few miles from home the snow started chances are if I had been another twenty minutes leaving work I would have got stranded .

SATURDAY - The rain washed all the snow away in a few hours plus the temperature was in double figures .Which was good because Helen had a party of readings to do in Crossland's a few miles away.

I waited in the car I had only three hours sleep I watched the Prime series "Cross" based on the detective created by James Patterson  Alex Cross .I have read a lot of his books over the years when I use to catch the bus to and from work . Also read some of Shari Lapena latest crime thriller "what have you done". its hard concentrating when your tired . loaded the ipod with a load of Bowie and The Cure albums .

THE HOUSE

 TUESDAY - Had some sleep but not much was worried about the car being hit by either someone driving down or up its a steep hill and easy to loose control unless we have four wheel drive its not good .

I spoke with a neighbour  and he had said the roads had been gritted so I went to walk down the hill to bring the car home it was covered in snow for some reason the de -icer refused to operate so i used the scrapper and cleared the front and side windows .I got home safely after stopping off at the farm shop to get some eggs .The car is at the very end of this photo , my parking could have been slightly  better .

its one in the afternoon and we have had no more snow it looks like we are not getting anymore today .Looks like I will be going to work if it does I will leave early or stay until morning when more of the roads have been gritted .

WEDNESDAY - Went to visit Helen's auntie who live sin Leeds and is diagnosed with cancer she seemed ok considering her plight she gave Helen a silver pewter small house that her Grandma had and was  inherited by her Auntie she has wanted it for the last forty years when she use to visit her Grandma she use to turn the house facing the other way when she left it was a ritual she always did .She has finally brought the house home with her .Looking around her Aunties room she had loads of dvds , CDs and books she  collected over the years some of the books where Jeremy Clarkson Diddly Squat featuring his life on his farm and shop .

ON THE HILL

 SUNDAY -My daughter came to visit with Josh ,Jensen and Freddie we did a bit of party food and played Uno for me for the first time it was nice to see everyone its always way too long in between visits .The weekend went way to fast as always not looking forward to going back to work Monday evening but I will , unless I get snowed in .

MONDAY - Went to Cleckheaton to Tapered Helens son's barber shop which has just recently opened had a coffee then we went to see his new house at Driglington a few miles away its a three bedroom new build it is not finished yet he should be moving in early December we looked round the four bed showroom very nice it nice being the first in a new build before anyone else has lived in the property .

After we went to the Malt Shovel for dinner we all had different pies with cobbler topping chips and peas .

Monday night left work early stopped off at the garage to get bacon , sausages , bread and butter just in case we get more snow ,Driving up Dunford road I had to park the car and walk home I had no choice  but leave the car it was loosing traction and going nowhere I walked  the last 2 miles home .It was  all up hill it took me longer than i thought lucky i was half way up and not at the bottom  . Don't know when I will be able to drive the car back  home might not be today hopefully no one drives in to it  There is more snow and ice on the way apparently it is going to hit Manchester for the next fifteen hours  .

SALT

 SATURDAY - How time flies Christmas is nearly upon us and I am not feeling it each Christmas looses some of it sparkle its not what it used to be the spirit of Christmas is lost .The only thing I am looking forward to his the turkey dinner and mince pies , Christmas cake and looking forward to 2025 .

There is a new fish restaurant in Uppermill near Saddleworth Moors it opened earlier this year in March and we have been meaning to go .In the morning we booked a table for two for seven p.m.

Of course we had the beer batter fish and chips with mushy peas no curry sauce or baked beans option it was nice the chips double cooked plus they had different sea salts the surroundings and staff excellent all in all a very good experience for desert I had sticky toffee pudding and ice cream very small portions but again extremely nice .

DAY OF

 MONDAY -No work until 18.00 Wednesday its a dark dismal morning  had a shower before taking the dogs out .Bentley the cat , my cat followed as he does most mornings .I had my I pod and was listening to some new tracks still on shuffle I don't always recognise the band or singer so I am forever checking the iPod screen to see who's playing , with the iPhone I can check my Apple watch which is easier than removing the iPod from my jacket pocket .

Went to Meadow Hall Sheffield Helen bought some socks from Fat Face her Dr Martens were rubbing she was wearing them without socks .She also bought a mega large Stanley flask/cup £45 she ordered a new top and carry case for it from Amazon .

It's good to see "The Cure's" first album in sixteen years as gone to number one in the U.K charts .

TUESDAY - Chilled out day in the evening drove over to M&S Food hall at Birstall this was during rush hour so it took longer filled a trolley up with food pizzas , pies , chicken and fish plus other goodies .Got three different chicken sides fried , hot and tempera , plus the butter biscuits.

WEDNESDAY - Went back to Meadow Hall again Helen bought some pyjama bottoms online  and they didn't fit   nearest White Stuff store Meadow Hall .

Been loading more tunes on to the Ipod its Monday again had a chilled out weekend I watched "The Day of The Jackal" well the first five episodes well worth a watch gripping in parts and a good plot .

