Our New Life in Devon

 Not much happening here atm as I'm staying in as much as possible to rest my broken ankle. Although it doesn't hurt to walk on it I'm very conscious of the fact it is broken and I should limit walking. Quite difficult when pain doesn't remind you though. Daughter hasn't had much luck recently as all her downstairs electric went off on Sunday. Managed to get an electrician out to check and next day to rewire the downstairs lighting. He couldn't trace the fault but it all worked fine. Eldest son plastered in the channels he cut, then when it was dry daughter started painting. She loosened the socket the boiler fitter's electrician had installed for power to the boiler and all the lights went out again.  Closer inspection revealed he had put the screw holding the cover plate on through the brown live cable inside the socket! This meant the screw was live so thankfully granddaughter never touched this switch. I told her he needs reporting for this as it's v...

 Came home from daughter's home yesterday and it was great to get back to normality! First day we were there 2 men arrived to take the kitchen units that daughter has sold. OH helped to remove them. They loaded it all in their van then came in and said it wasn't what they really wanted! Strange people but they paid daughter first so all ok. Left the worktops and gas hob outside the front door and drove off. Next day she sold the sink unit which made it really difficult to wash up with no taps or hot water. Actually the only water was in the downstairs cloakroom so washing cups in a plastic bowl balanced on a low set of steps. Personally I would have kept the sink unit until the cupboards are delivered which is in 3-4 weeks time. OH started filling in the holes in the walls and then sanding it flat ready to paint which made a lot of dust.  Monday the plumber came to remove the boiler and fit a new one in the utility room. So everything had to come out of Ava's bedroom, floor...

Drying by the Fire  It's raining every day here which is quite depressing atm. OH took the dogs for a walk today but they weren't really keen as they hate rain. Love the sea and swimming, lying in muddy puddles but raining is a no go lol. I'm sitting down with my feet up resting my broken ankle - it's a great excuse lol. We are watching Mr Bates vs the Post Office on TV again tonight. Its the last episode. So sad those poor people prosecuted for theft that they didn't do. Some even went to prison including our local postmaster where we used to live. The corner shop was owned by a lovely family and their son was the postmaster. He was imprisoned for 18months for theft. Rumours spread and his mum was telling people it was the Horizon system faulty but nobody believed her. They lost the business and their home. We're subjected to racist abuse, it was terrible. He was very fast and polite very efficient. We used that post office all the time. The shop across the roa...

 Well where do I start with this? Christmas went well and Ava DGD had loads of lovely presents from everyone and Santa, including a skateboard - more on that later. Our youngest son came for 2 nights as he had work on 27th so left on Boxing Day. Doing well now as his back has improved a lot and he's almost working full time, after gradually returning to work. We all ate Xmas Dinner on Xmas Eve as we never have the dinner on the actual day. OH cooked a lovely meal, roast pork and turkey. Daughter liked her saucepan set we bought her for the new kitchen she's having next month. Sadly daughter dropped a plate on her foot and bruised her toes. The next day she managed to knock down a large umbrella that I'd hung up high on a hook to wash the floor. Unfortunately it hit her other foot and looks like it's broken her toe.  Now Ava wanted to play on her skateboard but it was raining hard outside. As we have a long 18ft uncluttered living room I thought she would be ok practisin...

 Finally feel I'm making progress with Xmas as now the last of the presents are ordered and hopefully will be here this week. OH has trimmed up the Xmas tree in the garden and we've bought a tiny one for the house. He's put up all the lights and decorations ready for when Lily and Ava come at the weekend. They are staying until Boxing Day. Spare room has been cleaned ready for beds to be put up and made, washing and ironing up to date, turkey and joints of meat in the clean freezer, Xmas mugs and plates washed in the cupboard, so all ticking over nicely. Still need to sort the office as the spare bed in there is full of wrapping paper, cards and presents. I've been busy cooking this week mainly to use up what was in the freezer to give it all a fresh start. So far I've made 2 blackberry and apple sponges, cheese bacon and spinach quiche, huntsman chicken, and pork chops with blackberry sauce. We didn't like the blackberry sauce so apart from that all the rest wa...

 Out shopping again today and managed to finish buying all the alcohol we give to our Adult children. Popped in the chemist and I was offered a blood pressure test. They are running free testing in Boots here to pick up anyone with undiagnosed high blood pressure. Mine was slightly over normal but ok for now. Went in the bank and got some cash for 2 of the eldest grandchildren for Xmas; one loves hitting the shops and the other is saving up for a game so they will be pleased with that. Almost finished getting all the biscuits, crackers, mince pies etc that I've stored in a kitchen cupboard and told OH not to touch until family comes here at Xmas time. I've put a note on the shelf to remind him lolol.              The forbidden food lolol In our last home I used to put it all above my wardrobe, but the top of the wardrobe here is full of spare duvets pillows etc ready for overnight visitors. Just need a Yule log and a tin of biscuits and dry goods ...

 Managed to go out and get started on the Xmas shopping yesterday, first time since I came home. I'm on antibiotics, steroids, inhaler, coldsore cream, actimel (for the bad stomach from the antibiotics) and sudafed. Did a Covid test which was negative. Lots of people online saying they have this - they call it the 3 week cold! Some think it could be a new Covid varient not being picked up by the tests. It's a really bad cold, no temperature but a bad chest infection. Saw a doctor last week who put me on a nebuliser in the surgery. Never had one before. Normally I don't take any regular medication just use the inhaler once or twice when I walk uphill, every couple of months. I'm definitely improving this week and catching up on cleaning and washing. We're still trying to empty the freezer so tomorrow I'm cooking blackberry and apple sponge and maybe a fruit crumble too. That should use up the fruit we have left. Wrote all the Xmas cards and posted them today. I k...