18.05.2024 It's hell out there!

 ~o~

  Saturday 18th 55F [7.15] Bright sunshine again. It could top out at over 22C/72F today. 

 Up at 6.45 after waking at 5am. Because of the bank holiday it was recycling bin day but I didn't know that.

A better picture of the roadside lilac in sunshine.

 09.30 61F/16C. Returned from a warm walk to the lanes. Countless birds in the hedgerows. Saw several warblers moving between trees. A solitary swallow. Loads of skylarks. The garden trees are full of birds as well. I can hear the tiny wren competing with all the other birds. 

 The traffic was very light on the outward leg. Busier on my return. Scrap man has dumped more scrap. I haven't seen him for ages. 

  15.00 72F/22C. I have been mowing the lawn under a merciless sun! I would still be out there but the batteries went flat.

 I found a bike shop in the city. Where they were willing to search for a replacement frame spring for the broken Con-Tec saddle. They have sent me a message. Unfortunately the wholesaler won't have spares until November! 

 Dinner was salad. Boiled eggs might have been nice but it was already late after washing up. 

I had better go out and tidy up the mower. The ants are still waging war with me on the kitchen window sill. An asymmetric war with no winners.

 

  ~o~

17.05.2024 Heads you win. Hearts you lose!

 ~o~

  Friday 17th 55F/13C [6.30] Another warm, sunny and breezy day is offered. 

 Up at 5am. Escaping from the torment of memories.

 It is finally heart scan day at the city hospital. My original appointment was cancelled three weeks ago. I shall go in the Morris.

13.30 71F/22C. Returned from the hospital. The radiologists were young and pleasant and fun. Everything was said and done in English. My doctor  will get the scan results eventually. It was hard to stay awake in the warm sunshine driving back.

 The bike shop rang to say they still haven't matched the Magura hose fittings. Bank holiday on Monday. So who knows when I'll get my e-bike back. 

 That was quick! I just had a secure message from the consultant at the hospital. My scans show I have calcification of my three main arteries. They are suggesting I take several medications in future to combat this problem. A catheter examination is also recommended. Though the 1% risk of a brain clot doesn't sound very healthy! 

 Dinner was tweggs, chicken and mushrooms.

 

 

  ~o~

16.05.2024 Hiding from the sun.

 ~o~

  Thursday 16th 63F/17C [8.45] Another warm, breezy and sunny day.

Up at 5.0. Regurgitating bad memories. Ribs hurting. Cough and congestion gone.

8.30 Returned from a short walk looping along the drives. Warblers singing. Skylarks overhead.

Went back to bed to catch up.

11.15 I rang the bike shop to see what's happening. Hmm. They have not received the Magura brake hose fittings yet! Disappointing.

11.45 Another mound of washing up completed. 

 17.30 Returned from a drive into the village for groceries. Bright and warm but very windy! The promised phone call on brake hose updates never came. (Sniff!) 😭

 Dinner was a salmon pasty and chips. The mini oven doesn't reach the indicated temperature. I checked the baking tray with a pistol remote thermometer. 175C instead of 230C. It takes far longer than the cooking instructions to brown chips. The pasty took 40 minutes to brown and swell. What to do about it? I haven't a clue. I am not buying another old fashioned cooker! Nor a replacement mini-oven.

 

  ~o~