I read Frederick Forsyth book years ago and watched the original film both classics .

IN AT THE INN

 FRIDAY - Bought Shari Lapena's new novel "What Have You Done" downloaded from Amazon £2.99 , I have five days off and I don't go back to work until Thursday next week .Listening to "The Cure's" new album "Songs Of Lost World" only listened to it once and it was good not sure if it was worth the sixteen year wait .

Watching "The Terminator 2" a bit surreal atomic bombs and  the machine take over a bit too like real life atm  the way the world is going .

SATURDAY - Updated my iPod classic with more songs this took a while going through my old hard drives finding albums and converting them from flac  losses which wont play to mp3s which will play .

SUNDAY - Helen had four readings to do throughout the afternoon when she finished we went to the the "Foxglove Inn " at Kirkburton we both had fish and chips we both had desert Helen the Bakewell tart and I the sticky toffee pudding both with custard the bill with drinks a pint of cider and a pot of tea was just over fifty pounds .

SERVICED

 FRIDAY - The car went in to the garage for a full service to the tune of £385 .I could tell the difference when I picked it up its driving like new which I should know because the only owner of the car from new is me .

Amazon - Recent deliveries included  Pair of red wired 3.5 mm  earphones  with volume control and a new  portable headphone amp for use with iPhone and iPod classic mainly with the iPod classic which at the moment has around 35gb of songs on its 160 gb hd .I have also ordered a short 3.5 to 3.5 cable to connect the amp to my I pod  the one they sent was way too long .

SATURDAY - Drove over to Acaster  Malbis to visit Helens parents he had a flat tyre front left I put the spare on for him think it was only the second time I have ever had to change a flat , I wont be getting any calls any time soon from F1 pit crews but it went ok.

HAPPY BDAY

 SATURDAY - Might have to invest in a new pair of wireless ear buds the pair I have now is dropping its connection the right ear it has done this before and its annoying .

SUNDAY - Uneventful chilled out had dinner nothing more nothing less .

TUESDAY - Went to Fox Valley Helen bought me a new jacket for walking the dogs the one I have currently she bought for my birthday a few years ago and the zipper is playing up seeing its my Birthday tomorrow she bought me  new jacket we got 20% also bought a dozen pairs of black sports socks .

WEDNESDAY - 23RD October No work I vowed years ago never to work on my birthday so I have the rest of the week off .Also happy birthday to my twin sister Anne I am the oldest by only ten minutes .

FIXED

 TUESDAY -Was up at seven a.m took the dogs out before making Helen a cup of tea and jumping into the car and driving it to the garage in Holmfirth where I was getting the new brakes pad sand discs fitted ,I left the keys with Shaun at reception and walked the twenty minute walk in to Holmfirth Village .

I stopped at Lidl and bought a 69p pain au chocolate I then walked on to the Co-op for a cappuccino just under two hours I got a phone call saying it was ready to pick up , just the £275 to hand over for the work done to be honest it was a fair price it is booked in for a full service a week Friday that will be another £350 cars and women always going to cost you .

Loaded more tunes on to my iPod classic there is now around 30gb of tunes on there only 130 gb to go .

FRIDAY - Ready for the weekend even though I have had two extra unexpected days off work I am still ready for the weekend .The Car is driving fine no issues .

 

DISCS AND MP3'S

 MONDAY/SUNDAY - Been a average week works been work but the week went fast enough the weekend will go quicker .Been downloading new albums on the old iPod classic thinking of getting it mod with a flash drive and new battery and front and back case. I have a Load of new artists and albums to load on to it then I will just play the tracks on the shuffle mode that way I never know what's playing next .The only thing is having to convert from flac to mp3 .Frank Ocean to Jelly Roll and Alison Moyet to Leon Bridges and everything else in between the Boss to Ed its all music and you can always skip to the next track or delete.

I am totally fed up with the world the wars and killing the innocent people getting bombed their homes and house destroyed we never learn we are destroying the planet and risk ending the world in world war three if they are aliens and Ufo's its time that they intervened to safe us from ourselves and save the planet .

Need new pads and discs on the rear of the car took Helen over to Marsden a village a few miles away she had seven readings to do after we went over to the Barracuda Fish and chip shop in Ossett the noise was getting worse .

MONDAY - Took the car to my local garage I used a few years ago and its official I do need new pads and discs It's booked in the cost £275

 planet because as humans we are blind evil and never learn .

BEST YET

 SATURDAY - Pressure jet the patio got a new hose for the Karcher  seemed ok wish they didn't make the hose straight and not coiled up its a mega pain but it seemed ok , also did the gravel .Went to Wentworth garden centre after walking around and buying a few things for the home .We decided to have afternoon tea we both had fish and chips in the Bothy restaurant the meal came with curry sauce I have to say it was one of the nicest curry sauces that  I have ever had with a none  Indian meal the sauce was made in house I 'am guessing .The meal  came in at under fifty pound for the both of us all and all a very good experience .The only issues was the butter was too hard to spread on the bread a real pain .

