What have you done today

[2112]

Admittedly yesterday, but the internet was down for a period last night (pre-planned, we did get notice). We were invited to a 50th birthday party in Jesmond, Newcastle at the Dabbawal Indian restaurant. They do a lot of fusion & street food so we were quite looking forward to it. As it was Sunday they do a special roast dinner, basically a curried bit of meat with Yorkshire pudding, roast & mashed potatoes and veg with a curry sauce. It sounds wrong but trust me it was sooo right. Who knew a Yorkie' pud could tast so good with a curry sauce ?

[The Doctor 46]

I can better that 2112. I was invited to my Daughter In Law's for dinner, she is a great cook and made a pork roast and a large chicken because her Mum doesn't like pork. Unknown to me her Mum and Dad were invited too and that made my day. Her Dad is ex navy and me ex army so we had lot's to talk about. He's from Newcastle and has a great sense of humour which out witted mine so he relished in making light hearted jokes about the army which I couldn't match (I'm a Scouser but left Liverpool age 17).

Early evening I left to drive the 35 mile home in the dark with a plated roast dinner under foil in my passenger well. I don't usually like the drive home but after attending a recent speed awareness course I used cruse control and the speed limiter then drove relaxed, not trying to knock 10 minutes off the journey, it was a pleasant drive.

So, roast chicken and pork again for me tonight..... Better than any  restaurant or curry. Sorry to black cat you 2112 

[Upt North]

If anyone's passing, I've just done some venison in a port and red wine reduction, complete with apricots and onions. It will be served with crushed butter potatoes.
It's 7.15 for 7.30 bring a nice bottle of Rioja.
Upt.

[Upt North]

2112, I don't know if you finished all that but I know I wouldn't.
Upt.

[2112]

Upt, I bravelly pushed through the pain barrier and cleared the lot ! No room for a dessert mind but they looked amazing too. Doc, there is nothing like a roast dinner, particularly when they are cooked my favourite way - by someone else ! Leftover chilli con carnage & rice for tea tonight 

[Barbel Mick]

Sorry 2112 I'm not sure about that & I'll eat just about anything.
The curry sauce on the Yorkshire I'd definitely give a go, but I'm afraid the curry sauce on the vegetables on a roast dinner, not so sure. I do like a vegetable curry though. 
Like I said, not so sure, but I would give it a go. 

I am a big fan of chip shop curry sauce on a battered fish though. 

[2112]

Today, three of us wrestled the waterproof cover back on to my poorly mate's VW camper van after it blew off over the weekend. It got soaking wet in their yard, so we've had it spread out in the garage over a pair of step ladders to fully dry out. It's all lashed down with all the straps tightened and secured now.

Alec is waiting for the Doc' to come out as he's a bit 'backed up' at the moment. All the med's he's on have caused some significant constipation and the Doc' is going to give an enema injection today. Apparently that will move things, one way or another...

[The Doctor 46]

This morning I did my washing then took it to the launderette to dry it. I went on my motorbike and intended to then go home, wash the bike, apply more ACF 50 then go shopping in my car.

What really happened. I dried my washing stuffed it into my top box then went for a nice ride. I practised riding like I would on an advanced riding test and really enjoyed it. It was much more difficult than when I actually took the test in the summer many years ago.

The road today was wet though it wasn't raining and there was lots of mud from tractors and salt making it slippery so it was easy to ride below the speed limit, watching out for potholes made it hard to stay on the safe line through corners as taught but the lines I was taking were the safest for the conditions.

I then took a ride into Exeter for a cup of tea in Bridge Motorcycles café. After drinking my tea and talking to a chap (74 but looked 65 max) about Russia, he had been to Moscow and was keen to talk about how much he enjoyed it, I went into the shop where the loo is.

After relieving myself and on my way out I saw an open face Bell crash helmet on a shelf. I have been after an open face helmet for ages but always dithered when it came to buying one until today. I was given a balaclava to try it on and it fitted perfectly so I bought it.

I have a Shoei Neotec 1 which is great, the best helmet I have owned but I ride with it flipped up almost always and realised I don't need to the carry the chin part, catching the wind a little and extra weight that I don't use until the below zero days in winter. So, I'll try the Bell open face which is being posted to me free of charge because my top box was full. I'll up date you on how I get on with it in a few weeks for those interested (maybe nobody)

Great day out and probably a boring read for you all, sorry. 

£200 spent and I only went for a cup of tea. It was reduced as it was the last one in the shop. 

[Upt North]

2112, he may need that cover in the crapper...
 
Upt.

[2112]

Apparently he's still not 'produced', might need to have a Cesarian ? I'll pop over later after yet another medical appointment (tennis elbow this time...) and find out what's going on.

[The Doctor 46]

Reference my last when I mentioned buying a "Bell" helmet in my local bike shop, reduced from £250 to £200. I've just seen the same helmet for £176 including postage in an online store. That's life. 

Guess that makes me a Bell End

[Joe Rocket]

The balls in your court then 2112.......... 

[2112]

It turns out I haven't actually got Tennis elbow but instead I've managed to tear my Tricep near the elbow. Not a clue how I've managed it, but the Physio seemed to think it was an easy fix (unlike my Tendonitis...). Some remarkably simple excercises to do and I should be well on the mend in a few weeks, fingers crossed.

On a sad note, my mate Alec is getting close to the end. He's stopped eating and is barely drinking anything either. His Kidney & Liver functions are starting to fail as a result of the lack of fluids and the poor bugger has a bed sore on his lower back too. The Doc' that was there today reckons he won't see the weekend out...

[Upt North]

Poor bugger. Prayers going out to him and his.

[Asmith61]

Yes indeed…… prayers going out to Alec and his wife 😞

[UK_Vstrom650]

Sorry to hear that 2112. I hope he can be as comfortable as possible. Thoughts to you all at this difficult time.

[MisterDavey]

This is so sad to hear 2112.
Thoughts and prayers for Alec, and thinking of you too, you've been such a good friend to him.

[2112]

Cheers folks, really appreciated.

[Barbel Mick]

Sorry to hear about your mate Alec 2112, it's very sad.
Hopefully he's in no, or very little, pain & the end is as peaceful as possible.
Thoughts & prayers with you, his wife & all his family & friends.

[2112]

Today, I was at the funeral of a former work colleague, Michael Bewick. It was great to catch up with some old faces (and some even older faces...) but always a shame for it to be at the passing of a fellow Linesman. It was a very dignified ceromony at the fabulous Northumberland Woodland Burials (https://northumberlandwoodlandburial.co.uk/).

Afterwards, I called in on my mate Alec who's not been having the best of times. They had the Doc out early morning as he was hyperventilating and they gave him a Morphine injection which calmed him down. He has Oramorph to take 'as required' but they've suggested he gets a 20mm dose ever 2 hours to keep him calm. Oddly, he's started searching for some object with his hands but we can't work out what ? He was having a milk shake while I was there and after about an hour he'd only managed a fraction of it. I've taken some of their washing home as Andrea was absolutely knackered and just didn't have the energy. We'll see what tomorrow brings...