Jo’s Birthday

Yesterday was Jo’s birthday. to celebrate we went out for an Indian meal at the Saffron Gold in Warwick.

We were accompanied by our friends Richard and Chrissie on nb Mandalay.

The birthday girl with Chrissie.

Richard an me. We all had a wonderful meal, and Jo and I look forward to revisiting the restaurant again in the future. It was a trial run for me as to whether or not eating later in the day would agree with me, as we have been having our main meal at lunchtime since I left hospital. So far this morning everything is ok, another step forward. It was great to have Richard and Chrissie join us, we all had a great time together.

Keith.

St. Georges Parade through Warwick

Keith.

Unveiling Bernard’s Plaque

Bernard with his plaque ready to be unveiled.

The speeches.

The mayor of Warwick unveils the plaque.

The attendees.

The plaque.

Keith.

Bernard the Willow Bear Arrives at Saltisford Arm

Bernard the willow bear arrives in Alan and Chris’s trailer, more accustomed to transporting Alpacas around.

He is maneuvered towards his ragged staff in the orchard.

Lining him up to his post.

Alan poses with his creation, which amazingly looks just like a real bear. A bear is on the coat-of-arms of Warwick.

Keith.

Final Hospital Visit

I had my final visit to the hospital today, the bag was removed (along with all the hairs on my tummy!) and now just a sticky plaster until the hole completely seals. To celebrate Jo and I went into Leamington Spa, as we had day tickets for the bus, and had a lovely Chinese buffet at the “Oriental Star”.

 

Of course when I say final visit, it was for my gallbladder problem, this coming Monday we have to return to the hospital, but this time for an MRI scan on my spine.

We can also send off the form for my nose operation.

Keith.

Visitors to our Garden Today.

Bumble Bee.

Male Sparrow.

Female Sparrow.

Magpie.

Blue Tit.

Robin.

Dunnock.

Keith.

More Work on the Garden.

This morning Jo and I walked into town to buy 2 large pots for our Clematis plants, and ended up buying them and some rose bushes, another Clematis, and some chilli & pepper seeds. This is the first time I have walked to and from the town without stopping for a coffee and sit down.

Jo planted the Clematises in the new pots, this one has 2 plants in it.

Then Jo planted the roses in the garden.

I collected more pebbles and stones for our rockery, which is now looking good.

These are gooseberry bushes we were given by a neighbour which Jo planted yesterday.

These are Jo’s runner beans which she planted out yesterday having started them off in a propagator.

We are not sure what this plant is, the one with the white flowers, but it looks very nice at the moment.

Keith

Busy in the Garden Day.

Jo and I have both been busy in the garden today. Jo planted 3 gooseberry bushes for me, and then sorted out some more of her seeds, etc. I did some more stone and pebble collecting for the rockery.

Keith.

Maffi Visits Us

 

We had a nice surprise visit from Maffi today. Of course when I say surprise visit, I did know he was heading our way, but not sure when he would get here. We had a good chat over tea & biscuits, it has been a while since we last met and and we all had a lot to chat about. The weather was nice enough to sit outside on our mooring. As you can see Paddy definitely enjoyed Maffi’s visit, he does like a fuss, Paddy that is! Marmite couldn’t care less, she was more interested in the birds on the bird feeder.

Later on Jo and I did some more work on the garden, I collected stones and pebbles for the rockery. Since the rain a lot of these stones and pebbles have come to the surface and are easy to pick up.

Keith.

2-Up 2-Downs

A row of 4 terraced 2-up 2-down houses made with Bayko.

Keith.

T-tube Removal

Jo & I really do wonder how on earth the NHS manages to survive.

I had my Liver blood test 2 weeks ago and was told they would send an appointment for my t-tube removal. To be doubly sure they would not forget, Jo rang the ward clerk to check they had put in for the appointment to be told "Oh yes it has been ordered".

So two weeks on we have heard nothing, so with nothing in the post this morning, Jo rang the ward again this afternoon to see if an appointment had actually been booked yet. Jo was told by the ward sister, that according to the booking clerk nothing had been booked, so the sister then rang the consultants secretary to be told there was nothing till May but if we wanted to go to the ward this week they could do it. So we are going to the ward today for a blood test first and if that is OK, they will remove the t-tube. (Fingers Crossed).
Now why could they not book that in the first place?

Yesterday morning Paddy jumped up at me and caught my tube and bag, which caused me a lot of pain. Thankfully that has settled down, but the sooner the tube comes out the better.

 

Update to this mornings posting, T-tube successfully removed, and I didn’t feel  a thing. Just got to wait for the hole to seal up and heal.

Keith.

Bayko

I have recently been getting together some Bayko bits and pieces from off of eBay. Bayko is a building system first produced in 1934. Our family had some during my childhood, which although I don’t remember, my sisters say we had some, but I do remember regularly visiting some friends of our parents whose children had some also.

I thought it would make a good attractor of customers to our boat when we are trading. It is a very simple building system using rods inserted into bases and then brick blocks, door, windows, etc. slotted in between the rods.

 

This is an example of how it goes together, showing the green base with the holes in it for the rods, the rods inserted and brick blocks, doors and windows fitted in between. The metal strip on top is to hold the rods together at the top, and to keep them in line. I somehow think that it wouldn’t be sold for children these days due to “health & safety” and the concerns about the rods used.

This was my first example of what can be built, a small bungalow.

From the original 2 sets I purchased on eBay, I have added to them with special parts which were not available in the sets, for example the fencing and gates.

This is my latest creation which I built yesterday. It is using the large roof and gable roofs which I recently purchased. I have a book of plans which came with one of the sets, but I prefer to experiment with my own designs. I had also thought that I would use it with my narrow gauge “OO” scale model railway which I want to build in our garden, but it is actually “O” gauge scale!

Keith.

Wetherspoons Curry Club

Yesterday Jo and I walked to our local Wetherspoons “The Thomas Lloyd” with our friends Ian & Irene. It was fortuitous as it was Curry club day, and we both love their curry club.

We both had the large curries which added the onion bhaji  and samosa. Not much room on our plates. This is the biggest meal I have had so far and I almost finished it, I had to leave a bit of the naan bread, but the rest went. I also couldn’t quite finish my pint of Ruddles, but Jo helped me out there. I am sure beer drinking will come back to me in time, especially as my taste buds are still all over the place.

We had a great chat with Ian & Irene, and it was a great break for them having come down the Hatton flight, and before continuing southwards to Oxford.

Today I had to walk into town to post an item I had sold on eBay. On my return walk I popped into Sainsbury’s and bought 2 Clematis  plants which are to grow on our boundary fence. Jo has repotted them and put them out already.

Keith.

Doctor Check-up

I went to the GP's with Jo this morning for a check-up. We now know that I lost 3 stone in weight whilst in hospital, but I have put a bit back on which is great news. We walked into town to get my prescriptions and a coffee, we then walked back to the boat, my longest walk so far. Some more good news is our new back cabin mattress has arrived and looks great. Thanks to Foam for Comfort, we should now both get a good nights sleep. 

 

Keith.