Putting things right

Remember this post about a kak afternoon at the races?

None of the horses that we wanted to win, won.
And that was quite annoying.
At first, it was just a bit annoying, but then, as the sequence continued, it got more and more annoying.

Well, let the record show that not every afternoon at the races is kak.

Because we turned out today in the cold, wet, windy weather and with limited expectations, and then this happened:

Not my pics*: I was just there for moral support (and to win a bit of cash).

And we had a lot of stuff to get done, so with the obligatory interviews and a quick glass of bubbly out of the way, we left with happy hearts and slightly fuller wallets.

This was a good lunchtime at the races.

* edge patrol on that second one!!!!

Aaaand we’re back!

Yesterday’s internet issue lasted well into today, but the announcement of a restoration of service came alongside a complete explanation of what had gone wrong, and a full apology.

Lol. Did it bollocks. Stuff just finally started working again at about 2 this afternoon, and we haven’t heard a peep from our ISP.

[sarcasm]Amazing.[/sarcasm]

Thankfully, and I am saying that with a very calm voice because this is now in the past, we could use the satellite TV to watch United’s playoff semi-final. And so we did.

And that was genuinely amazing.

A new record aggregate score for the Championship playoff semis, and a place at Wembley next Saturday.

They’ve been brilliant. They’ve blown Bristol City away.

Again. No chicken counting. But this does just feel better than our previous [checks notes] nine failed attempts in the playoff system.

Bathroom_v2.1.4_final_FINAL

Nearly there. _FINAL ly.

Almost everything was completed yesterday.

Toilet hung.
Shower glass in.
Mirrors up and wired in.
Countertop installed.
Basins glued. n0 fUmEs wErE InH@LeD…
Taps drilled and attached.

And it’s just that penultimate one that’s holding us back. Because the glue needs to set before they can plumb the basins in, and so they’ll need to visit us for about half an hour on Monday.

So _FINAL_FINAL, then.

While the guys have been great throughout – and I’ll try to remember a post with some contacts in for local people wanting recommended local services for local things – it’s been a real mission to get through this with the numerous public holidays meaning short weeks, and a small, tight, hard to get to workspace in the East Wing of 6000 Manor.

But we’re (very, very nearly) there now. And it’s looking great.

We might even get to sleep in our own room tonight.

Not counting chickens

Thank goodness I corrected that spelling error in the title.

It’s never ever over until the fat lady sings, but I can hear someone warming their voice up and all the chocolate has disappeared from the treats cupboard, so I think we’re at least some way towards getting somewhere.

A wonderful performance last night down in Bristol from the Red And White Wizzzaaaards, and we look forward to a cracking atmosphere at Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane on Monday for the return leg.

As soon as I saw Vini Souza throwing himself about in the background of Andre Brooks’ goal celebration, I knew that someone was going to have the photograph of the night. And while this one isn’t quite at peak flight for either of our protagonists, it’s still really rather good, and surely one of the next few frames will surface in the near future.

I hate the playoffs, but yes, that offside call might just have been correct; yes, of course it was a red card; and yes, this result was probably more than we could have dreamt of before kick off last night.
I’m absolutely ready to have my now foolishly expectant heart broken again in the near future.
Rinse and repeat.

UTB.

Duck

Not a sponsored post. Just some information on a new find.
New to me, at least. And that’s what counts on here.

Superb, delicious, free range and batch cooked “to perfection”, nogal. All the boxes ticked.
These are the duck equivalent of Pork Scratchings.

Duck Scratchings, then. Perfect.

What, as they like to ask, is not to like?
Well actually, the serving suggestions provided by the retailer might fall into that category:

Perfect with salads or as a topping on lasagne.

No. Don’t do this. Don’t trouble yourself with that level of detail. Simply scoff the (reduced because the use by date is approaching) packet on the way home from the supermarket. No green leaves or pasta sheets in sight. Much easier.

They also say:

Once opened, store in an airtight container.

Well, that’s pretty much my body, if you exclude the lungs and the other breathy bits.

And say what you will about the Chinese, with their authoritarian government, harsh restrictions on press freedoms, complete and absolute disregard for the environment, and horrific human rights record: that 5-Spice is an absolute banger. And there’s still so much more room for potential improvement by maybe adding a sixth or seventh spice. I’m shocked that it hasn’t happened already.

Folks, with just 25% of your daily cholesterol per packet and about the same for your sodium, there’s clearly no need to do more than simply devour 4 packets of these, each day. Sorted.

I bumped into my cardiologist at the shopping centre, and showed them to him, and he told me that they’re great for business, so it does really seem like everyone is happy.

Go get some.