Why do people put stuff they are trying to forget about but not throw away into their knicker drawer? I was rooting around the other day looking for something and came across my old Nokia 3210 phone. A fairly similar looking model to the one about to be re-released. Then spying a small box I took a look inside and found a couple of old watches one of which I still quite like.
Both the phone and a watch have now been 'resurrected.' The phone for about £5 and the watch for £10. God knows I don't need either but it was quite a satisfying experience getting them both looking smart and working again.
I had never been to a Turkish bath before and that changed on Wednesday last. Harrogate baths are in the magnificent Victorian building on Parliament Street. Jan was having yet more 'beauty' treatment in another part of the building so I whiled away the waiting time getting very hot and sweaty.
Grief now I know what it's like to steam a vegetable (yes Craig I know I'm a vegetable). OK you start with the steam room which is scalding hot. I only managed 10 minutes because I started to worry that my watch might cook, then after a shower you spend the next half hour in three different rooms of escalating heat. The last one so hot it was difficult to walk on the floor. After yet another shower you can cool down in yet another room (bypassing the freezing cold plunge pool which was definitely not for me.)
It was an interesting experience and one I'll definitely do again.
With visitors over the weekend we had two quite different meals out. One was outstanding and one disappointing.
The first was at The Star Inn at Harome. At any level it was difficult to criticise the food or service, it was outstanding. A top class meal in a thatched cottage, who would have thought it?
The second I won't name because Jan wrote directly to them and complained. A few days later a nice chap phoned and made all the right noises and said he would send us a voucher for £50 by way of recompense. See how easily we can be bribed.
We're still not sure how he got our phone number.
I have never knowingly been in a Weatherspoons pub before but have now visited what must be the grandest of all.
Jan was visiting Harrogate Turkish Baths for whatever women do in these places and I was scheduled to meet her. By mistake I entered the very grand place next door. Instead of going into the baths I walked into the most elegant pub you have ever seen. Take a look at their pictures.
After a bit of cajoling from me we eventually had the Carlin Peas. I was intrigued because never having heard of them before and with a very unappetising appearance (the peas not me) Jan cooked them and you know what they tasted like peas. I could have done without the addition of malt vinegar when serving them but they were actually quite nice.
Today is International Women's Day. I'm not sure why international women need a 'day' but there you go.
Is there such a thing as International Men's Day I hear you ask? Do you care?
PS. The answer is November 19th. See you did care!
The question is do you still take the time off if you know that there are headaches in the family?
I was reminded by Jan this morning that I didn't write much last week. I presume she just wants to know what's going on!
Anyway, as the title doesn't really suggest I've been helping a chap, who lives nearby, to lay a more robust path through his bit of private woods. We use these very pretty woods from time to time and, after rain, some of the paths get very muddy and are difficult to walk on.
I responded to a plea for help that was posted at the entrance to the woods. It's very hard physical work removing stones from the adjacent river and after an hour or so on Monday mornings I'm wacked.
Still, Jan gives me a pat on the head which is all a man could ask for.
The top picture attempts to show a before and after shot of the path with Jan lurking in the distant background. The bottom picture attempts to show a finished section with snowdrops at the side.
David Bailey I am not.
I suppose it had to happen sometime.
We were sitting watching television and Jan said, 'I hope that's not our car.'
'Sorry,' I said, 'what are you talking about?'
It wasn't until I walked outside that I could hear a house alarm nearby wailing its head off.
That and a bit of tinnitus in my left ear made me visit the doctor. He arranged a hearing test which has confirmed a hearing loss in both ears and the need for hearing aids.
The only upside to this is that I can now legitimately tell Jan that I didn't hear one of her many instructions. Pardon?
