Here's some Patrick dug up earlier...

Potatoes just dug from a very small hole on the back garden.

Sunny Sussex again...

Hove beach. Another lovely day of cloud and relentless wind. The poor lifeguards looked quite miserable. 

Sunny Southwick

I realise that I haven't posted anything to this blog for a long time. It's mainly because the weather has been too horrendous to take any decent photos.

Anyway, the weather is still as grim as ever (cloudy, windy, grey/brown waves), but I do have a new iPhone (the last desired gadget on my wishlist), so I can now post pictures straight from there.

This is Patrick looking stoical in the cold and wind, after our visit to Carat's Cafe, near Southwick beach.

More About the Wii Fit

It's here! The Wii Fit board has just arrived from Leipzig. Will be trying it out a.s.a.p.

Wii Fit Board Update Update

No sign of the board yet, despite the predicted delivery time being today, 31 May. The DHL  website informs me that it is currently in Zieland, in the Netherlands.

To make up for this crushing disappointment, here are some nice flower pictures, taken today in the garden. 

Wii Fit Board Update

I've just checked Amazon Deutschland, who tell me that my Wii Fit has been dispatched and is currently in Leipzig. How exciting!

Contact Asda about Changing Places Toilets

Local action on Changing Places toilets

As Changing Places campaigners know, supermarkets are a key place where the provision of Changing Places toilets could change lives. If big supermarkets provided Changing Places toilets, disabled people who need them, and their families, could enjoy going shopping, having lunch and plan days out, just like anyone else.

The Changing Places Consortium and local campaigners have approached a number of leading supermarkets to ask them to consider installing Changing Places toilets. We are delighted that Asda have designed a Changing Places toilet with a view to installing one as a trial in a new store.

However Asda have reported that they can only take this step if they know that there is demand from their customers for Changing Places toilets. 

Whether or not you currently shop at Asda, we really need all our local campaigners to take one or more of the following actions:

Write to the store manager of your current or nearest store and explain why you or someone you know would benefit from the provision of a Changing Places toilet. You can find your nearest store and the manager’s name and address by visiting:

www.asda.co.uk/corp/storelocator_frameset/storelocator_frameset.htm 

If you are visiting your local Asda, fill in a customer comment card explaining why you or someone you know would benefit from the provision of a Changing Places toilet.

Contact customer services to ask that Asda install Changing Places toilets in their stores. You can fill in a simple form online by visiting www.asda.co.uk/corp/customer_service/contact_us.html 

Alternatively you can phone Customer Services on 0500 100055 or write to:
Customer Services, ASDA House, Southbank, Great Wilson Street, Leeds, LS11 5AD.

Please send the Changing Places Consortium a copy of any letters or emails you send or receive. This will help us to demonstrate the demand for Changing Places toilets across the country.

Email: changingplaces@mencap.org.uk 

Write to: Changing Places Consortium, c/o Mencap, 123 Golden Lane, London, EC1Y 0RT

Tel: 020 7696 6019

Fatboy Slim Concert

I've just had an email link to buy tickets for the next Fatboy Slim concert this September. It's going to be held on Brighton Beach, and I've going - tickets bought!  

Nintendo Wii

After all this back to nature stuff, I have to announce the arrival of some new technology in our house. We now have a Nintendo Wii. I first got to play with one a couple of weeks ago, when I went on a Richard Hirstwood course about technology for pupils with special needs. 

I had got as far as putting it on my Amazon wishlist, then discovered that it was in Sainsburys, and that we could buy it with nectar points (hooray!).

So, I've been playing the usual sports. I'm becoming better at bowling, but am hopeless at tennis, due to a total lack of hand-eye coordination. 

I've now decided that I need  Wii Fit board, after reading all the enthusiastic reviews on Amazon. However, there don't seem to be any available in the UK, so I've just ordered one from Amazon Deutschland 

Watch this space!

Lupin on the Allotment

Lupin, originally uploaded by cah44.

I don't actually like lupins, but this flower had gorgeous colours, so I might rethink my dislike!

gooseberries

gooseberries, originally uploaded by cah44.

The first gooseberries have appeared on the allotment.

My Birthday Basket

My New Basket, originally uploaded by cah44.

I got this bike basket for my recent birthday. Now I can ride round Brighton, looking like a 1960's housewife.

This was the basket's first outing to the allotment. (It sounds as though I have a part in "The Good Life").

Goslings

Goslings, originally uploaded by cah44.

Spotted at Southwick Mariina - a family of swans.

The First Broad Beans from the Allotment

The First Broad Beans from the Allotment, originally uploaded by cah44.

This year we have a really good crop.

frogs in the garden

frogs, originally uploaded by cah44.

We have lots of mature frogs living in our tiny pond in our tiny garden. Here are 2 of them, having a bit of a rest.

apple blossom

apple blossom, originally uploaded by cah44.

Blossom on the apple tree - hopefully we will have a good crop. (Last year, a storm destroyed most of the apples).

broad bean flowers

broad bean flowers, originally uploaded by cah44.

Things are starting to happen down at the allotment. The broad beans have lots of flowers and are looking good.

Southampton NUT Day of Action

Southampton NUT Day of Action, originally uploaded by cah44.

I took part in the NUT day of action for fair pay. Patrick was speaking at the Southampton rally, so I went along to that one, rather than the local West Sussex rally.

Well attended and well-supported, I thought. 

After the US

It took a very long time to get home, as our flight was delayed by 7 hours (and most of that time was spent on the plane, which the engineers were testing).

I've had major jet lag since arriving  back in the UK, but have plodded on at work.

It has been good to eat proper food.

Reminder to self - never ever fly with US Airways again.

Food in the USA

pancakes with syrup

I am currently on holiday in Cleveland, Ohio, and have been struggling with the food. Much (most?) of the offerings in the local restaurants have been full of fat and carbohydrates. Desserts are often garish and multi-coloured. Fresh fruit and vegetables have been a rarity.

For the first week I tried various unhealthy specialties, such as these pancakes with syrup (which I did not like much).

After 2 weeks here, I think that I am going to go pop.

I need to get back to the UK for proper fresh food.