WHITBY ONCE MORE

 FRIDAY -Set of for Whitby we didn't leave until 12.30 and it is a two and a half hour drive filled the car up with petrol that's sixty quid gone in the first ten minutes of our journey .The sun was out the air con was on and we were in no rush finally made it to Whitby  just off the harbour paid a ten quid parking fee , before strolling around the shops .It was hot and sunny a glorious day .

If you are wanting fish and chips then there is only one restaurant in Whitby to go to and that's "The Magpie" we had to queue for fifteen minutes to get a table it is worth the wait we were second in the queue some people had booked and walked in ahead of everyone queuing which is fair play

The fish was spot on the batter crispy the fish whiter than white the curry sauce very decent and the Magners Irish cider could have been colder although I got it with ice I paid for a large haddock instead of the regular Helen got the regular and I couldn't see the difference I think it is a con the same happened at Murgatroyd's size was the same as Helen's regular fish think its a way to generate more money will stop going large .Bought a post card 40p .

After eating we drove over to Scarborough we use the Sea Life car park and went to the Old Scalby Mills pub .I had a cider in Whitby so I had a coffee Helen a tea we sat on the outside wooden benches watching the sea.

BETTER PIZZA

 THURSDAY - Went back to the garden centre returned a box of solar powered string lights we had more than enough with two boxes , I got a refund I also ended up buying a Japanese Acer tree for the front garden £129 no doubt it will survive long after I am gone I planted it in a big stone pot we bought a few weeks ago I planted it myself its called Groot .

Fired up the pizza oven on the way home from Uppermill called into Tesco and bought two pizza bases cheating I know but a lot less hassle making the dough from scratch does not seem to be ideal it is also messy .The pre made pizza bases is the way to go the enter and exit the oven a lot easier than wet dough and cook and taste as good if not better. I had pepperoni with mascarpone and mozzarella cheese  one pizza is enough. It was the best yet .

 FRIDAY - It is cooler today we are setting off to Whitby at around half past twelve hopefully eating at the Magpie café decided to but a post card of every place we visit scribble on what we did and safe it for future reference should have done this years ago a great way to reflect on things in the past , hope I remember . 

FRESH PRODUCE

WEDNESDAY - Cooked outside did the bacon and egg sandwiches on the camping stove we bought a while back .The temperature outside it was already  in the mid 25's  and rising way too warm for slaving over a indoor cooker. I am sure the bacon tasted tastier cooking it outside that's three different ways I have cooked outdoors in as many days if ever the gas electric got cut off we wouldn't starve the only draw back is the great British weather  yesterday afternoon after being red hot for the best part of the day before we lit the pizza oven it rained it was still sunny but now sunny and wet .

Being off work is nice doing nothing all day is nice too , drinking apple and mango cider with ice is extremely nice eating outdoors the best not leaving home very cost effective if there are planning another lock down I wont argue .

Went to the Albion farm shop bought various produce including both white and granary breadcakes  lamb chops for Helen I also bought some fudge and tomatoes topping for the pizza bases we bought a scotch egg to eat at the picnic tables outside on the way home stopped of at the Dobcross garden centre bought some solar powered string lights which we hung up all along the garden fence panels 32 metres not the worlds biggest garden but it is one of the nicest gardens on the block even if I say so myself .

NOT COOKING WITH GAS

 TUESDAY - Finally used the pizza oven made the pizza dough from scratch was a lot of prep like always  preparation is everything .You need to be ready with the pizza at the right time to cook it perfect it is an art form and like anything you learn from your mistakes but saying that it is not impossible to get a very tasty pizza on the first run .

Keep the fire box constantly burning it does not take long for the pellets to burn away the the temperature then drops pretty quick once there is no fuel it does not take long for a tinder box of pellets  to burn away so keep adding more pellets .Another tip make sure everything is to hand the blow torch , tongs , pellets and your toppings tomato and cheese and digital thermometer .Once the flames are peaking through the chimney throw in the pizza keep rotating the pie  and be careful not to burn it from uncooked to black in a blink of an eye obviously you don't want  no black crust .and be mindful flour get everywhere just live with it its not the end of the world having a thin film of flour dust everywhere where you are making pizza .it is stressful the pressure is on but it is fun and get it right which you will the end result is worth it .Leave the cleaning to the following day its outdoors anyway .