SUNDAY - Went over to Acaster Malbis to see Helens parents we left mid afternoon Helen had a face time  reading to do from someone living in Costa Rica there is a seven hour time difference .

OUT

 MONDAY -Had so much rain it was constant all day it was raining for at least 18 hours the roads had flooded and water was pooling at the side of some roads the motorway was not too bad .

TUESDAY - October already this time next year I should be retiring and claiming my state pension if this labour government does not fcuk me over , if the next years goes as faster which it will it be gone in the blink of an eye .

My son is back behind bars for not attending hid probation appointments and is currently in Hull prison I received a phone call think this is the worst one he's been to yet he does not learn you wont beat the system , or if you do it certainly wont be the way he's trying .

Friday - Guy released from prison he failed to contact any of the family until late Saturday night and apparently he is living with someone who he was in prison with and both got released on the same time  is this good or bad I have no idea .

HARVESTER & TOBY

 THURSDAY - Went to the Toby carvery for lunch we haven't been in ages a nice surprise its been fully redecorated new carpets paint and out door fences etc looked a lot better .Both ordered the carvery I had beef and pork Helen gammon and Turkey had plenty of mash and roast potatoes covered in gravy no pigs in blankets the food as always was ok I opted for the refill Pepsi which had I known was at a cost of £4.20 I doubt I would have ordered it someone's got to pay for the decorating .

Went to Asda bought dog and cat food totalling just under fifty quid this included biscuits for both and a 40 box of wet food for each will last a week the dry food longer .

SATURDAY - Went to Meadow Hall Helen bought some new trainers and a couple of tops from Fatface she also bought the new YSL Libre perfume Flowers and Flames .

Went to the Harvester Restaurant Helen had the mixed grill which included chicken , steak and gammon I had the triple southern fried burger which was ok a bit dry this also included a trip to the salad bar I had pasta and potato salad to be honest the food was ok .I noticed a Popeyes chicken and German Doner kebab for future visits .

Ordered a new tactical metal wallet and a pressure hose for my Karcher pressure washer from Amazon .

BROKEN BIKE ?

 SATURDAY - Helen had readings so it was late in the afternoon early evening when we went shopping bought the ingredients for a lasagne and a cauliflower and broccoli cheese  bake and baking apples for a apple pie .

Started listening to Jelly Roll what great lyrics and guitar work in his music not sure why I have not heard of him before ? its only because of Post Malones latest album F1 - Trillion I discovered him  he is singing with Post on the track "Loser's" , so thank you Mr Malone .

SUNDAY - Visited Helens mother in her Nhs rehab in York we took her Dad the food we cooked we  put the food in to some Tupperware containers , I don't think he does much cooking we also took some apple pie over Helen baked some individual ones and we all had one when we visited her mum .

MONDAY - My son is back in jail he didn't fulfil the terms of his early release which included going to see his probation officer he never went hence he was arrested not sure why they picked him up hopefully they will lock him up until the new year may he realise he has to change he has to break the cycle this might help .For him to wise up look at his life question his future make changes for the better .

FISHY FRIDAY

 THURSDAY - When someone knows what they have to do but wont do it , when their life is in the gutter and they do nothing to change it , and all the pleading and good advice falls on deaf ears , what do you do .When you have not had a change of clothes or showered , washed your hair brushed your teeth or  even had a shave .you carry your life in a carrier bag and a back pack and don't even have the cheapest of phones so you can be contacted or contact people how do you apply for jobs or ask for help or just speak to someone when you need help its the old scenario you can lead a horse to water shit , but its still fcuking annoying , at what point do you give up its mental torture each time we meet he's a little more unkempt a little bit dirtier and a little more addicted .

FRIDAY - Went to the White Horse Helen paid for lunch after i picked her up from getting her nails done. We both had fish and chips bread butter one pot of tea and half a cider the bill came it was under £25 which I though was good value  not the best but not the worst and very filling 

GEARED UP

 SUNDAY _- Went to Nelson Court in York Helens mother had a bad fall she dislocated her shoulder fractured her arm in three places , broke her nose and badly bruised her face. We spent most of the afternoon in her side room .She will be staying there for a few weeks hopefully Helen's dad will be ok looking after himself , he does not make a great house husband .

MONDAY - Saw my son Guy not in a good place hopefully things will improve for him and his current  situation  state of affairs gets better.

TUESDAY - My daughter and her Husband Josh have agreed to let Guy stay with them only thing is unless Guy comes to see me at work I have no way the good news. My sisters have also bought him new clothes underwear , socks , jeans , joggers , T-shirts and swear shirts which he also has no idea about hopefully I will see him sometime before the weekend .

Helen bought me a pair of walking /trainers for my dog walking she also bought me two plaid shirts now its getting colder all geared up for Autumn , just need a new water proof jacket that's light with a hood and inner pockets .

