bitsofwood

Janet's birthday

2012-02-10T03:11:00.001-08:00

Wednesday was Janet's birthday. She was really keen on visiting her old friend Wendy and her daughter Samantha back in Coventry. We got up really early and drove down the M6 to see them. Janet had a great time and was really happy. We finally got back just after dark.

ups and downs

2012-02-02T05:32:00.001-08:00

We got fed up waiting for permission to go and get our gas fire back. I took Janet up to the Factory shop in Lockerbie and we bought a new gas fire. We then had to get a gas bottle. Janet wanted to feed the ducks, so we diverted to Langholm.

We settled for Mac gas from a supplier in Longtown, where we got some more wood and kindling. Let's see how long it lasts.

The Doctor has confirmed that I definately have Anaemia. I have a low haemoglobin count. I already knew all of that, because that is why I had the colonoscopy in Carlisle.
They want another blood check tomorrow, no wonder my blood is so low, they keep taking it out.

getting even better

2012-01-12T04:59:00.000-08:00

My health is improving all the time. I saw the nurse yesterday and she is very pleased with the way things are going. I have lost nearly 5 pounds in weight in the five weeeks since my heart attack. My cholestorel level is down to 3 and the long term blood sugar is dropping nicely.

We have been buying stuff for the bungalow. The bedroom is getting better, and we bought a fitted carpet for the lounge. Next step will be some more shelving and putting clutter away.

good company

2012-01-10T16:08:00.000-08:00

The duke of Edinburgh has had the same problem as me.
He has had a stent fitted, whereas I had two.
Best of luck to him.

getting better

2011-12-21T07:05:00.000-08:00

I am feeling stronger every day now.

It is still awkward having to get the bus everywhere, because the timetable must have been decided by a committee, and the last bus from Gretna leaves at 18:10. We went up to Lockerbie Tesco and did a big shop, but it was a heavy load to get back onto the bus. Only a few more days to go and we can get Humpty Minty back on the road.

We ordered a £50 load of wood for the fire, but when it arrived it didn’t look very big. We shall have to see how long it lasts.

Today is the anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing. When we first arrived here I took Janet round to the memorial garden to see the displays and the mementoes etc. It was very sad.

hospital

2011-12-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

I have been a bit quiet on the blog for a while.

I was taken to hospital on the 1^st of December. I am all right now, thank goodness. The only problem, apart from having to take it easy for a bit, is that I cannot drive the car until the 28^th of December. This means that we won’t be able to go to Colchester until just after Christmas. We spend most of our time in the bungalow at the moment, only going to Tesco in Annan every few days for shopping.

ribs

2011-11-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

I have definitely done something to my ribs.

Nearly every movement I make is painful. Usually with something like this, the longer I leave it the better it gets, but I must be getting old or something.

As is usually the case, Janet is coaxing me to go to the quack’s, but the longer I leave it, the better things will get.

We have found out that every time you top up with Vodafone, they give you a free token for renting a game for two nights. Janet is currently playing Uncharted, and she won’t move from her chair at the moment.

eye aye

2011-11-26T02:34:00.000-08:00

After having pictures taken of my eyes at the doctors, a letter arrived to say there had been ‘significant’ changes, but no action was needed at the moment.

Then on Wednesday I went to my appointment at Cumberland infirmary where I had laser treatment on my right eye. I would not wish this on anyone. The specialist fired lots of shots continuously, which I found to be very uncomfortable indeed. I accept that it was all necessary, but I definitely did not like it. Friday saw me at the opticians for my yearly eye test, which found no deterioration at all, so I am still 1.50 long sight and 3.75 for reading. I do not have to go back to the Cumberland until 2.20 on the 5^th of April next year.

birds again

2011-11-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

We seem to be going into Annan every day now. Changed the film. Got the lottery and did a bit of shopping, then we went to watch the starling display, which is about a mile south of the house.
The final roosting place is in the pine trees just SW of Gretna services. We may take some film of it and post it on You Tube.

It starts about 4:15 and lasts about half an hour.

starlings

2011-11-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

They published the article about the bench, but they didn't use any of my photos.
Got another film out to rent from Blockbusters.

Took Janet down at dusk to watch the starling display near Gretna. It lasted about 20 minutes.
Might go down tomorrow and take some film of them if the weather is right.
Definately one of the wonders of nature.

Happy birthday Daniel.

more winnings

2011-11-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

Janet has done it again. She had 3 numbers on the lottery last night. We gave back inception and got out a war film. Carried on to Dumfries town centre and Janet cashed her money and put it towards a new PS3 game. Call of Duty MW3. Meanwhile I took some pictures of Dumfries town centre.

This is the Robert Burns statue outside the new Greyfriars Church.

We took Bessie along the river for a while, then got some shopping and fuel in Morrisons.

sunny monday

2011-11-07T07:50:00.000-08:00

Back to Blockbusters today to get the new Jack Sparrow. Took the pictures of the burned out bench into the Annandale Observer. They may print one with a little piece in the next edition. Left my details and got his card. He says the pictures are quite clear. I only want a by-line.

Down to Powfoot beach and let Bessie out.
Got some pictures of the beach with Criffel in the background.

A really nice clear November afternoon.
Came back to let Janet play her new James Bond game on the PS3.

better day

2011-11-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

The 6th of November.
My father would have been 90 today.

Drove into Annan, where Janet collected her winnings at Somerfields.
We drove down to waterfoot, where Robert Burns was an exciseman. There is a bench to sit on and enjoy the view, but someone burned it with fireworks, probably last night.

Went back into Annan and finally joined Blockbusters. They are doing this new customer deal. For 5 pounds you can have a video a night for 30 days. Seems good to me. We got out the new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Tomorrow we are going to have the new Jack Sparrow.

We had Sunday lunch in the Bruce and then drove back home.

premonitions

2011-11-06T04:54:00.000-08:00

Janet has had a feeling that something was wrong. When we heard about the horrific crash on the M5 near to where we used to have the caravan, it was difficult for us as well. Besides feeling sorrow for the families involved, we still worried that there would be a knock at the door, because of course we don't know where our family is. This can lead the mind to think the worst.

This morning Janet checked her lottery and she has got three numbers and the thunderball, so we are going out to collect the money.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/8872176/The-real-scandal-of-our-care-system-is-still-overlooked.html

busy few days

2011-11-04T10:19:00.000-07:00

We took a little trip down to our usual spot on the beach at Powfoot near Annan. I had the camera and took a few pictures in the sunshine.

We had a bit of a scare when Janet twisted her hip and we heard a crack. A visit to the hospital at Dumfries and the x-ray was clear. She has to rest for a while, though.

There was an accident on the motorway this morning and all of the southbound traffic was diverted past our house.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1021773905000.2004567.1244762682&type=1&l=fbe0b0176e

Welcome to our new blog

2011-10-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

Hello. My name is Tony, and my wife's name is Janet.
This blog will update everyone on where we are now and what is happening.

We now live in a little bungalow in a small village just north of Gretna Green in Scotland.
We have a sky blue Citroen Berlingo car, which is called Humpty Minty Five.
We also have a border collie dog, and her name is Bessie.

I am studying Law with the open university.