What a lovely day.
The sunshine has lifted my drooping sprits.
Out in the garden tidying and creating has been the tonic to beat all tonics. Thank you Lord.
On the inside I made some curtains for the conservatory and completed the look with the addition of wicker baskets and retro wireless. I think I'll do my sewing out there seeing as Spring is making a welcomereturn.
And as Mr Horsehound is away for a day or two (friends barbeque etc etc) I'll have time to read, sew and generally let my hair down. Hey anyone want to join me?

All this hoo hah over debates and whether or not Cameron will do a head-to-head with Mr Miliband has whetted my already big appetite for the circus of the soon to be held General Election. What a debacle.
I know very little about what goes on in the corridors of power or inside the head of politicians but even my small brain has figured  that a Cameron non-show with Miliband will do the leader a great deal of harm indeed.
A seven person event is going ahead featuring the main party leaders and non-entities like the Greens ( apologies to Green supporters) will be abysmal. There they'll be...The Welsh, The Scots, UKIP and others answering quick fire questions quickly in order to get on to the next quick fire question.

Cameron should be ashamed of himself.
Instead of standing erect as leader of the Conservatives and Prime Minster he'll be no more than one of the group, one of the others..
Imagine Mrs Thatcher agreeing to that? She would want top billing and centre stage. It'll be interesting to see where Dave stands.
I see a picture in my mind....
Dave in the middle and fanning out around him like small tattered inconsequential wings the leaders of several other parties. Who, I wonder, will make up the appendages... UKIP I'm sure. Probably a little party like Plaid Cymru, Respect Party, Ulster Unionists, Labour Party, Cleggs Lot and just to add to the fun of it ...The right wingish Britanicca Party, The Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist) and for good measure the No Candidate Deserves My Vote party.
I can't wait....

Turkey Balls

Um....
Now you all know I'm old. And seen and done a lot of things. A few even legal. And I came to the conclusion that not a lot freaks me out. But when I heard that the World Cup finals would be held very near to Christmas Day I got choked up.
Never in the history of Ridiculous Stuff Happening At Ridiculous Times has a stupid decision like this been made.

Christmas is frantic enough as it is but to have Supreme Footie shot at us while we're thinking of stuffing Turkeys is too much for my plate. Mate.

Having said that I CAN'T WAIT!

My New Bathroom

Work in progress but chuffed with it so far...

Right Said Fred Gotta Do The Ceiling

Apart from doing the ceiling, the bathroom is almost complete.
Plumber man was a dream. No fuss. No rush. Entire life history expelled over tea and ham rolls. Nice chap. reminded me of Hugh Laurie. Only Laurie is posher.
He and Mr Hairy Suit did a fine job of converting my rust bucket hell hole of a bathroom into a white Victorian STYLE bathroom complete with mouldings and flowers and little taps.
I spent yesterday just looking at it.
Today, however I went in and Gloriafied it. Flowers in fine jugs, white and brown wicker baskets, lace doileys, a yellow metal kitty, mirrors that shine brilliantly and all signs of John's dandruff shampoo locked away in the white cupboard I rescued from a charity shop for £2.
It's beautiful.
Pictures to come......

Bit Early

The plumber arrived a tad early but I was overjoyed to see him. Mr Hairy Suit likewise.
They are still at it.
Maybe if they didn't chatter over tea so much it might get done sooner. But I'm not complaining, no not at all, I love my plumber. He's short in stature but big in cleverness and ideas. He and Hairy Suit are getting on very well. Two know alls!

Apart from being tea lady I've kept myself out of the way by making bread and vegetable dishes and puddings (info on My Table).

I peeped in while the lads supped tea and it's looking awful/wonderful. Tiles missing/water damage from years of drips/cupboard yanked from wall/sparkly lavatory.

As the bread rises I'm planning the decor. A couple of artificial ferns and a gaily coloured blind for starters...

Saturday Disco At Rayleigh Conservative Club

Mark and I waiting for our fish and chips before going to the disco

Mark with one of his lady friends dancing in front of a group of his peers from the Mushroom Theatre Company

Two Marks. Rt Honourable Mark Francois MP and Gorgeous Mark receiving a cheque for the group.

Yes Sir, we can boogie

Spot the wacko

One cider

Winter is giving me the pip.
I went out this afternoon wrapped up like mummy, only wanted some butter, but as I was out and near the charity shop, I thought it'd do no harm to pop in.
Joan, my old favourite volunteer, was just doing up her brown coat.
"Oh there you are" she said head cocked to one side and a wee half smile on her face
I immediately felt in the wrong.
Joan is lovely, a bit of a talker and gasbag, but wise and warm and has always offered me hugs when times were bad.
"Yeah" said I sloping towards her arms outstretched.
"Well, where you bin? asked she
"Nowhere, just been cutting up vegetables"
As I disentangled myself from her mumsie grip I held her hands and asked about her family wondering if her very sick daughter had improved.
"I'll tell you next week" she said "When we've got more time"
I sensed there would be much befriending next week and so as she walked away I promised I'd be in next Thursday possibly with cake.
"You'd better be" she joshed.
Dear Joan, built like an over fed auntie and with the faith of Job...





Oh God, I miss International Football.
England aren't playing until 27th March. Lithuania at Wembley. A friendly. March March March...
That's when the Riverside caravan site re-opens and work starts on my decking. Already have the wood just need to stick it together.
Daffs, decking, football and Spring.
I can't wait.