11.08.2025 The Reolink elixer of youth!

 ~o~

  Monday 11th 53F/11.7C [7.30] Bright.A sunny day though with some cloud. Winds lighter.

 Up at 6.40 after an unusually quiet night. I only got up twice. 

 I am expecting a pair of goatskin, TIG welding gloves today. Hopefully these will allow me to clear a lot of thistles in the garden. None of my industrial/builders gloves provide remotely enough protection from the spikes. I was tempted to ride the 40km to the stockist but the wind wasn't encouraging. So I ordered them online.   

 Which kept me at home to make an even worse mess! The fish tank now needs to be refilled. In its new home at the bottom of the stairs. The inside is covered in ugly algae. So it needs to be scraped. At least I have much better access now. With no fish to hamper progress. 

 I'll have to provide power for the filters and lights at the new site. Probably from upstairs. Only an extension lead with a multi-socket to an existing outlet. The electricity demand is very low. 

 8.10 I ought to go for a walk. 

 Half an hour's walk in lots more traffic. The holidays must be coming to an end. My lovely young neighbour was exercising one of her beautiful horses and gave me a wave. 

 The paddocks are being steadily expanded downhill. Towards the lowest point. Planting and mowing grass to provide a smooth lawn on the newly raised ground. New fence posts have been erected along the edge of the field. It's a shame I can't see the horses. Due to the dense tree growth in the abandoned garden next to my parking space. The marshy area in the back field is currently decorated by pretty, Purple loosestrife. Lythrum salicaria.

 The dustbin man obviously couldn't be bothered to check that the recycling bin was empty. It wasn't. It was still half full of waste paper! He wouldn't have lasted long in the good old days. When heavy metal dustbins had to be lifted onto their backs. Often being carried across the street to the lorry. Up steps and down if necessary. Before being tipped manually. Then returned to its owner. 

 Now they only have to move the bin a few inches before it is hooked, lifted and tipped automatically, The neighbour's cat was unnerved. By the racket the bin made. As I trundled it back. The cat was hovering in the drive but made a run for it as I approached.

 10.30 The aquarium is refilled. It is so easy with a hose and cold water from the kitchen tap. I bought an adapter which is fitted in place of the aerator. No need to match temperatures from a pumped container in the bath. The water will soon clear and match the room temperature. The ugly patches on the wall are from numerous heating systems over the years. I should have painted the wall white before placing the tank there. Perhaps I should paint around the tank?

 10.50 I've just had a notification that my welding gloves parcel has arrived in the village. I need more groceries but have been waiting for the parcel. To avoid duplicating journeys. I might as well go now in the car. Then I can do more tidying before lunch.

 11.45 Back from the village. 

12.00 The gloves work a treat on thistles.  Though it is tiring pulling them up by the roots. No punctures so far. I haven't dared to try them on brambles yet.

 Reolink has just updated its security camera app. It magically made me 20 years younger! I am no longer moving in slow motion. Like some 100 year old survivor of an unimaginable holocaust. Which made me look utterly decrepit! I wonder if the next update will give me more hair? Then I can continue building my career as a [mature] babe magnet.

 Dinner was poached eggs on toast. I tried to do something else at the same time and the eggs were hard boiled. Silly old wotsit! 

  

  ~o~