I’m sure many fans noticed how the deluge coincided exactly with the playing of Graham Taylor’s favourite “Raining in my Heart” that they played over the tannoy before the game. Started and finished almost exactly with the song. Then we score on 72’. Now, I’m not religious, nor believe in Fate or anything like that, but let’s say I found those to be two beautiful coincidences yesterday.
Morning all. Wet and windy, but not as bad here as some parts of the country that have been having gales. Something approaching a general strike is taking place this Thursday, as people are not happy about the raising of the retirement age. Currently you retire at 62, but the government has said it will have to be 64 in the future. It is proposed to add 3 months on each year, so 8 years before it gets to the 64 figure. Private pensions are not normal here, although they are available, with people relying on their contributions over the years to the state. Also, some jobs, such as police, firefighters, train drivers, occupations thought to have high stress levels, have retirement earlier, 58 in some cases. These special conditions to employment rights in these categories are to disappear. They have been talking about it for five years, but now it is likely to happen, the workers are in revolt. Have a good day everyone.
Whereas in the UK it's the government that are revolting... I don't know what it's like elsewhere today, but it's absolutely freezing up here at the moment. Light snow, but so cold it's freezing almost as soon as it falls, making walking hazardous. Rather than slide the half mile to collect a prescription from the chemist, I took the car - the outdoor temperature reading was -11. So I've turned the central heating up a few notches and, sorry dog, I fully intend to stay indoors for the rest of the day.
Morning all. Woke up to an eerie silence, and when I pulled backed the blinds, found that we had a light covering of snow. It is not below freezing, so the lane is still clear, but I will have to clear Mme's car so she can go out shortly. Since she had her operation, there have been regular check-ups, and yesterday afternoon she visited the hospital for the latest one. As we arrived, the air ambulance was taking off from the helipad, a vital service that saved my friends' life when he had a heart attack. I do wonder why in the UK this is still run by a charity? Have a good day everyone.
Evening all. Picked up my new modem yesterday, a much later model than the existing one, and it seems to have done the job as the internet seems stable now, and the Wi-Fi is faster. Looking forward to a day at home, but of course life is never that simple. "There is no hot water coming out of the kitchen tap". The water heater under the sink seems to given up the ghost through old age. Having looked to see what a direct replacement is going to cost, I find it is no longer made, and my choice governed by size is limited. Still, I found one in town that should do the job, so ordered it for collection in under two hours. When I get to the store, they know nothing about the order until I show them my phone with the confirmation e-mail. Lots of huffing and puffing before a man appears from the storeroom with it. By the time I arrive home it is too late to start plumbing, which I hate anyway, so it can wait until tomorrow. We do have a working kettle after all.
New Zealand's PM Jacinda Ardern had resigned, stating that she no longer has "enough in the tank" to continue on. Such a shame that her counterparts in the UK haven't been so honest - they seemed to cling on because they didn't yet have "enough in the bank". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-64327224
Morning all. Cold, 1°C currently, and only expected to rise to 5 degrees during the day. There is no snow here now after the light dusting we had on Tuesday, and my daughter who lives 8 miles away didn't see any at all. Lunchtime kick off for Mme's physio today, so a good reason not to start the plumbing. More logs need bringing in for the wood burner so that is ready to go this afternoon. I am resisting the urge to turn the electric central heating on, which takes no effort, but a radiator is not as appealing as seeing flames behind the glass door. Keep warm wherever you are.
Morning all. Cloudy, but temperature has stayed above freezing. Plumbing all done successfully, but I now ache in various places. My plumber friend in England reckoned that after twenty years in the job, his knees were shot. I fully understand his problem, and I was only at it a couple of hours. Shopping now, then home in time for the game, I hope. Have a good day everyone.
Afternoon all. I had plans for today, but hoping it would warm up a bit before I ventured out. It hasn't, so given the wood burner a good clean out, relaid it, and now there are flames. The stores have the seed potatoes and shallots in stock, to make you think the gardening season is just around the corner, but just as I started to think what I should be doing to get some ground prepared, light snow has started to fall. A lazy day in store now. Enjoy your day.
Morning all. Cloudy and cold, with a maximum temperature of 3°C forecast. My daughter in Aylesbury said it was down to -6°C there, so I am not complaining. I need a few electrical bits to change some wiring. I thought I had what I needed, and do have most of them, but will have to go and buy the rest. The DIY store where I am going will have a bumper January just on my purchases alone. Have a good day everyone.
Man from Octopus energy here today trying to connect our gas meter to our electric meter smart meter with boosters.... Currently we are getting ridiculously low bills as Octopus is believing we are consuming zero gas....... The joys of modern technology....
Morning all. Still very cold, and totally overcast. My knowledge of French expletives needs to be expanded. Internet working well, but no fixed line phone. The help pages take you round and round in circles, test this, then that, but no further forward. The robot, so-called helpers, ask questions that might have something to do with your problem, but after several options tried you find out that they don't. Speaking to an actual living person is not encouraged. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Cloudy again and still cold. We haven't seen the sun for days now, which is quite depressing. While reprogramming my telephone rather late last night, I managed to press the wrong key, and phoned my granddaughter in Poitiers. She texted her mother to see if we were alright, getting her out of bed to see what message she had received. She phoned us, established that it was me being clumsy, and was texting her daughter back to say what had happened. More joy of modern technology, and me being careless. I must be more careful as I sort out the ringtone, if I can find it in the menu. Have a good day everyone.
Afternoon all. The weather has not improved, in fact it has worsened. Took Mme for some physio and the mist became thicker the further we went, and the temperature was stuck on 0° C. The cranes are still in the fields en-route, although not so many. I guess they will not be flying further south now, but spreading out a bit as they search for food. Have a good day everyone.
