Wednesday

 Good morning, everyone.  As hoped, yesterday was such a gorgeously sunny day, warm and sunny apart from just one point where there were a few drops of rain floating around.  They came to nothing and if I hadn't been in the garden at that point, I'd never have noticed.
Today, the forecast is good and I'll take that with gratitude.  It's not just the tomatoes that need the sunshine - we do too!

Yesterday turned out to be a very busy and useful day.  I got everything done that I wanted to get done and a few other bits and bobs too.
It took longer than I thought to clear the pantry.  It doesn't look enormous but there was still plenty of stuff to go through and sort out.  Sadly, a fair amount went into the food recycling as it was just very out of date.  I used the dishwasher three times to clean emptied containers and the recycling box (collected today, thankfully) was almost full by the time I had finished.  Gail will give the shelves a good old scrub tomorrow and then it's a case of just working through the remains and keeping everything wiped over.

Then I tackled the wash room and it was sort of ditto although there's a certain amount of stuff that Gail uses.  She had very thoughtfully sorted out all the cleaning stuff she wants/needs so I knew what could go.

I got the old records out and onto the shelving in the car port and ditto with random piles of old magazines, some of which went in the paper box (also collected today) and some in Ann next door's box, bless her.  The rest can go in a fortnight.

Colin the boiler man came in the afternoon and now everything has been checked and it's all in good order.  While he was doing that, I wandered down the garden and picked some runner beans, the first of the year.  Some went to Ann, some are for me and some for Beth and Alex.

By just past five, I was home and unpacking.  I did bring loads back with me and need to find homes for some things.  I now have enough Lakeland poly bags, cling film, parchment and so on to last a decade at least.  That's all in the garage with the supplies I already have.  
I brought back the Ninja that Dad bought after Mum's first stroke when he thought he would have to be blending food for her.  As it happened, I don't think he ever used it.  I used it when visiting, for making soups and so on; it's not something I would get for myself but it's a nice bit of kitchen kit.
I brought back the rest of the china for Beth and am taking it over to her at some point today.
And I brought back sundry pantry thing - stock pots, for example.

Oh, I was so tired!  But I got a lot done and I'm very pleased I went.

Today is another busy day.  I need to do an early shop at Morrisons for things like milk.  I also want to go to the allotment this morning, to check the runner beans and courgettes, pick some baby corn for Beth (there will be some) pick sweet peas and water.  
Then it's personal training, online this week as Lindsey has a hospital appointment tomorrow and has been told to isolate.  Very awkward when you are in her line of work so thank goodness for the Internet.

In the afternoon, I'm off to Beth's to take the china, the runner beans and baby corn and I am writing it here so that I don't forget!

I had a very happy memory yesterday while picking the beans.
Because I was a teacher and my children were at school, inevitably we visited Mum and Dad more in the summer.  It was a standing joke that we only went for the runner beans, nothing to do with wanting to visit Mum and Dad.  We're/you're only here for the beans, we would say.  It makes me smile to think about it.

Well, time to make another coffee and get the day started, I think.  Have a good one, everyone, and stay safe.  xx