The snowdrops have been and gone, the daffodils are looking good and we have even had some dry days. Not many I admit but every dry day is a bonus at the moment and if the sun shines even better

The Oswestry show ground is not far from us so we are always looking to see what is on down there. First off in the season was an antique and collector fair. So off we went to have a look around. Not that we wanted anything but love looking around things like that.

A lot of things were really expensive and we saw things that we have already but would never think of selling them for that price. The most bizarre thing we saw was a false leg. Can’t remember if it was a left one or a right one but I expect the buyer would know. The price for this leg was £120. So who goes to a boot sale or antique and collector fair to buy a false leg and how do they get there with one leg.

On our way back to the car I spotted a couple of wicker cases, one at £5 and one at £7.50. I got them both for £10, look nice under the sofa to store things in. Also saw a loverly classic car in the car park which was not for sale.

Henlle hall is not far from us so we walked off down the canal to have a coffee and hot chocolate. It’s only a half hour walk but Nikki’s sister was coming to stay so we were checking it out to see if it was as good as we remember. They have a lot of luxury lodges in the grounds and a field with fallow deer in. I would have liked to work down there but there are no jobs at the moment. The bar restaurant is nice and we plan to walk down there one sunny day for a meal and drinks and wobble back along the canal without falling in.

We went down there again for lunch with Jo, Nikkis sister and the food was very nice and my Guinness was good. They have an outside decking area with a big fire pit which would be nice when lit.

The walk back was nice along the canal and it’s always nice to see some boats. The lion quays resort has moorings outside for guests that come by boat which is nice. Must be really strange going from a canal boat which are narrow and long into a huge big hotel.

All the trees and bushes are leaving up now and we have a loverly tree covered in blossom outside our house although at the moment the wind is trying its hardest to blow all the blossom away.

We also have a pheasant that visits the garden and likes the patio. We have named him Freddie. I have this vision of him coming around when we are sat out there having a beer looking for bits of food.

Good news on the job front for me. I have a job working at the local recycling centre just three days a week which is just what I wanted. There will be other days available to cover for sickness and holidays. The lads are great I work with and it’s chilled out and only 15 minutes drive away. Nikki is till applying for jobs every week so hopefully something will come up for her soon.

Because we only have one car I bought a little runaround car for work. Just a small Peugeot 208 which is cheap to run and tax and insure. It will only be used for work and back. Because the price of fuel is going up everyday this car will do me well doing 60+ to the gallon. It was on empty when I picked it up so I went straight to the garage and filled it up. It cost £67 to fill so will be interesting to see how long that lasts. When I sell Bertie I will get my VW T6 and sell the Peugeot on. We need two vehicles though.

As I speak the sun is out but it’s windy and it’s a cold wind The last weekend of the six nations rugby is on tomorrow which means whatever the weather I will be sat in front the tele and shouting at the players while drinking some Guinness. I also have a few jobs to do on my days off when the weather turns nicer. Jobs include cleaning patio, spraying garden furniture, laying artificial grass, painting a couple of old chairs, valeting Nikki’s car I just need some nice weather. There is no peace for the workers. Take care out there.