A little while back, I wrote to the local council, then the regional council, and finally the highways people about the parking and access issues that we experience here. Eventually, I had a reply stating that the issue had been resolved, and the matter closed. When I replied to the email, asking how it had been resolved, the email was ‘bounced’ back as being an email that one couldn’t reply to. Marvellous! Basically, I’d stated that if they turn the whole area into permit parking only, they’d get money from us residents for the permits, and it would force those blocking our streets to park in town and pay for parking. A little effort on their part, and money coming in on a regular basis. This week I think we’ve seen how they’ve solved the issue: at the top of each road, they’ve planted a sign stating no cars or bikes except for access. Oh yes, that’ll stop them. So far, the impact on parking has been… a big fat zero! What we need now is the police to patrol, and ticket anyone parking here who doesn’t live here; well we know that won’t happen. Honestly, I’ve never lived anywhere with such an apathetic council.

The dog is going for a much-needed bath next week. I had planned to bath him myself, with the aid of my son, after a failed attempt at the groomers late December – basically they didn’t book it, despite me standing there, and even gave me a card detailing the booking. This time I’ve already phoned to ensure that the booking is there rather than another failed visit. I had bought dog shampoo to do the job ourselves, but we can’t use the shower due to a leak; this has now been going on for almost 7 weeks, and still no call to state when the builder will start the work. Can you believe it? When we move, I shall be going out of my way to avoid this, and possibly any, agent as they are useless! I shall also be writing to their head office to detail my extreme dissatisfaction. I can’t do it beforehand in case they decide to evict us under the ‘no fault eviction’ get-out clause that these people have. Anyway… breathe Fran…

I know our weather has been bad here in the UK, but I’m really feeling the cold lately and some nights it’s been keeping me awake. Last night, Friday night, I had the best sleep I’ve had in ages. I fell asleep around 10pm, woke very briefly around 4am, then woke again just before 6am and then got up. I have a 13.5 tog duvet which is a warm one, a quilted bedspread on top of that and pyjamas on. Because I’ve been cold, I also wore a cardigan my Mother knitted a long time ago, and on top of my pyjamas, I wore some thin joggers. I was cosy! Lol. I’ve read that as we get older, we often feel the cold more, and our skin starts to thin too; I’ve noticed, on my shins in particular, that I can often see my veins and recently, the nurse commented on this on checking my hands. My shins look as if someone has drawn on me with a ballpoint pen! If my skin is thinning, and we feel colder due to loss of fat layer under the skin, then why the frell am I not losing weight! LMAO

One day in the week we had some moments, albeit brief ones, of sunny periods. That same day we had snow flurries, we had rain too, some hail, and of course some high winds. Talk about changeable! The heavy rain for Friday didn’t materialise, thankfully, though I’m beginning to suspect it’s merely a day late, and we’re forecast high winds today, but a sunny day for Sunday; I’ll believe that if I see it.

I’m sure I had something ‘profound’ to impart, however as usual, my memory fails me lol. In the meantime, have a great weekend, not forgetting that it’s still February – leap year. Happy ‘real’ birthday to those born on 29th February!