APPRECIATED

 TUESDAY - Helen bought me some Adidas white with blue strip trainers love getting new shoes cant wear new jeans with old trainers . I also bought six pairs of white and black socks .Helen also  bought some Adidas with the green three stripes  I will buy myself another couple of pairs end of the month and another couple of Levi T-shirts the only other thing I needs is a new water proof coat to wear when I am walking the dogs .

WEDNESDAY  - Worked a full 12 hour shift from six at night until six in the morning I got home just before seven went to bed was up at half ten we had hairdressing appointments three hours sleep is not good .Helens hair appointment takes roughly three hours thought I would get a couple of hours in the car didn't happen .

SATURDAY - Went to Meadow Hall Helen bought me another pair  olive green Adidas training shoes from Sports Direct bless her It is appreciated .

DOCS AND JEANS

 SATURDAY - Got up early had a shower took the dogs out on arriving back home decided to wash all of the house windows including patio doors inside and out including mirrors and shower door it took me a couple of hours but all windows are now crystal clear .Won £3.70 on the Euro Millions no won the jackpot so did a entry for Tuesdays draw  and did a Thunder Ball game for tonight's draw fingers crossed .

SUNDAY - Went to Meadow Hall Helen was after a pair of fur lined Dr Marten Chelsea  boots in brown they were £180 I got her £18 of using my Blue light card I have saved her over £120 in the last few months because of stores who offer discount .

Cooked steak mash potatoes broccoli and green beans for tea the steak  was ok it was a little bit tough after took Helen to spiritualist church , I waited in the car for three hours watched the Nicholas Cage film "Longlegs" and some You Tube .

MONDAY - Back at work not looking forward to it but least it's a job .Helen went to next and bought me some new jeans a pair of bleached , blue and light brown .It's really hard to get button flies for some reason had to get zipper .

t's really hard getting button flies had to get zipper from Next retailers in Huddersfield she is doing lots of readings so she treated me so a big thank you 

TRIMMING BUSH PAINTING A WALL

 THURSDAY - Four more days until I return to work .Was up early had a shower before taking the dogs out for their morning walk the weather was ok could do with more sun and more heat but it is what it is .

dug out the lavender brushes at the front of the house after I trimmed them back with the hedge trimmer I fixed didn't cut through the wire this time .

Helen saw and photographed a u.f.o whilst we was driving to the petrol station in the afternoon I didn't see it as I was driving and we was going down a step hill that joined a main road .

Received a call from my son he was released from prison early they have not sort him out anywhere to live or any work what do they expect him to do he also couldn't get to the bank he doesn't have a bank card so he had no access to any cash not a great start to freedom , pity he is not an illegal immigrant he be house clothed feed and have money in his bank account. This country is fcuking going to the dogs we will be a third world country the way the government is fcuking it up for everyone .

FRIDAY - Went to Helens parents painted the wall they had replaced with board and screed also cut the remaining hedges and bushed that I didn't do when I cut the hedge trimmer cable last week .The picture below was before I painted it you can see the colour difference from one half of the photo to the other half  , now it all looks the same it was hard to see with the afternoon sunshine .

,

FIXED

 TUESDAY - Opened up the edge trimmer which was not that easy they use special screw heads just to make life more difficult also they were narrow gauge and sunk deep in to the handle luckily I had the tools /There was also plastic clips to prise off once you had it opened the wire wrapped round a  ring the wires then went to join on to a capacitor which had terminal caps on the wires both live and neutral I cut these off and I had to order some more of these from Amazon  next day delivery .I did what I could and left it until the terminal end caps are delivered tomorrow what a pain .A new matching Flymo trimmer  the same as currently on Amazon is £85.

 WEDNESDAY - The terminal caps came I joined the live and neutral to the capacitor put the terminal end caps on crimped them in to place screwed the wire clamp back on and screwed the unit back together put the plastic clips in place and plugged it into the mains to my utter amazement it worked I though it might have blown the plug fuse when I sliced through the wire as it tripped the rest of the electrics in their home but it was fine .

Took Rosie to the groomers sure the cost has gone up by another £2 paying £44 she's worth it 

ROCK N ROLLIN AGAIN

 SUNDAY - Helen was out most of the day doing readings at Mystical Moments a shop in near by Slaithwaite a few miles away I dopped her of at half past ten it would be around six when I pick her up. .Bought the ingredients for a stew which I will cook in the slow cooker with dumplings and Yorkshire puddings it will be ready when we get home at around  seven .

MONDAY - Hearing rumours of Oasis getting it back on with confirmation happening tomorrow with more then likely  with venues and tour dates being released .

