Random Wittering

Yesterday we went to a BBQ, we wanted to say goodbye to some fellow boaters who have decided to move back to dry land.
Unfortunately for me it was a hog roast and not a BBQ, I don't eat pork, still the coleslaw was lovely. Steve enjoyed himself socialising with all the people. I walked the dog around the grounds so I was able to avoid talking to people.

It was 33 degrees here yesterday, far too hot for comfort I made sure Beano had plenty of water and kept him in the shade as much as possible. The evening was worse as Steve is very security conscious and will insist on locking all the doors, window's and hatches as though we were in the middle on an inner city ghetto, rather than in the middle of nowhere. Eventually words were had and he relented.

We moved today, just over a mile so only a two mile walk for Beano and I.

I locked Steve through the first lock and then walked to the car, the plan was to move the car to our final destination for the day and then walk back along the towpath towards Steve ready to open the bridge for him.

Beano had other ideas, we've never left Steve when the boat is moving, we usually walk the towpath. We got as far as the road and Beano lay down and refused to move.

Fortunately he is only a small dog so I carried him to the car. Once the car was parked and we were on the towpath again Beano trotted along happily enough. He's quite bright so I'm hopeful that next time he will come to the car willingly and not need carrying.

I usually cook a roast dinner on Sunday but I quick check of the fridge shows that a few things need using up so I'm doing spicy chicken pieces with bacon rashers, sauteed potatoes and garlic bread. That will empty the fridge ready for next time we go shopping, probably on Wednesday.

Livid

My youngest dgd had a taster morning at school on Thursday.

She stomped out at lunch time and she was livid.

DD asked her what the problem was.

It seems she wanted to stay all day and she hadn't been given any homework!

Thank you

Thank you for all the advice, I have emailed the surgery with my concerns.

I have requested that both mine and Steve's records are marked Hearing Impaired.

I have explained how difficult the system is to use as I cannot hear to use the phone and the reception area is too noisy for me to hear clearly.

I have also explained the situation with regards Steve's ID.

I have said that I believe the system to be discriminatory.

I now await a reply.

At the end of my tether

I went to the Dr's today to collect hearing aid batteries and another prescription for Steve.

Whilst there I enquired about the outstanding telephone appointment with regards  my hearing aids.

It seems the system has changed, nice of them to tell me!

I now have to phone the surgery every morning at 8am to enquire as to whether or not there is an appointment available.

I really struggled at the reception desk to hear what was being said as there were three receptionists all talking at once.

I'm really going to struggle to phone at 8am as that is a busy part of my day.

I'm also really going to struggle to make the call as I cannot hear to use my phone even on hands free.

A face to face appointment might be a little easier but as my hearing isn't deemed to be a priority I can't have a face to face appointment.

An online system is being introduced, the receptionist didn't have the courtesy to tell me this. I had to go and look for it. I have registered to use this but it's not working correctly yet and when it is I have to take in my driving licence as proof of ID. 
Steve cannot register for this as he has no driving licence or passport.
I'd quite like to sit down and howl.

Vegan Market

There was a vegan market in Newbury last weekend, I went with DD1 and her family.

I bought two pies, one lentil and one curry, I shared them with my granddaughter.

I also bought two bars of soap, I love nice soap.

My dgd who is five walked around the market with me and when she was tired we sat on a bench and had a drink.

At one point she turned to me and asked 
'When mummy was a little girl, did she sleep in had own bed all night?'

I immediately replied 'Not until she was 15, so you've got a few years before you need to worry.'

I know that dgd is a very light sleeper as was DD1 and I know she often wanders into mum and dad's bed.

I also know that dgd worries because her twin brother rarely get into mum and dad's bed, she worries that this makes her 'naughty' despite reassurance from mummy and daddy.

She giggled at my reply and shared it with DD1 when we met up again, hopefully I have added a little comfort and reassurance to her world.

It worked

I finally managed to get two tee shirts from a local charity shop. One navy and one pink.
I have sewn them to the skirts I bought earlier in the year.
The navy tee I attached to the skirt that is navy, bottle green and burgundy. The pink tee I sewed to the skirt that has a lot of pink in it.

No pics I'm afraid as the dresses look terrible on a hanger but they are comfortable and I don't have to worry about them coming adrift when I working a lock.

To answer a couple of comments.

Beano has a life jacket so even if he's off the lead he is still safe.

I eat a good diet, I hate sweet potatoes and just seem to need the extra boost a banana gives me.

Doing the the dog walk shuffle

Get a dog, they said it will be good for you.
Just think of all the walking you will do.

I used to walk every day anyway, I'd choose a place and walk there at speed. Then I'd turn around and walk back slower.

Until Beano was safe to be let off the lead my walks with him were stop start stop start with frequent sidesteps to avoid him when he found something interesting to sniff.

Now he can walk off the lead I can walk at my speed though I sometimes stop dead when he starts to gallop around me as he occasionally misjudges his aim and annoyingly me.