Back to work for The Builder

I think it was with some reluctance that The Builder went back to work on Monday. And it was with considerable reluctance that we woke up and then got up at the normal times. We had, over the past two weeks, got used to waking quite a lot later!

On the other hand, he was somewhat worried when he got to work to discover that there is probably only another 5 r so weeks worth for the plasterers which implies that there is only another 6 weeks or so for the carpenters. Nobody was making any comment about ongoing work after that. This was a tad disconcerting. He hadn't really been planning to retire quite just yet - and there's not a lot of work in the construction world at the present, even though the economy generally seems to be drawing breath and getting ready to get up and moving again. We were just beginning to discuss the possibility of him looking for part time work in one of the DIY stores, or perhaps one of the supermarkets (all of whom have a policy of employing older people looking for part time work) while picking up on some of the home projects he has planned - when his foreman came back from holiday and suggested that his three carpenters would probably have ongoing work for perhaps another 18 months on a new build project. We shall see. But he wold certainly rather work on a building project than in a shop!

The travellers have returned from their tour of the hot spots of London. Ian has had a meeting with Matt-The-Builder's-Son-in-Law's work. Something to do with rostering systems. He and Lindsey had had a merry time emptying Hamleys and the REgent Street Apple Store of their stock. They've been to an open air production of Hello Dolly in Regent's Park and caught up with Zoy's girlfriend Amanda.

I met them at the Chesterfield Station in time for a late lunch at the Rutland and a potter around the shops. We dodged the occasional rain shower and Lindsey and I ran up to the allotment to inspect the broad beans and tomatoes. We hung some washing out - which naturally attracted the attention of quite a substantial shower! Then the weather cleared and we went along the back roads through a lovely evening via Barlow to Holmesfield, where we met Paul and Carol for a remarkably nice Thai meal in what used to be a pub. I must remember the existence of this Thai restaurant. The food was lovely and it's in a nice, country location not too far from home.

Not sure Lindsey's digestion enjoyed the meal, though. She had quite unpleasant indigestion when we got home! No more chilli for her.

This morning we are being visited by the remnants of hurricane Bill (what sort of a name is Bill for a hurricane? hurricanes need much more serious names than Bill!). We are expecting quite a lot of rain this morning - though I believe less so this afternoon. The Builder has gone to work. The rest of us have no plans at all until this evening when we are going to Gill and Peter's for dinner. No doubt something will occur to us to do. But in the meantime we are lazing gently about. We are, after all, supposed to be on holiday.

I suppose we could sort out my new hard drive and then sort out the gadzillions of photos!