Went to Helens parents they asked me if I could trim the bushes with the hedge trimmer only cut through the fcuking cable shite how embarrassing

TUESDAY - Its happening -

" The guns have fallen silent 

The stars have aligned 

The great wait is over 

Come see 

It will not be televised "

BREAKING UP

 SATURDAY - It was nice having yesterday off specially since we was in the hospital of a few hours .Helen had a few readings to do today two where coming to the house luckily she was ok although she wa suffering from a headache after using the 4head stick which you apply to your forehead to combat head aches with out the need to pop any tablets .It worked after a hours nap she was 90% better try it if you suffer from headaches its half decent and costs under a fiver.

Early evening went to the local Aldi and Co -op bought a pizza , sweets , grapes , strawberries and dog food and dog biscuits .

SUNDAY - Washed the car and watered the garden both needed doing specially the wheels and hanging baskets .Helen went to church then I took her to Denby Pie Hall two spiritualist were on stage giving messages out , Helen didn't receive any on the way home we got pizza and fries , another weekend done and dusted .

Work on Monday till Friday then a whole nine days off  don't think the weather will be that great but hey ho.

FRIDAY - I break up  to night for a whole nine days off work cant say I am disappointed , I have load of films to watch and a new book to read Shari Lapena "Thing Go Flying" . and a couple of new albums and podcasts so I wont be bored doing nothing .

A&E AGAIN

FRIDAY - Had to take Helen to the doctors with her hiatus hernia long story short they basically told us to go to Huddersfield A&E Department we got there just after half past three.

I had to ring in at work let them know I wouldn't be coming in for my shift at six p.m. , what can I do I know they cant cover it at such short notice but I don't have any other options .

They did her temperature , blood pressure then they took her bloods after this Helen had a i.v drip and other medicine's put into her i.v line they had to re-take her bloods because her potassium levels where too high , this can happen if the torniquet is too tight when drawing the blood , which I think was the case because the second sample came back fine .They did a Ecg that was ok so we was free to go home it was just half past seven o under four hours not a bad result . 

WEEDING

 FRIDAY - Was sent a email from work regarding moving up a band from three to four they are three increments before you reach the top pay scale .You also have to have or be prepared to do Cmi Level three which I will fine mega boring I doubt I will have the inkling to do it the pay difference once you reach the top as it stands now is £1.66 per hour or roughly £273 pounds a month before deductions that's in two years time   .My night rate enhancement drops from hourly rate plus 35% to hourly rate plus 30% and weekend rates drops from hourly plus 69% to hourly rate plus 60%. 

our TRS is currently getting updated on ESR which will give us the current value of our pension pot showing us  the maximum lump sum we can take and our monthly pension payments .As soon as we get the new figures they are all ready six months out of date .

SATURDAY -Helen went to the local optician her new glasses and frames will be over £500  she didn't see that coming .Helen had readings she got picked up with by her friend  . So I cooked a curry rice and fries for my tea .

SUNDAY - Went over to see Helens parents at Acaster watered the garden for them and weeded the block paving on the way home we called in McDonalds had five chicken strips fries and coke Helen had fillet of fish .

WARING LIGHT

 MONDAY - In the last three weeks I have been to work a total of two days. So today its a bit of a downer I know I have to go back but I don't want to go back in the slightest .But I do have a week off at the end of the month roll on the end of the month .

TUESDAY - Driving to work after a couple of miles the tyre pressure loss of air waring light came on drivers rear right showing low pressure I pulled in to a near by car park and inflated the tyre and reset the tyre sensor id the twenty five miles to work without further incident drove home 

WEDNESDAY - Finished my shift its the morning 02.00 am walking up to the car all seems fine .I started the car  no warning light coming on .Got  home no warning light on and I was up just after eight  a.m again no waring light .Rechecked the tyre pressure seems ok checked the other three tyres  all good  if there is a puncture on the rear tyre its very slow , to be honest I wish there was so I could get it fixed will check later today see if its  pressure as dropped any .

SUNDAY DINING

 SATURDAY - Went to Penistone to the Tesco bought all the ingredients to do a  chili bought some nacho chips  and sour cream and some rice and bake in the oven baguettes .

Took the dogs to Winscar reservoir it was early evening the weather was cool and the sun was going down  but they had been in most of the day there was a camper van parked up really want a van one day fingers crossed .

Had to order a new set of door handles for the patio doors the right hand handle broke and is unsafe to use £11.99 of Amazon comes tomorrow .

SUNDAY - Had a shower took the dogs out cooked breakfast no I am bored decided to go out for Sunday lunch went to the Fox House a few miles from where we live , The chef asked me if I wanted one or two roast potatoes being the pig I am I opted for two . I had roast beef and pork cabbage and mash potatoes with stuffing the food was really good just needed more if you have eaten Sunday lunch and you have room for desert then there is something wrong with the portion size ..Went to the local garage and bought some chocolate Crunchie  doughnuts for £1.50 instead of paying £8.95 for a small slice of cheese cake .

