He'll starch my shirts and collars but he'll never touch my waistcoat

Visit to see Dave B. was a qualified success. Good folk he's working with, fun time had by all but suspect that his crew suspect what I suspect, I've been given a lemon to do. Still it'll be a learning experience.

Home and it's time to unplumb the washing machine and deposit on the doorstep in preparation for the delivery of the new machine the following day. All goes well until I remoe the cold water pipe and discover the cold water tap don't want to switch off. There's a 'little Dutch Boy, finger in the dyke moment', followed by a reattaching of the offending pipe with the other end shoved in a bucket to cope with the dribble of water that comes out. Not perfect but it does the job and this morning I empty a full bucket of water.

The new machine arrives around lunchtime and has been on since along with the dyer as we catch up with the washing of the week. News is sorted for the day. Footie is listened to as is the Captain Sensible 'Live at the Milky Way' and is mighty fine too. Now just waiting on Arsenal's visit to Anfield in the Cup.... Julie I'm not hopeful!

Bits and Pieces

Catch up with the news at last. Still haven't got the formatting right here. The podcast bit seems to be working OK. Problems getting it through NHS firewalls though.

The new tumble dryer arrived yesterday, it goes into action and promptly puts the nose of the washing machine out of joint. I think the pump has packed in, I now have clothes locked in the washing machine, no way of retrieving them at the moment and a machine that is increasingly full of water as we try to get a cycle to work to allow us to get the clothes out. The positive side is that the clothes when they are eventually retrieved they should be bloody clean! The machine itself was dragged down from Scotland three years ago having worked for Monst's mum for a while and has sounded increasingly alarmed recently. Monst has decided it is due its marching orders (it don't match the tumble dryer).

End up watching 'Mrs Henderson Presents'. Joe Willy used to visit the Windmill apparently if he was in London for a meeting, so there is a vague family reason.

Kitchen Bondage Part IV

Boxing Day

An early start to the day and an early return to my pit. This results in a late second rise. Cal meanwhile has got up and begun to set up his Playmobile Safari Park. Cool, he's done it by himself and not disturbed anyone.

Monst rises and consensus is that we need to get out of the house for a bit. Also there is the planned investment in a tumble dryer to be done. We combine the two with a trip to the No Mercy, which ain't fully open or as mad as I expect it to be. Do the full loop of it beginning with Curry's and that's where we end up buying the thing! Monst grabs some clothes for the boy along the way, I grab exciting stuff like razor blades, shampoo and light bulbs (Boy do I know how to live).

Return home and chomp the goose soup that has been manufactured from the goose stock, spare goose and a handful of pearl barley.

Evening and we roast the ham and I get to eat braised red cabbage with chestnuts - it is incredibly noticeable how my veg intake is increasing with Crimble as an excuse.