Tangled up in blue

Another grey day, although the sun did manage to break through again at lunchtime. But very cold again – the local reading is 2C. And its due to fall to -4C overnight.

Max was really happy to be allowed back out for a proper walk this morning. We went to Broadstone Rec. I bandaged his leg to keep it clean, but he was dashing around and bouncing about. Being a typical Springer. This was him on our walk hoping that I would throw a cone for him…



On the subject of dogs I forgot to mention yesterday that Chris managed to bring Jez home covered in fox poo. His attempts to clean her up weren’t very successful, so it fell to me to try and scrub round her neck and get it clean (by then it had dried into her fur in clumps). Needless to say after that she’s wanted nothing more to do with me. She was not impressed.

We watched Hell’s Kitchen USA last night and were very disappointed that Gordon didn’t get bopped after all. That contestant must be really stupid: firstly, he got himself thrown out of the competition for nothing, and secondly, I don’t fancy most people’s chances again Gordon as he is big and very fit.

Now seems a good time for one of my catch up subjects. Over the past year we’ve gradually been doing work on the house, or in most cases, having it done. Last summer I decorated the kitchen and 2 bedrooms; we’ve have the en suite bathroom replaced; 2 radiators have been removed which has meant we now have new kitchen flooring; one of the bedrooms now has new bedrooms and new wardrobes (which we still have to assemble); we’ve had our old TV aerial replaced; the fascias and guttering replaced; a new fuse box, kitchen lights replaced and other odds of electrical work done. I think that’s about it. Of course, we still have to replace the roof tiles on our front porch, as 2 old ones broke on the roof and you haven’t been able to buy any that will fit with them for years. We have the tiles – but it’s been too cold to attempt it.

So with all this work you’d think that would be enough spending, wouldn’t you. But we seem to be going through one of those periods where everything goes wrong or the work has a knock on effect. For example, when we had the fascias done we had to have the TV aerial guy back as the wiring had come undone. Then, as soon as the electrics had been fixed the central heating packed up. It was something really simple, but still cost over £60. Then Chris’ PC went wrong last week – or more precisely the graphics card started playing up, followed swiftly by the network card. So we had another £60 plus bill to get the PC tested & our suspicions confirmed, plus £90 for a new graphics card. Then last week my gas hob started playing up, although that seems to have righted itself now. But we’re waiting for the next thing to go. Oh, and I forgot that the oil filter on the car sprang a leak 2 days before Xmas.

I suppose it’s not surprising. The house and many of the things in it are at that age where they are due to go wrong or be replaced. A couple of weeks ago I finally bought a new microwave – I’ve been considering it for months. My old one was 23 years old and although it was still going I felt I needed to get a bit more up to date. I doubt if I’ll get 23 years out of my new one. No doubt the TVs will be next – the one in the living room is Mark & Katja’s old one. But then I have a small Sony portable upstairs which is 27 years old and still going strong. Sadly it does not have the right connections for modern equipment. Oh, and our CD player is playing up – every time you turn it on it automatically goes into repeat mode. I’m wondering what we are going to have to fork out on this year.

One thing we are thinking about is replacing the boiler. We are eligible for one of these £400 government grants given that age of the boiler. We’ve asked for a quote, but are in two minds about whether to go ahead. I’ve been told a couple of times that although our boiler is inefficient and is 28 years old, there is very little in it to go wrong. But new boilers have a nasty habit of only lasting a few years, can go wrong frequently, and cost a fortune to fix when they do go wrong. Plus we will have to have our hot water tank replaced at the same time and the boiler outlets moved. We may well actually be better to stick with what we have, even though it’s not very environmentally friendly.

At least I shouldn’t have much decorating to do this year. Only the main bedroom, and possibly Chris’ study, which is small, need doing. But at least I’ve decorated them both before and there is no more wallpaper to remove before we paint, so they should be quite quick. Perhaps this year I can get some work done in the garden, as the front garden is desperately in need of some sort of makeover.

Chris has taken the dogs over the Heath this afternoon. He said Max jumped in every muddy puddle he could find. When I took his bandage off the gauze underneath was filthy. So I’ve washed his leg off again and it looks nice & clean and seems to be healing well. He’s got his buster collar back on now.

I think that’s about it. We’ve got stir fry beef for dinner tonight (leftover from the Pot Roast). I’m not sure whether to cook noodles or rice with it. Then Chris is watching the footie. We’ve only got Sky Sports on my iPhone (too expensive otherwise), so he has to watch it on that. I think I’ll watch the last programme on Gordon Ramsey in India.