THE SHED

 THURSDAY - Next four days off  annual leave for Thursday and Friday woke up to torrential rain not a great start. Finished watching "Control" a film about Ian Curtis of Joy Division portrayed by Sam Riley who got it spot on its a  very sad film  .Have another Sam Riley film to watch "On The Road"  another life story. 

FRIDAY - Drove over to Wetherby to the Days inn Hotel didn't realise the hotel was part of the service station amenities our room was very nice and clean  it had a walk in shower bathroom  with shower gel and soap the bed was quite comfy and had extra pillows the bed linen was all clean they was also coffee /tea making facilities and the tv had You Tube on there was also free wi-fi what more do you need .There was a Gregg's , KFC , Burger King . M$S and Costa .The room was hot so I had a cold shower which was refreshing .

My twin sister and her Husband Alan picked us up in her car just before quarter to seven and we went to the Engine shed a few miles away  it was my daughter's and now husband Josh's wedding evening for those who couldn't attend the wedding in Mauritius  which included all of my close family who was there to take apart in this great event apart from Guy my son , not because he didn't want to be I might add .

The venue was nice large enough had great lighting they had their own hired  DJ playing great music at a cost of £450 .The bar was reasonably priced Helen was on water me cider .We had a really nicely cooked chili con carne and rice with tortilla chips and sour cream and mixed cheese think it was cooked with dark chocolate .

I had a few dances and a few pints not used to drink anymore after four I had enough I could have managed a couple more but didn't.

We got back to our Hotel I was expecting Kfc to be open but it was shut until 09.00 am .No chicken for me .

SATURDAY - Was up for six at half past went down for breakfast had two sausages , two bacon , baked beans and scrambled eggs and two toast a orange juice and cappuccino it was ok there was also croissant's ,  cereal yogurts and preserves .We headed back home just after eight .

CALDERDALE HOSPITAL

 SATURDAY - Woke early again had a shower and shave was still out with the dogs just after six a.m .Listened to the podcast "They Walk Amongst Us" season 9 episode 22 its based on U.K true crime cases that's has happened over the last 100 years , not all murders are solved some cases report on the culprit getting executed by hanging before capital punishment was ended .

The morning was cool with a breeze there where patches of blue skies hopefully the sun will appear during the day 

MONDAY - Its hot and I have to go back to work .

TUESDAY - Helen has made an appointment to go to the Calderdale Hospital to have an endoscopy procedure , a camera down the throat this coming Wednesday .

WEDNESDAY - Had to ring in work tell them after Helens procedure I have to stay with her for 24 hours make sure all is well .

Reached Calderdale Hospital after a forty minute drive got parked up it was red hot .We had to be there for 01.00 pm  Helen had a throat spray and other medication they found three issues and will be referred back to her own G.P .We was out for 15.00 .Had to walk into the main hospital to a cash machine to get money out to pay for the parking it was only £3.00 .It was still hot stopped at Aldi bought a few items coke , eggs , bread bacon and sausages all of life's essentials .

HAIR TODAY GONE TOMORROW

 WEDNESDAY  - Went to Asda  set off just after nine p.m. got there to find out it was closed they are doing a refurb so the store was not open 24/7 so we went home with no provisions at least it was a cheap shop  will have to go back  tomorrow 

THURSDAY - Downloaded all off the Bad Boys films including the new one  that's just come out 

Trip back to Asda after the failed attempt yesterday . Helen manage to walk not too bad she bought furnishings and decorative pumpkins for the house pottery , cushions and throws as well as night light candles and some food items Cajun  chicken  breasts and jacket potatoes and a pkt of coconut macaroons .

FRIDAY - Went to the doctors over at Meltham Helen had an appointment they have decided to send her for an endoscopy it could be between six to eight weeks before we get an appointment she also needs a Mri Scan booking .

Dropped Bailey of above at the groomers for his wash and cut he is a bit wild looking at the moment £42 I pay £12 for my own hair cutting , Rosie gets her trim next month .

Went to Aldi bought two packs of bacon , packet of ham , tiger bloomer , four cans of pear cider , coffee , brown sugar , milk , max crisps jalapeno and cheese , chili sauce , chorizo , cheese , bottled water , two bags of frozen fish , chicken wings and chicken legs , frozen French fries and frozen chips and a large packet of toilet rolls , dishwasher tablets and washing gel for the washing machine just under fifty quid .

BELIEVE

 FRIDAY - Called the doctors they came to visit Helen at our house again he recommended we use ice packs then heat packs,  we do have a wheat bag that you heat up in the microwave every two hours Helen takes paracetamol x 2 then two hours later she take a 30mg and a 15 mg codeine tablet she was able to go for short walks around the garden but the discomfort and pain are still there the doctor said it could be weeks before her condition gets back to normal if that's the case I cant possible go back to work Monday I will need more time off as I cant leave her by herself when she can hardly stand ,move and walk .

