Raining today, some really heavy showers, cool and quite windy,probably the back end of the Big Bertha just arrived up here.

Trip into town this morning, to purchase some of the small easy-peel oranges I like, they vary from 15 to 20 for £1, I eat them like sweets, tell myself they're good for me and not too over-loaded with calories.
Basis greengrocers, middle of town on the pedestrian street, the shop has a mixed history, been all sorts of things over the last 50 years but none of them lasted long. This young chap opened about 2 years ago, sells most things by the price not weight, a lot of little basins full of various produce, usually £1 per basin, or fruits at 6 for £1. His prices compare very well with the superstores, he seems very busy most days and has at least 2 full-time assistants. No packaging, everything on display to pick your own, people seem to like that, I know I do. A bag of my small oranges by his pay-point (no till here) and he asked me if I wanted them for £1, to be eaten soon. OK, I'll have them, there was 33 in the bag.

Cat been inside all today, probably doesn't like the rain any more than we do.

A grim morning, after a mixed day yesterday, this morning is cool. overcast and raining, not a bit of blue sky in sight.

Got a library book to read though, visited the village library yesterday. They threatened it with closure a couple of years ago, but after the villagers displayed a united front against this, and organised a massive petition signed by just about everybody in the village (population approx 5,000) the powers that be relented and allowed it to remain.  So I think it's only fair that we use it regularly, they probably monitor it, looking for a reason (excuse) to close it due to lack of interest in the next round of cost-cutting.
The main town library, incorporating a cafe, several helpful librarians and many more books, involves either a 20 minute bus ride there and another back or a swearing session trying to find somewhere to park.
Our village library, not full-time, no cafe and a single helpful librarian, is walkable for most but has a few parking spaces as well, safe for old and young (not on a main road), and although not having the same selection of reading material, any book can be ordered and collected when available (usually a few days) for the small charge of 50p. Cheaper than bus fare or fuel.

A victory for people power over bureaucracy. And common sense.

Friday again, how fast they come round.

Mrs decreed this morning that I needed a haircut, so off I went dutifully to my barbers shop in Maryport, a chap called George Bell.
Old-fashioned barber shop, not the modern hairdressers style, reminiscent of my memories of how barbers shops were in my youthful days but without the ashtrays and smoke-laden atmosphere, just a sign saying "No Smoking"
One chair, one mirror, and the imitation leather benches on each side seating perhaps 10 men, lino on the floor, all of which haven't changed in 12 years that I know of and didn't look remotely new then. Don't know his age, possibly above recognised retirement, never speeds up or slows down, just a steady pace that seems entirely in keeping with the place.
Hugely popular with the local middle-aged population, and the younger boys for their short cropped all over styles, always a good crack as we say here, one of the few remaining male bastions (except for the occasional young mother presenting her usually protesting off-spring for a trim)

Long may it last.

Another fine morning here, blue sky with white clouds, not as warm, just nice and bearable, it was too hot for us locals, we're much more used to cold, wind and rain than tropical temperatures.

Friday's here again, they seem to come round alarmingly quickly, I've noticed the older I get the faster time seems to run, the long days of my younger years now seem to disappear so quickly.
Visit to grandson today, I've got him a coconut, something a bit different from the usual banana, it sounds full of milk as well.

Noticed the comment regarding Raggy cat, it was named because of its ears being distinctly raggy in appearance, we thought it was a tom, but difficult to tell as it wouldn't let us near enough to establish that. When it became sick, Mrs decided I had to take it to the vet, a project on its own, it finally travelled in a suitcase. The nice young lady vet examined it, shoved a thermometer up its rectum (don't know how she got away with that) and gave me her considered opinion. It's actually female, about 2-3 years old, probably neutered, ears raggy from fighting, healthy except for some tummy bug for which she gave it a pill. And me a bill for £35.
It continues to enjoy robust good health, is quite happy to live outside when we go away on holiday, and has established its routine, came in the back door this morning, bounded across the grass from the jungle bit, ate a bit of tongue and now preening itself on the bed with Mrs.
Yes, it's a lucky little animal.