First Feb posting

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Hello again - it's now February and it's very noticeable how much longer the days are getting. What a difference it makes to get at least part of the drive to/from work in daylight. Just 50 days until the clocks go forward - and only 14 days until our holiday Down Under.

What have I been up to this last 10 days or so? Not much, to be honest. Usual round of twice weekly squash doubles and a game of golf on Sunday morning. I did get my blood test results through and I've got the all-clear - no need to go on antibiotics for Helicobacter Pylori. I also had a check-up with my implant dentist and he confirmed that my implant has settled down well and there's no abscess or infection that could be causing the bad taste I've had in my mouth since October. So I guess I have to wait for my appointment with the specialist - and then it's another endoscopy.

Frustrations with suppliers are a bit of a theme just now. I got a replacement Archos (my mini DVR which I use to record from the Sky box) under extended warranty and it seemed to play OK - until I put it in its docking station. It would only record intermittently and I had to do it manually as the remote device wouldn't work with the new unit. I contacted them, thinking they would talk me through what I had to do to make it fully operational, but no - they said send it back again! So, it's gone again - along with the docking station and remote. Hope I get them back before we go to Oz.

The loft insulation people are just as bad. Carillion's surveyor measured the loft and depth of insulation, priced it and we accepted the quote, but when the men came out to do the work, they said our existing insulation was too deep and they couldn't do it for that price. I've complained 3 times so far, but still haven't received a response.

Then there's the new WC, shower and basin we want to install downstairs. We can't really complain about the supplier as we've agreed Ross' pal, Dan can do the job as a homer. Only problem is that Dan has been moving house this week and he's getting married soon, so where's he going to find the time from? We haven't even ordered the goods yet - Jo wants Dan looking over her shoulder before she does this.

I haven't fitted our loft ladder - I was put off by the complex instructions. I could probably do it, but can't summon up the will. The ladders are fine as they are - free-standing and extendable - do we really need them to be fitted as retractable? How often do we need to get in the loft? Jo's been up in it this week and has unearthed some old football programmes (heading for Gary now) and some children's books, which she's cleaning up for Luca. Jo has threatened/promised to get Trevor Stephens in to do the fitting - fine, I said - go ahead.

Last moan today is about the old Merc sitting in the driveway for what must be its 4th calendar year now. Derek Glass (the owner - Ross transferred it back to him) has been promising to move it for what seems like an eternity. I forget how many times he has told Jo & Ross it will be moved "tomorrow or the next day", but still it sits there, rusting away.

Tonight we have another headbang at Dave's - it's 3 months since the last one. Perhaps that'll help me calm down!