A Fancy rat show...

Some time ago, Sophie came home and told us about a colleague at work who kept and showed rats. She said there was a show taking place in Nottinghamshire in October and she was going to take Vikesh as a bit of a joke. Throughout their relationship, she has always called him a rat, and he was so fed up with it that he threatened to reduce the money he intended to spend on her for her birthday and Christmas presents. Every time she called him a rat, he deducted £1 from his spend!

I asked to go with them as I couldn't wait to see his face, so today was the day! She had kept Vikesh in the dark about the day out, sending him into a frenzy as he imagined all sorts taking place!

We picked him up at about 10am and set off up the A14 and the M1 towards Nottinghamshire. Halfway along the M1, we all came to a halt for no obvious reason, but as we started up again, we could see the left lane was completely given over to motorbikes... there were hundreds of them! There were so many of them I had trouble getting into the filter lane to turn off the M1!

Once off the motorway we bypassed Loughborough and headed towards the village of Normanton-on-Soar. Vikesh was becoming more and more apprehensive! The countryside was beautiful and very soon we came to the village. As we passed the sign we saw the village hall and outside was the sign - Rat Show here today!

It all became clear and, to his credit, Vikesh took it very well indeed! He posed for a photo with the sign and I think he was relieved it wasn't anything like sky-diving or deep-sea diving!

We went into the village hall and met Sophie's friend from work who had brought several of her rats to the show, and also a couple that we could hold!

It was great to wander about, looking at the rats and talking to them. They were very inquisitive and kept poking their noses through the bars of their cages. Apparently, they make great pets, and are very clean, but only live to about 2 years!

We asked Sophie's friend lots and lots of questions and I found it all fascinating. However, I'm definitely not going to get any! You have to have them in twos or threes as they're such sociable animals.

We stayed for about an hour and then had a lovely wander to The Plough, about a five-minute walk away. We saw a magnificent Horse Chestnut tree on the village green and we couldn't resist looking for conkers!

The Plough was quiet when we arrived but it soon filled up with lunchtime diners. We chose some bread and olives to start, along with samosas, followed by fish and chips for me (in honour of Keith), chicken for Sophie and hake fillet for Vikesh.

The Plough is a lovely pub set on the banks of the River Soar and we could see a narrow boat moored up on the river. It was a gorgeous, warm day and although the morning had been a bit overcast, the sun made an appearance in the afternoon. It was a bonus day and lots of people were making the most of the good weather by sitting in the pub garden and soaking up the sunshine and warmth. Let's make the most of it while we can!

The food was very good and it was lovely to linger over our lunch and chat about the rats! None of us had room for dessert, so after a quick wander down to the water's edge, we walked back to the village hall to collect the car.

On the way home Sophie fancied an ice cream so we came off the M1 at junction 20 and headed through the villages of Walcote and South Kilworth looking for, ideally, a farm shop! However, there was nothing and one place, that looked promising, wasn't open until the 14th. It was a pumpkin pick-your-own with a shop and café but we were too early!

We eventually ended up at Beckworth and I bought ice cream tubs for us. We went and sat in the sunshine outside and I looked at several beautiful olive trees, with hefty price tags! Amazingly, Vikesh's brother and sister-in-law were at Beckworth, with his sister-in-law's sister and husband (phew!) so we all met to say hello and I was introduced to the family. There was lots of hugging!

We took Vikesh home and we were invited to meet his parents, who were absolutely lovely. They were stunned about the rat show and we had a great laugh about Vikesh's reaction!

Sophie and I returned home and relaxed after our very busy day! We decided not to play Scrabble as it hurt my shoulder (for some reason) to sit at the kitchen island. Dinner this evening was cheese and biscuits accompanied by Celebrity Race Across the World. A perfect end to a lovely day!

So glad it's Friday!

I was so relieved that today was Friday and the weekend was beckoning! I had lots to do at work today, so the time flew by, thank goodness! I'm hoping that a weekend away from a computer and mouse will help my arm and shoulder!

When I arrived home, I sat and watched an episode of The Vintage French Farmhouse which was filmed in Provence. It was lovely to see the gorgeous countryside that we'd travelled through only a few weeks ago.

Keith went to the pub in the evening, and Sophie and I opened a beautiful bottle of red wine (Pepper Box) and watched Grand Designs. It was a lovely thought that we had some great things planned this weekend to look forward to!

This weekend we're all set for higher temperatures and sunshine so the summer we didn't get in July and August has arrived now! It's mad! Having said that, a few years ago, I can remember one Halloween being about 23c!

Totting up the cost!

I drove myself this morning as I was taking Mum to have her nails done straight after work and I have to admit to feeling a slight twinge as I drove. Perhaps all the driving I did has taken its toll a bit, or maybe because I was tense, I hurt the muscles in my back?

Work was fine, and at 2pm I dashed off to Kettering to collect Mum, who was waiting for me in reception. Hooray! We sped back to Northampton and I sat with Mum while she was attended to. I nearly fell asleep!

When we were finished we drove into Moulton and I picked some things up in the Co-op that she needed, as well as going to the chemist and buying some freeze spray for my shoulder. I have spent a small fortune on painkillers! I estimate I've spent around £80 on various painkillers and things to help! Added to that are the lost hours (my Thursday hours are overtime). This is something I could definitely have done without!

