The rain has gone, for now at least, and surprisingly for a Bank Holiday weekend (UK), it’s forecast to be very warm and sunny. I popped out Saturday around 10am, and it was already 19C. The next few days are set to be sunny, as mentioned, though by Tuesday we could have more rain. By then, I think we’ll need some, just not copious amounts thank you very much.

After providing my financial details, I had a small reduction in my Council Tax. Not much, but anything helps. I have £20 in grocery vouchers that will buy a bottle of the hard stuff soon; seriously, the drinks cabinet is very desolate with just a single of vodka languishing in the bottle, and one bottle of wine. There’s food in there lol, just very little alcohol. I managed to sell something that I don’t want anymore, so I should see some money for that next month. I’d love to sell some plates I have – Russian Fairy Tale plates – but frankly I don’t think anyone will buy them. They’re lovely, and weren’t cheap, but where do I put them? They’ve been in a box for years! If I had a bigger house, and a dresser, they’d look fantastic on it. Oh well.

I’ve given up on trying to find the farm shop and garden centre. With such a small garden, I daren’t be tempted by any plants, and even if I did like the farm shop, it takes too long to get to, to make it a viable alternative to the supermarket. With that in mind, I decided to visit a smaller, more local farm shop on Sunday. Armed with the Sat nav and paper directions, I set off, got so far, and the Sat nav chimed: you have reached your destination. Well, I hadn’t, and was about to pull over and look at my own instructions when I espied a signpost. Marvellous! It’s quite a basic farm shop, with plenty of meat and veg for sale; no frills, though hopefully that keeps the costs down. I bought some bacon, and cubed steak for another day, and the taste will determine if I visit again, though I did spot some frozen T-bone steak at quite a reasonable price; 60th birthday meal in a couple of months maybe? Salivating at the thought… lol. So, not a fancy shop, but good prices from what I saw, and an easy journey of less than 5 miles. Sorted!

Travel time is a problem here and was also an issue when we lived above Walsall (West Midlands, England) several years ago – the roads were so busy, and congested, that going anywhere took such a long time. We had so many fruitless journeys, sat in traffic, that we gave up on any kind of social life except on rare occasions. Here, despite being able to go out any day of the week, I leave most of my outings until the weekend. If I go out in the week, not only do I have to put up with impatient commuters, I also risk not being able to park in my street all day due to people going into town who are too mean to pay for parking; far better to block the neighbouring streets all day with their cars! So, anyone who thinks retired people shouldn’t shop on the weekends, to leave room for the workers, can bite me! Me, in a mood? LMAO

Sunday, my lovely neighbours woke me at 2.30am slamming the door as they came in or went out; who knows? I swear, the house shook. It took me almost an hour to fall asleep again, only for them to wake me again at 5.30am shouting, and then leaving the house. Give me strength. My son is seriously considering doing an MA after he graduates. As an alumnus, he’d get a large discount, though it’s only valid for 2 years after graduation. That could mean we’d be in this house for, possibly, another 2 years. Oh dear… Maybe the neighbours will move away? One can only hope.

I have a pork loin joint, on the bone, cooking slowly, and the smell is divine! Despite the heat, we shall enjoy that later with the roasties we didn’t have when the oven broke down. Nice!

Enjoy what’s left of the weekend and have a good week.