Author: peterb51

3rd December 2018

I decided to visit my friend Martin who lives in the wilds of Whitney on Wye. The journey didn’t get off to a good start as there were long delays on the road leading up to the M4 due to an accident on the motorway, and the closure of two lanes. After an hour of utter frustration, I was in two minds to abandon the trip altogether. When I reached the motorway entry I could see the traffic stretching out to the horizon. Instead of turning round I decided to head north and head for the M5 and get off at Ross on Wye, and make my way across country.

I eventually arrived, the journey taking over four hours leaving me tired and a little pissed.

This set the tone for the day.

Martin has his medical issues, bloody hundreds of them. His current situation is that he has severed tendons in both shoulders, so is unable to train (I suspect the reason for his injury) or lift anything heavier than a fork.

They also have a new Newfoundland puppy. I cannot hide my raised eyebrows, as they have little money as it is to live on.

And thereby is my dilemma, he has little consideration for anyone else. He decides what he wants and just ploughs on and gets it without any consultation with his wife Liz. I cannot sit silent, and often my comments causes him to go off on a sulk. His wife is a remarkable lady, she puts up with his tantrums, anger, and selfish manner. She looks after him, the home, and the dogs with little complaint. The furniture in their home has been systematically destroyed by his destructive actions. I often remind him that it’s Liz’s home too, but it’s like I’m attacking him, and he gets all defensive.

I suggested he sell some of his training equipment that dominate the living room, as he is unlikely to be able to use them for the next two years. In his eyes I had caused the biggest insult to his manhood, to even think of this as an option was out of the question.

I have been friends with him for over twenty-five years, I have heard so many times about his imminent death, I have become immune to it. Everything centres around him, he’s not interested in things I’ve done, and even makes me feel bad about being normal and healthy.

I left, just as exhausted as I arrived, suggestions/advice given, but unlikely to be acted on.

1st December 2018

Wow Bath was busier than I have ever seen it before. I had forgotten that the Christmas market was in town sucking in everyone from around the UK. Innocently I had arranged a coffee meeting with my old classmates from the Bath Art School (63 to 68) not realising the mass of bodies in the city. It was like swimming against the tide and it made me feel uncomfortable. Of course trying to find a table at the Boston Tea Party was also impossible, but eventually I was joined by three others, so we had a great reunion.

It is so refreshing that we slotted in so easily, the number of our class is slowly increasing, and if there were any of the teachers still alive we could pick up where we left off and carry on our education.

Afterwards I drove down to Barrington for what will be my last night under Nicola and Colin’s roof.

It was with a little sadness, I’d driven the same route so many times that it became automatic. The warmth that I received when I arrived could only come from family. Without their support I couldn’t have coped with everything, but they, and my son Ryan and his wife Louise got me through this, and I’m glad I did it.

30th November 2018

The washing machine was delivered this morning. Two burley guys knocked at the door gasping for breath, checking if it was the correct address. To their disappointment I confirmed it was, and I showed them where it had to go. Off they went back to the van to get the appliance. I could hear them staggering up the slope, it is the second part pathway that gets you. It turns ninety degrees and the angle increases, so the calf muscles really take the strain. They then had to navigate the first of the steps, the real killers. The machine is heavy as it is a washer and dryer, but they made it to the front door. Up some more steps and through the lounge, the finish line was now in sight. Up a couple more steps, and they reached the utility space where they set it down. A quick lesson in how to remove the transit bolts and they were off, no doubt cursing me and my location, but they certainly were quicker on the way back.

29th November 2018

Kelli told me a funny story this evening. She was driving to Hudsonville to deliver a large dresser to a customer when she heard a whinny noise coming from the back of the truck. Off went the fan and radio as she listened intently for the noise. We recently had some work done on the rear brakes, and with a older truck you expect things to wear out. Kelli was starting to get concerned as none of her actions changed the noise. Eventually she got to the address and hauled the dresser out, that is when she discovered what the noise was. Somehow the trigger on the electric drill got caught on something just enough to cause the motor to turn, making the noise. When she told me this I laughed out loud. Often you have to be there to appreciate the humour, but these “Mr Bean” moments leave us in stitches, but more importantly, there was nothing wrong with the truck.

28th November 2018

Andy stopped off to fit a sealed spigot for the washing machine waste pipe.

I had to go into Trowbridge to find a present for my grandson Ethan who is three today. I went to the Toyshop, and was struggling to find something suitable. Should it have dinosaurs or superheroes? I was moving back and forth down different isles making comparisons, in the end I chose a Play-People school bus, that had various sounds and actions to keep a three year old happy for five seconds before he opens something else.

I drove down to Bournemouth to deliver it, Ethan was at the door, ready to grab the gift, not concerned about the envelope containing the card, he was just interested in the toy.

