Laarn-don

Well I got my wish and managed to christen the new fork before going off for my training course. The angled handle really makes a difference when you go to do the first lift and turn of a spit. The handle is some sort of soft grip effect and nice to work with. I like my new toy!! If you're looking for an inexpensive set of tools you could do worse than keep an eye out for these 2 when they're on offer together.

The end of last week took me to London for training on the new IT systems we'll be using in a weeks time. We go live with them on the first day of our new term - brilliant timing!! Not looking forwards to that. I was staying in a hotel just off the end of Brick Lane - with this great juxtaposition of a view outside. Rundown graffitied derelict buildings in the foreground with the shiny gherkin behind. It's near Aldgate East station - one of those with a few odd original bits left like the fantastically retro looking [except presumably they're original so therefore can't really be called 'retro'? Vintage maybe? Answers on a postcard please!] signs telling you which way to go. I love those little individualistic notes in an otherwise rushed world; people with no time to notice them as they pass by on their way to and from the daily grind. Sad really. Or maybe I'm assuming too much apathy on their behalf and these little touches are what keeps people living in and loving London. Who knows?

Lovely things

The lovely Chap got me a present yesterday as a surprise. A brand spanking new garden fork and spade set!! I've felt bereft since breaking my fork recently, and he was worried the spade may be going the same way as they both have wooden handles and have been out in the weather for the last 3 years. These are Spear & Jackson ones - with nice sized comfy feeling grips on the handle and an angled shaft to make the digging easier. They have a 5 year guarantee on and were £20 for the set of 2 from Screwfix.* [We'd been looking at potential replacements last week.] Chap said if you bought them individually they'd set you back £15 each instead, or £30 for the pair. Needless to say I'm delighted - what a star he is! Thank you darling!! I can't wait to get down the plot and try them out - I'm hoping to get away from work close enough to on time tonight to nip in and have a quick go before it gets too dark. Otherwise it'll have to wait to next week as I'm off for a training course for work tomorrow and Friday, then we're catching the Chiefs game at London Irish on Saturday. Fingers crossed for the Chiefs! *Can't seem to see them as a set of 2 there now - perhaps it was a limited time offer. The set had three 5 star reviews though so I'm expecting good things. :-)

Quick quick post

Another 'one good and one bad thing' post.

Love this ingenious use of a recycled tin and a party popper casing for bird feeders here - seen at the local St Bridget Nursery. These have holes punched in the base and a seed & fat mixture inside. And yes; if you're wondering we were there buying seeds! I just can't stop myself... We got these nifty little free guides as well. Also - by searching the ranges available we got the radish seeds for £2.29 for 60 from the Suttons range as opposed to the first pack we picked up - £3.99 for 30 seeds from Unwins! Half the seeds for nearly double the price, go figure. (As an aside to this I find Mr Fothergills good value for money and they don't charge P&P for seed only orders as opposed to T&M who do and take longer to dispatch.)

Gutted and really rather annoyed at myself - managed to break my trusty fork at the weekend trying to extract a big tuffet of grass from a path on the allotment. I can't believe my honourable friend is busted. :-( Think I'll have to borrow the chaps until I decide on a replacement - his already has a broken tine though!

Well, off to Dorset for the weekend for Ma's birthday, fingers crossed for the sun!