I called at home after the Co-op and Keith came with me to take my Mum back. We sped home again and started on the dinner, but when Sophie arrived home she said she would prepare and cook the chicken pasta bake, and I was only too happy to agree! It was delicious!

Seeking expert help!

Today has felt like a "non-day" as I had a physiotherapist appointment at about 1.30pm, so right in the middle of the day. I tentatively suggested going out into the garden to cut the front verge, and I was shouted down by Keith and Sophie, who said I would be mad to do that! Hmmm!

So I've pootled about and not achieved very much at all! At 1pm, I took myself off to the surgery and within minutes of arriving went through to see the very young physio. He did a lot of manipulation and asked lots of questions, but he didn't seem to think my condition was serious. It was serious to me! I asked about stronger pain relief and he said he'd talk to the doctor and text me.

He gave me some exercises to do and that was it! On the way home I met Sophie who was also heading to the surgery for an appointment with the physio for her knee which has been hurting her for quite some time and has stopped her from doing various classes at the gym.

I did at least tidy one of the cupboards at home and Keith and I did the list for shopping, so that was something, but woefully short of all the jobs that are waiting to be done, with gardening very high on the list of priorities!

Sophie cooked again tonight and made a delicious paella with enough left over for lunch tomorrow!

Changing my mind

I initially texted Sara at 7am this morning to say I wouldn't be at work today as the pain in my shoulder and arm was bad before I'd even got into work, but by 9am I felt a lot better. Keith had been shopping and when he got back I said I was going in for 10am. I drove, but he came with me as I doubted I'd get a space at that time of the morning.

I had so much to do at work, and the thought of sitting at home all day again and watching television was horrible. My arm did hurt in the afternoon, but I managed to get a lot done, thank goodness.

I had ordered a massager from Amazon and it arrived just after I got in from work. I'm hoping it will ease out the knots in my back and neck! Keith can also use it on his feet so I'm sure it will come in useful!

Sophie went out for a meal with Daisy and Laura this evening and Keith and I had our guilty pleasure dinner - sausage, egg and chips. It doesn't hurt every once in a while, and all the ingredients were lovely quality!

With Sophie out, we watched an episode about the hunt for the Nazis after the second world war and Annika, set in Scotland, so pretty serious stuff this evening. I fell asleep waiting for Sophie to come home, and as she'd only gone to The Telegraph pub in Moulton, she wasn't late. Hooray!

Pain, pain, go away!

This horrible pain has not gone away with a day's rest yesterday, and my arm hurt all day at work. I was pretty fed up at the end of my shift, especially because the painkillers hadn't worked.

The weather was cloudy and dull when Keith picked me up and it started to rain heavily in the evening. Sophie and I sat and watched James Martin's Spanish Adventure which was perfection because:

1)    We had a fantastic storm raging outside

2)    I was enjoying a whisky and ginger ale

3)    The programme was about food

4)     The programme was about travel

5)    Someone else was cooking dinner

At times, we paused the programme so we could watch the lightning outside and listen to the thunder boom all around us. Every now and again the rain became torrential, and we opened the windows so we could listen to it.

Keith cooked chicken pie for dinner tonight using a sauce from a jar, but I wished he'd made his own gravy like he normally does. There wasn't a great deal of taste! 

A Greek treat!

I had a disturbed night's sleep again and vowed to go and buy some co-codamol today to deal with the pain. I was sitting downstairs at midnight with a bag of frozen peas on my shoulder. Not really what I want to do on a Saturday night!

The pain did ease a little this morning so I foolishly changed the bedding on our bed and did some housework, meaning that once I'd finished it was aching again. It's like toothache in my arm! Sophie spent the morning tidying up and hoovering as Vikesh was coming over in the afternoon to make a red velvet cake with her and also to bring us some Greek food for lunch. He had bought gyros, a wrap stuffed with salad, chicken, tzatziki and chips!

We sat in the kitchen and ate the delicious food and became covered in sauce! There was no elegant way of eating the wraps! Once we'd finished, Keith and I went over to Tesco at Kettering and I made straight for the pharmacy and bought a box of co-codamol. I am really hoping they will help at night because however I lie in bed, it's not comfortable.

Back home, Sophie was up to her elbows in flour so we left them both to it and relaxed on the sofa. Keith was engrossed in the golf, and I have to admit to watching it as well. Of course, I was rooting for Europe to win!

Later in the afternoon I gave in to the nap and went upstairs to lie down for half an hour. All of these disturbed nights are catching up with me. We should all be raring to go after our two-week holiday but we all feel shattered! 

On Wednesday I had expressed interest in a cat that was looking for a home with the Cats' Protection League, but we found out today that she had already been reserved. She was a pretty little thing but maybe we're better off getting a male cat? I have had more affectionate male cats than females. Anyway, we're not giving up and I think we're ready for another little furry companion!

Keith was supposed to cook chicken pie this evening, but what with the Greek wrap and a slice of red velvet cake, we couldn't face a big meal, so we've postponed it until tomorrow. 

We therefore had a very relaxed evening and the new tablets seem to be working. I just want a good night's sleep!