Energy review

Three trips to Fraserburgh last week, followed by golf at Aboyne on Friday afternoon and my back was knackered. I was like a half shut knife - it took me ages to straighten up after sitting down. I have a lower back support on the back of my seat when I'm driving but I suspect the car journeys are taking their toll - especially as my job is essentially sedentary as well.

I felt like I had flu coming on yesterday morning, but I managed to play golf at Edzell with Ian Sharp, John McWhinnie and Ken Bruce - the latter being Ian's brother-in-law who we went on group golfing holidays with back in the 90's.

I'm feeling a little better today but still a little stiff in the back - I hope the next 2 days of driving to and from the Broch don't make this any worse.

Last night, I headed down to the Stag to watch the Partick Thistle v Hibs match - it was on BT Sport, which we don't have. Ross joined us there, but we were both a little disappointed by the result - an undeserved 0-1 defeat for the Jags.

I received an e-mail from our energy supplier and they provided some interesting graphs of our gas and electricity consumption this year:

Note how we were running at three or four times the level of similar sized homes until the last couple of months. What changed then? Well, we were away for most of July and it was a warm summer too, but there may be one other factor - we no longer have a "lodger"! Hope Ross' bills for his flat aren't anything like we had!

In cost terms, the figures are:

Frightening figures aren't they? I think we'll need more draught-proofing and insulation this winter. What are the biggest culprits? Heating, of course:

Still warm here today but they say the change is coming tonight - temperatures are expected to plummet, so we could be getting our first taste of winter soon.

It's Tuesday evening and I'm home alone - Jo's at Inverurie. She left me a lovely ashet pie of chicken, mushroom and peas - just the ticket for a dark autumn evening.

I discovered today that Graham Parker, who we saw playing solo in Belfast recently, is coming back to London next year to play another gig with his band, the Rumour. I'm missing out on the full group experience this year as their gigs are while I'm in Tenerife, so I think I have to plan a trip to London on June 6th next year.

We've got another Headbang this Friday - I'll try to make sure it doesn't go on too long as Jo and I both have appointments for our flu jabs first thing on Saturday morning.

Must go now - think I'll try and phone Marriott and see what we can do for our overseas holidays next year.