Spring has Sprung

In the end Harriet opted not to go to Jersey on Friday. She had a rough night on Thursday and felt really rough on Friday morning. Luckily she got a self certification and was able to cancel her flights without incurring any cancellation charges which means she can use her flight another time. Of course, her cousin Jessica was disappointed but it made the best sense. Jess suffers with Cystic Fibrosis and already has a weakened immune system so with the two of the sharing a bed there was a good chance of catching Harriet's virus plus the two of them had a weekend of clubbing planned and Harriet wouldn't have been able to enjoy herself. Poor Harriet took to her bed all day on Friday and all night so I was very surprised to return from the gym on Saturday morning to find her pounding away on the exercise bike. Talk about miraculous recover! After a twenty minute stint I had to laugh when I found her slumped over over the bog in the downstairs cloakroom, her exertion had made her feel sick. I got her a glass of water and luckily she wasn't sick. I was glad she was feeling better but obviously she really wasn't well enough to exercise.

We had a good weekend. Phil was less grumpy had we had a really productive day on Saturday. It was a glorious day which and sunshine always makes me feel better. We were awake early and were at the health club by half past nine. I spotted a 70% discount sign for the DW shop so after our workout we went upstairs to see if we could get Phil some new trainers. He ended up with 2 pairs, one pair of Reebok trainers and some plimsolls. Afterwards we popped into Asda, Phil got petrol, we picked up some bits for the kitchen cupboards in the garage from B&Q and we also had time to get books from the library before going to lunch at the carvery at Shenley. Our roast dinner, was as always, very good but they have swapped the roast potatoes for small pellets which were as tough as nuts and positively revolting. They need to do something about this otherwise we will not be going back. We got back home, Phil fitted the kitchen cabinets back up in the garage and then we walked to the city centre to see a film. I messed up a little on the film choice; I decided that we would see 'Limitless' which I thought started a 2.40pm but when we got to Cineworld we couldn't it see on the screen listing. Turns out it doesn't come out until Wednesday. But never mind, no worries we decided to 'The Adjustment Bureau' with Matt Damon instead. It was a good film and it was nice loosing ourselves in front of a big screen for a couple of hours with scooby snacks and red wine. The sun was still shining when we came out and we had a brisk walk home, getting back at 6pm just in time to catch Georgina before she went to work. She had come round to pick up her coat and also to borrow our sat nav because with her first day of driving, she had got lost a couple of times. The remainder of Saturday night was spent drinking red wine whilst watching the latest series of Heston Blumenthal which Phil had recorded.

Phil was awake early again on Sunday morning but this didn't matter, he brought me a cup of tea and we had a leisurely couple of hours, me in bed reading the newspapers and Phil on his laptop doing some research for his book. After breakfast I went into the garage with the hoover; I gave it a good clean and sorted out the wall cabinets, a job I've been dying to do every since they fell off the wall. We went to the gym and had a reasonable workout. Poor Phil got blisters from the walk to the cinema the day before. These were caused by holes in his socks. He is really suffering at the moment and although I complain about him, I do feel sorry for him. As predicted, the doctor put him on tablets for his high blood pressure and warned him that they might make him feel dizzy. He was okay on Saturday but he had a funny turn in the jacuzzi yesterday and had to get out. Hopefully things will settle down because after only a couple days they have already brought down his blood pressure.

 

We walked down to the Ship Ashore for lunch yesterday as we enjoyed it last week. Phil had the pate as a starter which we shared. The pub was busy, probably we were a little later this week. Unfortunately, once again the service was slow and we had to wait ages for our main course to arrive. Phil had the beef brisket from the special menu which was tasty but wasn't served with any vegetables. Well, that's not strictly true, there was a slither of carrot on the parsnip but that was it. I gave him my carrots and some of my green beans. I had the roast beef from the set menu but I was disappointed, my meat was tough and the usual roast potatoes had gone and had been replaced with bullet like pellets very much like those at the Shenley carvery. We did indulge in a very nice bottle of Spanish Rjoca which came in handy with the long wait. It's a shame really, after last week, I had high expectations for this pub. But they need to sort out their service and look carefully at the menu. The morning was cloudy so it was nice surprise to see the sun out for our short walk home. Spring really has arrived and its about time too.

Phil got stuck into his research when we got back home and I made a bit pot of quorn chilli, some for the week and a huge batch to freeze. After cleaning up I gave the lawn a quick cut. Our garden needs lots of work, I don't have green fingers but I really do need to take time out this week to blow up some leaves and get rid of some weeds. My problem is that I'm never too sure what are weeds and what our plants. My strategy if it looks straggly then whip it out. I have noticed that the fences also need painting so I shall have to get some from B&Q and slop it on. I like to do this before the wasps come out.

Unfortunately our over indulgence, lunch out on both days, cinema treats and lots of red wine has meant that we have both put on 2 pounds. I am not bothered but I am worried for Phil. He has worked so hard to loose his weight and I don't want him to give up when he has tried so hard. The trouble is, that the side affects of his hormone pills is weight gain and we noticed that this is the same for his new blood pressure tablets. Its like fighting a loosing battle but he must try and conquer. With the weekend over, we are back on the wagon and I am sure by mid week the extra pounds will disappear.

I have to apologise for the lack of photographs today. Phil took quite a few which he took on his iPhone but he had a major trauma with this last night and has lost everything. I am not sure what he was doing but he ended up restoring his iphone to the factory setting loosing all of his photographs, his podcasts and his precious 'aps'. He was up early this morning trying to load them all on again but I have a feeling it is going to take me a long time. He is not a happy bunny. Oh dear. This doesn't bode well for a good week.......