10 th.November.

10 November
Today is dark, grey and depressing; almost to the point of matching my mood. Had a good sleep despite going to bed early.
Place is cold today so am trying out the fire instead of putting radiator on, must keep warm, don’t want to come down with flu.
Had an hour in club yesterday and like the barman said,
“Nothing changes”.
Same old faces all with same ambition, to finish various crosswords,
I was bored but I greeted them and bade them farewell when I left, apart from that there was very little conversation.
When I was in the town I glanced at the shops full of Xmas tat, people struggling with bags full, looking decidedly unhappy.
Xmas has become a chore for so many.
I fully intend to have a Xmas like last year when it was generally forgotten.
I spent £42 on groceries, drink and a deep fat fryer for one,
I bought some fruit for a treat and some healthy sandwich fillers.
On a positive note I think I’ve finally cracked the positioning of the rear view mirror.
For the last month it has been dropping off or been stuck in a position which offered little view of the rear.
I tried several positions and hopefully this time it will stay in place.
I got the radio tape working after learning how to put the code in.
I must remember to replace the car book in the parcel compartment.
Was a little hairy trying to drive without the mirror, especially when changing lanes etc.
It’s surprising how much we rely on the rear view,
Its o.k. using the side mirrors but one needs to know what’s happening behind at all times.
My fruit bowl is now full to overflowing with apples, pears and tangerines, hope I get through them before they turn.
This winter is going to be the hardest so far;
Usually I’d have some thing to keep me occupied, used to be the house, garden or p.c. based project.
All I feel like doing these dark days is to pass a little time and return to bed.
Going to be a long five months.
I have to somehow turn the negative aspects into positive aspects involving some level of achievement.

I’m amazed at how much the electric is costing just for cooking and keeping p.c. and TV. going.
Today I’m going to tidy up and possibly prepare veg for freezer.
Have instructions for fryer to read to familiarise with controls.
The wind is continuing to grow in strength and the fire is just to say coping with keeping this room warm,
I’ll have to get the loft sorted and the trapdoor closed.
If I can keep the one room warm then I’ll be happy;
Fuel costs have certainly risen this year.
In the back of my mind I’m thinking about using some of the money saved to treat myself throughout the winter months, but on second thoughts the treats would probably involve alcohol and food which wont do me much good.
Spent a couple of hours doing a pan of turnip and three full pans of carrots; nearly half a carrier bag of carrots!
I wrapped them in individual packets and once again my veg tray in the freezer is full to the brim.
I boiled a few potatoes and tried out the new fryer.
It is very small but I managed to deep fry three chicken drumsticks, which,with the veg made quite an enjoyable meal
I later chipped a couple of potatoes and the results were fine.
At £10 the fryer seems to be value for money.
I drank the remainder of the cider while demolishing a 200g bag of peanuts; wasn’t late going to bed.