SATURDAY - Went to the supermarket to get the ingredients for a chicken noodle stir fry using teriyaki sauce .Helen still not good but a slight improvement from a few days ago when you are getting up at six am its a long day and driving to the shops a few miles away was nice just  to get out  and break the day up I took the bedding off washed it hanged it out to dry and then put it back on never know which way fitted sheets go and duvets are just a pain .

MONDAY - Phoned work I am taking the rest of the week off annual leave to look after Helen luckily it was not a issue hopefully she will improve throughout the week she is still on pain killers , ice packs and heat patches and is getting slightly better , but it is a slow process .

TUESDAY - Went to see the spiritualist and medium Steve Holbrook it is not the first time we have seen him over the years I think this was our fourth visit he was appearing at the spiritualist church that Helen attends .Over hundred people attended we didn't get a message but others did and what he was telling them was very exact and he hit the nail on the head too many time for it to be coincidence anyone who doesn't believe go and see him he is doing a lot of stand ups in various locations , go see him then decide .

LONGEST WAIT

 TUESDAY - Raining although I did manage to get to walk the dogs in between the rain fall .

I buy eggs from a local neigh bough he keeps hens they had one box of six eggs left I dropped £1.50 into the honest box picked up the egg box only to find out it there was no weight to , it was empty someone had returned a box so it could be reused .I rang his door bell he was ok he had eggs inside I got six eggs breakfast is go. Helen has got pain in her lower back I ordered some heat patches and pain relief gel they will come tomorrow .

WEDNESDAY - Had to call the doctors they came out Helen has sever pain in her lower back right hand side .She cant move and it seems to be getting worse hence a visit from the surgery .She was prescribed some Codeine 15mg and ibuprofen gel to rub in to the region of her pain .this was just after midday by seven o clock that evening we had called and ambulance to take her to the newly opened Huddersfield A&E department  .

As always you get assessed in the first thirty minutes then you wait they gave her pain killers she was on a wheel chair we spent the next ten hours waiting to see a doctor  why are the seat all metal they are solid after a few hours your arse is numb .

I asked for more pain killers not for my bum for Helen which where given  hours later we did get to see the doctor he assessed her said he would give her liquid morphine , paracetamol and two suppository's  great this did not happen for another hour only difference know is Helen is laid down rather than sat in a wheel chair finally we got the drugs  .Then we had a hour to wait for the drugs to kick in then we walked up and down the hospital corridor we did this six , seven times the doctor said he was happy for us to go home not as happy as us ,  He said he would  prescribe the tablets  before he would discharge us .Another hours wait and  finally we got the codeine tablets these where 30 mg .

The new department is really nice , clean and new apart from the chairs in the waiting area its a winner but no matter how clean new and high tech it is with out doctors its a waste of money its a massive waiting game moved from one are to another area just to wait the treatment was fine thank you we are grateful , but the time spent waiting well stick it where you put your suppository's.  

THURSDAY - We drove home stopping on the way to get two sugary jam doughnuts we got home just after nine .

Helen went to bed after a cup of tea obviously the morphine and other drugs will wear off we will see what today brings .a few items we need laxatives codeine bungs you up  I through the Senokot on to the front seat .Then remembered I need dog biscuits so i shut the car door and I went back in to the store I remembered I had thrown my wallet on to the car seat I went back to get my wallet the car keys were also on the seat all of the car doors were locked my car for some reason locks all the doors with in seconds its a pain you don't need to press the fob it just does it  you can be sat in the drive seat and the doors lock the electric ignition wont start you have to unlock the doors with the fob to start the car .

I had to get Adam our next door neighbough  to drive down with my spare key luckily he was in and I got back  in to my car , it was the last thing I wanted to happen but it ended well Adam arrived within five minutes after hardly any sleep I was happy .

LOCKED UP

 MONDAY - Received a phone call from my son he is in jail serving a eight week sentence .I told him I had sent him a couple of emails hopefully he will serve his time get out and never go back freedom is to precious life is fleeting the clock ticks for us all don't waste time .I would hate one day in prison the biggest grip from my son is you are always hungry the food you get is not enough you need to top it up with the items you can buy from the prison store but only if you have money in your account and you have to order a week in advance so there is always a week wait from placing any order , Unlike Amazon its not next day delivery .

Went to visit Helens youngest son he is opening his own Barbers shop  , his premises are quite big with various large rooms all on one floor at the moment they are doing repairs to the roof before putting a plaster board ceiling in the main room .the next big job is floor and wall tiles and painting then a clean up.

We all went to Ikea in Birstall they are ripping the store apart think they are building on to the existing store front , We also went to the Range then to Home sense .

On the way how I went through a Red traffic signal not sure why a lapse in concentration stopped at a fish shop for a chippy tea .They wasn't the best we had been there before a couple of years ago they was not how we remembered them should have got a curry sauce but didn't , got a Dr Pepper instead . 

Below barbers chair in Liam's new premises hopefully be open in the next few weeks he ordered a sofa for the customers to sit on which is a six week delivery guess they make them to order .

