Ragged

We both felt so ragged by the end of today that we went out to the local pub for dinner because neither of us could be bothered to cook.

The day began with the supermarket delivery, followed closely by a telephone conversation with our poorly financial adviser and an agreement to touch base next week when he is feeling better.  We were expecting Joe Chimney Sweep, Spencer from DrainJet and possibly the tree surgeons in no particular order and not necessarily today.  So one of those days when you can't settle to anything in case there is a knock on the door.  Tony went out to help David with the rebuilding of the wall and I moved my bird feeders out of the elder tree which sadly will have to come down.  I managed to fit in a few more jobs when Spencer and Peter arrived to examine the blocked downpipe.  Now nothing is ever straightforward in our Victorian terrace but, thankfully, they were able to identify the problem pretty much straight away.  A stone had wedged around the bend between the pipe and the drain, and countless years of debris had backed up behind it.  It took hardly any time at all for them to flush out the gunk and they were done and on their way.

DrainJet were closely followed by Derren to clean out the chimney and the woodburner.  Meanwhile, I had received an e-mail from the tree surgeon company saying the lead time was eight weeks!  David is concerned that the elder tree may come down at any time (Tony and I think it is still well rooted in to our side of the wall).  During my chat with Derren I mentioned the issue and he was on the phone to his brother Dean who is a tree surgeon!  Outcome was Derren is booked in next week (£30 cheaper!) 

I am a big fan of Dr Michael Moseley's 'Just One Thing' series and so concerned to hear that he has gone missing whilst on holiday with his family on one of the Greek Islands.  I do hope there will be a good outcome.