BARBIE NO2 2026

 SATURDAY - Ten hours in Huddersfield A&E not what we envisaged for the first day of my time off ,Got out just before ten Helen had a ecg , and cat scan plus bloods and other tests she was let home on the way home bought a pizza to cook in our regular oven ,The pizza oven was delivered along with a bag of pellets , blow torch and digital thermometer  my coffee Mokka pot also and 5 x xxl black fruit of the loom T-shirts .Will open the George Foreman Pizza oven tomorrow .

SUNDAY - At Helens parents doing some gardening it is another red hot day and little fun was had toiling away pulling weeds put we did it was that hot I even said yes to a can of cold Spanish lager.

MONDAY - Had a barbie the second one of 2026  we had sausages , burgers and butter and garlic chicken breast and skewers and jacket potatoes washed down with some mango cider .When the food is on the grill it never looks enough but the reality is there is also way too much '

PIZZA TIME

 SUNDAY - Went to Hampson's garden centre  bought some more flowers for the hanging baskets I got some rum and raisin fudge .We drove to Canon Hall somewhere we have not been for ages bought a stone planter a metal rustic poppy head and a few more plants cant have enough plants .Cooked a wagyu steak for tea with chunky chips and stemmed broccoli the steak was from Aldi was one of the best steaks I have had in a long time .

MONDAY - Took the cover off the patio furniture mid afternoon I had washed and cleaned the car and was sat in the sun just a few hours before leaving to go to work .On the way back home in the early hours of the morning it was raining .Helen had covered the furniture back over .I break up this Saturday for two week annual leave . 

FRIDAY - Ordered a George Foreman pizza oven , a slatted table a blow torch and a digital laser thermometer and some wood pellets just so we can cook a few pizzas in the garden hopefully weather permitting .Work is a total shit show so glad i am off for the next sixteen days .This afternoon was the hottest weather we have had this year in the sun was out in all its glory .

THE BEST

 SATURDAY - Thinking of buying a mod out iPod classic I have a 160gb classic already but what it cost to mod it its as cheap getting one already done costing around  £199 .I want one with a see through clear case black scroll wheel and aluminium back case , will also get a leather case and some decent wired iem's. 

Went to the old St Mary's chapel near Towton a big battle of the roses occurred in 1461  it lasted for ten hours 50000 men showed up and  between 3000 to 4000 lost their lives , and  the near by stream rang red with blood .The Church was already there some of the soldiers took refuge there the night before the battle commenced .Hopefully all saw the following day .

From there we went to Woodbank garden centre which took ages to get there was ok .We finished off buy going to Murgatroyd's at Yeadon  for fish and chips it has been years since we was there last .I am not giving them a bad review as it was all ok but being honest we both agreed we both think that that Wetherby Whaler are better based on the batter ,chips and for me the curry sauce 9.25/10 saying that Murgatroyd's are still a good 8.75/10 the only fish shop I rate higher is the Magpie at Whitby we will be going there week after next hopefully weather permitting .I break up next Friday for 16 days they will be no work .

  

IT LIVES

 THURSDAY - Planted the fern £199 quid's worth of plant in the ground growing in the garden  hopefully it lives long and grows stronger year after year . Went to pick the duvet up from the cleaners all washed and dry and looking good as new .Drove down to Hampson's garden centre Helen spent £160 on plants and meatal hanging basket plus liner .I bought four pork pirs some salted caramel fudge and a slice of cherry pie .That's tea sorted tonight .On the way back home we stopped at the local garden centre Totties Helen bought a metal sunflower plaque and I bought to resin head planters for the back garden  £60 for both . 

FRIDAY - Went to Home Bragins we bought some xxl wash gel and fabric conditioner and a load of different bird foods got the dogs some treats and the cat a giant bag of dreamies . 

Took Helen for her nail appointment I went to the farm shop and bought a freshly cooked beef brisket sandwich which I shared with the dogs ,Picked Helen up went to Aldi .Put the sunflower ornament on the gardens back fence looks o,k , 

MONEY GOES

 Sunday – Helen put all her items away it was half past four the weekender event was finished.

We went to the Sovereign Inn for another Sunday dinner Helen had the turkey I had the trio as I always do, we had a side of pigs in blankets and cauliflower cheese with drinks the bill was over sixty pounds. We went home and chilled the rest of the evening.

MONDAY – Went to Gordon Rigg Garden centre it’s just over an hour’s drive every time we go the sat nav takes us a different route, Helen was keen to buy an Australian fern tree this is going to be  the most expensive thing growing  in the garden at £199 hopefully it survives the British winter's we get at Hade Edge ,  she also bought trays of flowers for the three hanging baskets in the rear garden along with three liners also for the hanging baskets an expensive morning shop. I had to lay the fern down in the boot with the rear seats down it just went in.

