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Good afternoon, Rusty!
I think you are very lucky in having local reliable firms to carry out this and that, from what you have said.
The problem here is that, if you don't go with a well-known firm - or builder, electrician, plumber, what-have-you - you tend to discover that you have "been had" by "cowboys".
You either have to use a known reputable company/ individual workman - or go by personal recommendation from someone whom you can trust.
"Word of mouth" is good!
(No one gives anything away - bits of carpet can be 'bought' though!)
Are Maggie and the painter still with you?
Still raining very heavily.... I am considering abandoning this afternoon's walk........I can think of other things to do with the time, than get seriously wet through.....
(Sh! don't tell the dog!)



Hello, Ros!
That's quite a coincidence, both cars going in for an inspection on the same day!
Let's hope we are lucky and all is okay (or at least, only minimal adjustment needed )
I hope you don't have far to go to take the car in?
Our Volvo garage wants to keep the car for the day, so
getting home and back will prove a problem, as there is no direct public transport .

Hello Everybody,

Elle, won't the Volvo garage provide you with some sort of a car while they are carrying out their check-up ?

Not wet yet here, still very cold (minus 3 last night with North-Westerly wind on top, thus felt more like minus 7 !)
Snow due during the nights towards end of week.

My English friends have all gone home and left me with an extra year to bear on my shoulders ! They arrived last Thursday, so it was a very long week-end celebration ! Very nice while it lasted but almost glad to get back to my normal peaceful routine - (When you live alone, you end up by being quite set in your ways).

Hi elle
about half a mile, possibly. Easy enough to walk.

Yes, you should be provided with a car as pigale says.

Hello, Elle!
We do have reliable local firms, but like everywhere else, we have cowboys too.
"Word of mouth" is by far the best way to get a good tradesman. My painter put me on to the carpet fitter.
He is coming tomorrow to measure etc.
Painter going well. One room completely papered and the ceiling in another, and first coats of paint on skirtings, doors, etc.
Only slight problem is his taste in radio stations!
He has the local one on. All poppy music and ads, and quizzes a five year old would answer. That apart, all going like a well-oiled clock!
Another fine day up here!

Good evening, Rusty!
I wish we could have some of your good weather!
We did get a small "window" this afternoon when it stopped raining, so I changed my mind and decided to take out the dog after all!
Otherwise I haven't really done much of note......
I had a phone call from my daughter inviting us to lunch on Sunday as it will be Mother's Day!
That will be nice!
(I hadn't even realised it was this coming Sunday! I must buy a plant to take to the crematorium.)
I am getting fed up with cricket references occurring so frequently in the Times crosswords!
I think they are competing with the "Londonisms" for prominence!
Very annoying, as I know nothing whatsoever about cricket!
Your painter is a very good and quick worker!

Hello, Elle!
My "good weather"!
We have snow forecast, and you would be most welcome to it!
Very thoughtful of your daughter to invite you for lunch.
I wonder is there a Granddad's day?
You and me both with the cricket knowledge, and rugby.
My painter works very quickly.
An excellent tradesman.
Wincanton tomorrow!
Pacha and Vic are favourites to win with Paddy P.
And the World Track Cycling Championships start tomorrow, Anna Meares and all!
It is at Lea Valley. Near you?
I am looking forward to it!

Good morning, Rusty!
My day began with brilliant sunshine and blue skies - then halfway through the walk it poured with rain!
Now very black outside.......looking most ominous...........
I think there IS now a Grandparents' Day in the UK? although I have no idea when that is?
But there are cards for Grandmas and Granddads available for Mother's and Father's Days.
I am sure I will get some from my grandkids on Sunday!
Now........Lea Valley?
There is a district called Lea Valley near Enfield ( in the mythical Middlesex! or North London if you prefer)
Here there is a Lee (spelled differently) Valley Athletics Centre.
But in the East End of London, there is the Lee Valley VeloPark.
This, I assume, must be where the World Track Cycling Championships are taking place?
I hope you get the chance / time to watch it.
(Neither place though is any where near where I live !)
I didn't realise that Victoria was racing at Wincanton today!
Are you having a bet on her?
Fingers crossed for her...........



Hello, Pigale!
It is good that you had a great time with your friends! I expect the house will seem quiet once they have gone home.
But as you say, it is nice to get back into one's routine!
It' now wet and cold here.... I hope you are faring better?

Hello Elle,

Radical change in the weather overnight - mild and 'brightish' now; Still due to snow later this week !

What time are you taking your car to the garage? Are you going to ask them to provide you with some means of transport for a day?
Hope nothing is wrong with the Volvo.

Hi Rusty,

Your painter sounds as efficient as my plumber - I agree that it is good to use local firms whenever possible; Quite lucky around here, my husband was an architect and thus worked with all the different local building trade (small) companies - so I am spoiled for choice !

Good morning, Elle!
No snow!
Beautiful morning here, but hard frost earlier.
The seagulls and me had lovely weather at the skips this morning!
Yes, the cycling is at Lea Valley Velo Track.
On BBC Red Button and Eurosport.
I am looking forward to it!
The British riders prefer the track at Manchester, though.
Easier to control the humidity etc there.
No bet on Queen Vic!
Hope she goes close.
I will not see it. It is on Racing UK channel and I won't pay for that.

Good Morning, Pigale!
Yes, I like supporting our local tradesmen.
My painter has just told me he will be be finished a good bit earlier than he thought and will knock a sizeable sum off my bill. There are still the good guys out there!

Wow rusty, that is good. I once paid what i thought was a staggering price for a new cam belt on the car. the chap told me it had taken two hours less than he'd allowed but I had to pay for them anyway. He didn't even wash the car in that time (I never do this, either by hand or machine!)