27th November 2018

Nicola was at the door bright and early. Today was painting day, and she had rollers, and she wasn’t afraid to use them.

In a couple of hours she had the first coat done, so we moved onto the next challenge, the mural. This was another indulgence, an experiment in texture and colour, but also, a bit of fun.

The roll was divided into six panels that had to be applied left to right on the wall.

I had marked out the wall with the starting line, so the application was really straight forward.

This coincided with the man from British Gas who came to install the smart meters. This was power off, plunged into darkness, and the oven had to be re-set, a real pain. To set it can bring on RSI because the adjustment knob is small, and you have to roll it minute by minute. The only benefit was it was just about midday so I only had half RSI.

26th November 2018

The time of my return to the US is getting shorter, but my work list is still long.

I had to move many large blocks of stone from the patio so that British Gas could have access to the meter box tomorrow. So that I didn’t strain anything valuable, I rolled each one to the bottom of the garden to avoid potential injury.

I arranged to have my hair cut, I think it has been about eight weeks since I had it done in America, just prior to the wedding. I have got out of any sort of routine since I retired, all the days merge into one, and I just lose track of things, especially hair cuts. I’m only reminded when a lump of hair falls over my eyes and obstructs my view.

25th November 2018

I started my homework straight after breakfast.

I was able to use Nicola’s dining room, as it is waiting for a new floor to be laid, sounds familiar? But no I’m not doing that job, they have hired professionals. I was, however using the space to paint the pieces of skirting board that I brought with me. Oh yes, I can’t get away from it even for a day.

I also gathered up all my things I have been storing there, so finally Nicola and Colin can have their room back. Although I don’t have enough storage at the cottage ,I can at least store things in a warm room.

24th November 2018

There was a round-up of jobs I wanted to do before I drove down to Barrington. I wanted to finish the floor in the bedroom, and oil the landing. I had left this until the last moment so I didn’t need to get anything fro the bedrooms.

I also painted the doors for the boiler cupboard. These are tricky because they are made like a Japanese rice paper screen, so a lot of area to paint.

I stuck the last of the skirting board in the utility area, and had a general clear up.

I set off for Trowbridge with the aim of buying a washer dryer. I went to Currys PC world, the windows covered in Black Friday stickers all over the window. I was positive that I would find something there.

I walked up the stairs and found the washing machine display. There were names I’d never heard of, so a little disappointed. I looked at the AEG models but was put off by the curved fronts. I passed a sales lady who was reading the condition of sales to a bemused customer, it sounded like she was reading a death sentence, I decided that this was not the place for me.

I walked over to Knees Home and Electrical hoping for more success. They had a better selection, but were understaffed. The only person available looked like the undead. He floated around trying not to make eye contact with anyone. He was dressed in black with his sleeve pulled up displaying a vivid green tattoo.

I walked up to him and inquired when it could be delivered, he muttered something about checking stock, and slid off towards a terminal.

I walked around expecting him to call me to give me the answer to my question. Eventually I approached him and he said “Friday morning between 8.30 and 12.00”. I told him okay and he set about preparing the sale.

After that fiasco, I went to Halfords to buy a replace brake light bulb. I got frustrated with the screen to check which type I needed, so I looked for a human. He found the correct one for me, so I paid and went out to change it over.

The back light cluster was only held on with two screws, so easy to remove. Then I removed the bulb holder and found the blown lamp. I open the package and tried to fit the new lamp. It did not fit because the lugs were at a different height so would not lock in. Back I went, found the human, he gave me the correct type that matched the old one, I exchanged them at the register and walked back to the car. This time it fitted perfectly, I was pleased. As I refitted the cluster I noticed the lamp I replaced was actually the reversing light, the brake light was one above, I took that out, and it was the same type as the one I had bought in the first place, what a bloody dick-head. I was now too embarrassed to go back inside to buy the ones I had before, so I decide I would find another Halfords another day, but at least I had a perfectly working set of reversing lights.

23rd November 2018

I had a call from Dibly and Roy to tell me the vertical blinds were ready for collection. I drove down to collect, and rushed back to fit them. Then I realised the brackets supplied were for an inset blind whereas I had specified the external fixing. A quick phone call, and half an hour later a man arrived with the correct parts.

The town is experiencing horrendous traffic problems because of a bridge inspection that has taken all week. The traffic control is a man with a board and a walkie-talkie this can be good or really bad. I was stuck in the queue for ages, and just about gave up hope of ever moving again, when the cars stated moving. Great shafts of light shone down and angels sang in unison,as I approached the man with the board and a walkie-talkie, I willed him to let me pass. Closer and closer I moved nearer. I shouted at the cars in front to get a move on.

I was watching his hands to see if they were ready to flip the board, but no! I was through.

“Thank you, thank you” I muttered as I cleared the bridge.