 

SECOND BEST

 WEDNESDAY - Came home this morning just before 03.00 am it was raining Helen was up watching You Tube featuring Cheddar Gorge .She would like to go back we went years ago one of the reasons we need a camper van is to explore this island where we live called Great Britain to wake up in different locations chill out on a night counting the stars and waking up listening to the birds .

England through to the final of the Euros its a great result is it coming home probably not but there is always a chance one goal is all it takes .

FRIDAY - Break up after tonight's shift nine days off work will do me the weather wont be great as long as I can walk Rosie and Bailey be ok .Be nice to sit in the garden and chill with a cider .

SUNDAY - Reformatted my laptop it was quite easy not like the old days only took twenty minutea hopefully no more pop ups .Dropped Helen off at Denby Dale Pie Hall they are having a psychic night , I will be watching England lose writing this before the game .England lost 2-1 they played better than the rest of the games they played in the tournament but not good enough anyway we came second runners up I guess its a win of sorts .

IN IT TO WIN IT

 SATURDAY - Went to the Springs shopping mall we both bought a white linen shirt  Helens was £70 from Fat Face mine was £8 from H&M. Bought some fish and chips from Marks and Spencer's to oven cook I also got  some M&S  Piri Piri mayo as well as a scotch egg and pork pir slices with egg .Could fill a trolley up quite easily with all the great food they have on sale. England vs Switzerland was live on the radio .

SUNDAY - Liam Helen's son and his girlfriend Mel came to visit us for the first time we haven't  seen Liam in ages and we have never meet his girlfriend before although they have been together since last Christmas .

MONDAY - Back to work just for a week break up Friday for nine days off to say I cant wait would be a lie , Downloaded Amazon Prime photos have uploaded all the photos of my iPhone as long as you have the live subscription to Prime you get unlimited storage .

Sick of the weather summer is not happening the few days of sun is not enough its cold most days  it should be a lot warmer like the England football team and English politics its totally depressing .

In the next day we should hear who has won the camper van we entered the raffle months ago and its finally getting drawn on the 18th of July .Helen wants to go to Cheddar , Scotland and Ireland which suits me fine .

SENT HOME

 MONDAY - Back at work for my first shift wasn't too bad went fast enough four to go break up a week this Friday for another week off . 

TUESDAY - Went to work left  half hour early bad diarrhoea I went three times in the space of a couple of hours and it was getting worse each visit that  I made to the toilet . Plus I was getting stomach pains .

WEDNESDAY - Sick day the policy states got to be diarrhoea free for 24 hours , its 48 hours if its combined with vomiting , or so I thought .

Helen ordered some protein drinks to drink instead of eating  a a meal she ordered enough for twenty eight days to shakes a day .She also sent  samples of her for a sensitivity test  to be done they test for over 600 hundred different things from allergies to intolerances , both the shakes and test had a great saving a quarter of there normal price .

THURSDAY - Went back to work only to be told to go home as it is 48 hours clear not 24 hours and when I mentioned I was still loose was told to return Monday if fit to do so .Who am I to argue .

ITS A WIN

 SATURDAY - Won thirty pounds on the lottery so i put it all back did the Lotto , Euro Millions and thunder ball I have quite a few games over the next week fingers crossed.

  Its amazing how fast time goes when your not at work . Went to Golcar to drop off the lawn mower and wheel barrow we borrowed to do the garden .Had a small bottle of beer and a beef and spring onion sandwich .Went to Bolster farm shop bought to individual cheese cakes for only £2.50  ,  rum trifles and various bread cakes plus a out of this world quiche win win .

SUNDAY - Chill out day did naff all did some beef in the slow cooker , with dumplings and pancakes six and a half hours in the making twenty minutes to eat it .

FIRST BARBIE 2024

 MONDAY - Went over to my Daughters house got there just before midday the sun was hot clear blue skies .We stopped on the way to buy some hedge cutters and a new spray attachment for the hose .

We cut down a load of overgrown bushes , ivy entwined with some other bush and two giant palm trees over fifteen foot tall which we also  trimmed back the lower leaves and there was loads of waste .We filled the brown bin  to the top as well a dozen green bin liners but the garden looked better , and the electric  horning that sits over the patio doors actually had room to extended out .

Josh came home from work and fired up the barbeque we had sausages , burgers , belly pork , chicken skewers and kebabs our first barbeque of the year and the first barbeque they had in their new home .

The best thing about no twilight shift is i can sit in the garden and see the night gradually get darker and see the solar lights we have scatted about the garden magically turn on , sometimes it the simple things that make the day special a added can of ice cold cider helps too .

FRIDAY - Speed awareness course completed was up really early .Took the dogs out just after six a.m it was cold .Got to the course venue at quarter past seven the course started at eight a good seventy five percent where men it was over just after eleven it was informative it made sense and I learnt a couple of things I didn't know prior to the course so and it was enjoyable not a total waste of time going , but hopefully I will never need to do another will cant for the next three years .