TUESDAY – Monki pooed on our bed to make it worse she had the runs this happened when I was at work she sits on my clothes at the side of the bed whilst I am gone I scolded her first time ever nothing too harsh she knew I was annoyed I raised my voice it startled her I think   it was more upsetting for me .The bedding came off and  went into our washing machine we bagged the 13.5 tog duvet in an Ikea bag for washing to a local laundry establishment at a cost of £34 we can’t pick it up until Thursday afternoon. both dogs went to the groomers £90 , we went to Dunhlem bought a 10.5 tog king size duvet at a cost of  £75we decided on a  lesser tog rating for the summer months but to be honest its nowhere near summer at the moment .

Went to McDonalds for double sausage egg muffins with egg and cheese, hash browns a fresh orange for Helen and a caramel frappe for me £18 today is getting as expensive as yesterday.

A VERY SPIRITUAL WEEKEND

 SATURDAY - Helen was at the Masonic Hall in Huddersfield she had a table and was  doing readings form the morning to late afternoon it was her first ever event she was a little  nervous to start with but her nerves didn't last long I helped her set up her table and put her banners in place . There must have been over forty different vendors and half a dozen Psychic and Tarot readers .Everyone had good vibes and a few of us  finished the day all getting fish and chips eating them in the bar area before all  attending a performance of  two spiritualist mediums that were doing a psychic stand up  Adrian Clarke and Vicky Newton I had only three hours sleep I was nodding off I was too relaxed sorry guy's .

SUNDAY - Back ay the Masonic Hall for another fun day we did not have to get there early as we did have to do ant setting up .I went home midday to check on the dogs and get some shopping in .

Bought a book by Liam Browne "Dealer to Healer" he has been on Dragons Den getting three of the dragons to invest in his cacao business , he signed the book for me a truly great man .  

NOTHING GOING ON

 SATURDAY - Gave the sheds another coat of black and did the void space in between  them both with a 4" paint roller .

In the afternoon we went to Gordon Rigg garden centre in Todmorden we go roughly two , three times a year .We went via Saddleworth and Dobcross it is a bit longer but way more scenic .Passed a farm shop I had never seen before Albion farm shop will have to go for breakfast there when I am off in a few weeks .

 We got to the garden centre just after three the burger van was just shutting shop no burgers today .We ended up buying three terracotta plant pots at £24.99 each  , a painted pot and various plants total spend £198 on the way out there was an  ice cream van got Helen a chocolate ice cream  99 with two flakes I got an Almond Magnum.

SUNDAY - The dogs didn't get their morning walk it was way too wet and windy .Went to the garden centre bought 3 x compost and one of bark .The bark is to cover over the wires for the lights and pump wires for the water feature.

Went to the Red Kite for Sunday dinner I had the trio of meat Helen had the turkey we order more Yorkshire puddings , pig in blankets and cauliflower cheese we couldn't eat it all .The cauliflower cheese and the parsnips were under cooked and roasted .

MONDAY - THURSDAY - Nothing happening the weather is totally rubbish cold and grey not much sun I went out and bought a new hoddie in black to keep warm it was reduced to £27 .Took Helen for her eye lashes doing other than that its been work sleep eat repeat hopefully the weather will get better towards the end of the week want another barbie .

RUNNING WELL

 MONDAY - The four tier stone/slate effect water feature was delivered mid afternoon we unpacked it loads of polystyrene and got it set up and working there is two plugs one for the water pump and one for the lights .I ordered a water proof box to hose an extension lead its a collapsible one .Also ordered a orbital sander the sheds need sanding downing and re doing the paint work .We have temporality plugged the water feature into an extension reel and placed it inside the shed to keep it from getting wet should it rain .I also ordered a fish net to get any debris and leave out of the water should need arise .

THURSDAY - The painting of the sheds are nearly done will give them another coat but for the moment we are chilling out the water feature has been properly wire din and is now all water proof the covers are off the patio furniture and we are sat out in the sun  eating salmon sandwiches' and drinking coffee .I am on my laptop writing this the only draw back is I have to go to work at 16.30 never mind its nearly the weekend .

FRIDAY - Went to the yet again  tip , if it's not the tip it is either  a garden centre ,or  a D.i.y store I had  a load of polystyrene and cardboard plus a few bags of garden waste and some domestic waste. I had the afternoon sat in the sun first time for ages chilling in the sun .The water feature is quite loud a constant sound of running water we have not had to add anymore water so it is holding well .