Monday 2nd to Sunday 15th February
Tuesday 3rd February
We took a run into Northampton yesterday morning and stayed a bit
longer than expected; we left at 9am and were back on the boat just before 1pm.
Alex was lying on Sheila’s armchair when we came in, but he didn’t seem to be
his usual chipper self. Normally he can jump up the front step and off the boat
very easily, but he just didn’t seem to have enough energy at that time.
We kept an eye on him for the rest of the day, but he seemed to be very
downcast. This morning I found a solid lump of matter and other material by his
bed, which I assume he has thrown up sometime during the night.
Anyway, I took him out for his usual morning walk, but he still seems
short of energy. Even now, at 7.30am he is on his bed, whereas he would
normally be staring up at me awaiting his breakfast. We’ll make an appointment
to see the vet later today and have him checked out.
Thursday 5th February
Yesterday we took a run over to Sainsbury’s for a weekly shop but,
since it has been a couple of weeks since we last paid that store a visit, we
came away with far more than usual. In fact we filled the trolley and two
shopping bags up.
Today we’ll be taking the bus into Rugby, because I need some new
underwear and because, well, just because………. This afternoon I’ll be spending
more time on the laptop, listing a few things on eBay on a 10 day auction. Why
am I listing them today? Well, this is an idea I picked up some years ago. If
you list your items on Thursday afternoon, and if you list it on a 10 day
auction, then the listing will end on a Sunday afternoon, which is when most
people will be available to bid on your items. Simple!!!
The weather now seems to be warming up; even though we had more snow
overnight; so I’m more hopeful of getting down to Harlow for Saturday.
Alex seems none the worse for his lack of energy yesterday, so a visit
to the Vet has been avoided. He’s a funny lad, and no mistake.
Monday 9th February
I drove down to Harlow on Saturday morning and had two visits to make;
one to my old work colleague Les, the other to an even older work colleague,
Chris and his wife Marilyn. However, because Chris was going out with his son
by 12 noon, I needed to leave a little earlier than usual.
After giving Les a lift to her daughter’s flat we returned to her house
for a cuppa and a chat, as we usually do. I then drove over to see Chris and
Marilyn, where I had an even longer chat and a coffee. Dead on the dot of 12
noon Chris’s son Paul turned up and I left at the same time, to arrive at
Alan’s place at about 12.30 – the traffic along Southern Way was very heavy.
Before doing anything else I had to set up my laptop and list a few
items on eBay. I could have done this on Alan’s computer, but I took the laptop
in order to check its behaviour on his WiFi. I had been worrying that my laptop
may have been at fault when I’m on the Internet. However, I had no problems on
Alan’s system, so I have to assume it’s a signal problem here on the boat. This
means I’ll have to drive over to Maplin’s sometime and see if I can get an
extension lead for my antenna.
We spent our evening in The White Admiral as usual, but it was pretty
quiet in the Saloon Bar, because most of the regulars were watching the
Spurs/Arsenal match. Spurs won, if you’re interested.
The drive home was pretty quick; I love that Sunday morning drive up
the M1, when it’s pretty easy.
Today I have no idea what we’ll be doing; the weather is somewhat
milder so we may take a run over to Daventry Country Park.
Tuesday 10th February
The weather turned out to be really quite mild and sunny, so we did
take that run over to Daventry Country Park. On the way out; after just a
short-ish walk; we studied the main board that highlights the different walks,
and discovered that the last time we visited the Park we actually walked for 2½
miles. Not since our 4 mile round trip on the Llangollen Canal, where we walked
down to Horseshoes Falls, have I managed a walk of that length.
Today will be rather more sedate as it’s changed to cold and foggy out
there.
Wednesday 11th February
Well, as I mentioned yesterday, we didn’t do very much with our day,
just a walk to the Co-op for a few bits and pieces, then chill out for the rest
of the day.
I’m still having problems with the Internet though. For example, I have
purchased several items over the past couple of years, from a guitar tutor
called Mike Herberts, who makes learning much more fun. However, he’s now come
up with a new, fingerpicking video and has sent links to his demos.
Unfortunately my signal here is so weak that I can’t actually watch them
without having them stall after just a few seconds. Yes, seconds.
What I really need to do is raise our antenna so as to have a better
line of sight to the nearest transmitter. But, having scoured the Internet for
possible suppliers, I’ve come to a full stop. I’ve even tried Maplin’s, who are
usually pretty good at these things, but even they don’t stock extension leads
to my WiFi unit. This is a twin cable and I’m reluctant to cut it and splice an
additional length of plain cable to it. I may be able to raise it a few inches
if we put one of Wifey’s flower boxes on the roof and positioning it closer to
the window upon which the WiFi is mounted, but that will only succeed in raising
it a few inches at most. I think it needs to be a few feet higher if I’m to get
that stronger signal.
What peeves me about this situation is that there are four transmitters
in this area, and we still have a weak signal. Even the marina WiFi is pretty
useless, so there’s no point reverting to that. Life’s a bitch, etc, etc!!
The only thing I haven’t tried; apart from raising the antenna a few
inches; is to point it in a different direction. But I have my doubts about
that being any better. Still, I suppose it’s worth a try.
Thursday 12th February
Well, we took the bus into Rugby yesterday and I paid a visit to the ‘Three’
shop, again! This time I asked where I might be able to find an extension lead
to the WiFi unit. Naturally they were unable to help. Why do I even bother??
Today we’ll take a drive over to Daventry and, before visiting the Pets
at Home store for Alex’s food, we’ll call into Homebase, just in case they have
the necessary connectors for an extension lead. I’m not hopeful, but I might as
well take a look. You never know, I might come up with an idea. Like I said
earlier, I’m reluctant to splice a piece of cable to the existing one.
Friday 13th February
No joy at Homebase, but I did find the eBay listing for the 4G Lte
antenna and have asked the vendor if he can help with the extension lead.
Meanwhile, I repositioned the antenna to a slightly higher position, which has
certainly improved matters, although not as much as I would like. So, I still
need that extension lead.
Saturday 14th February
Having emailed the vendor of the antenna on Thursday morning, I
received a reply from him yesterday. My message to him was, could he help me to
find an extension lead for the antenna, as I needed to raise it in order to get
a stronger signal. There are times when I wonder how these people make a living
on eBay because he said in his reply, “doesn’t the antenna work?”
I’ve now had to go through the whole question and answer routine again,
simply because this idiot hasn’t bothered to read my email properly. Still, not
to worry, I’m sure I’ll find what I want eventually. Meanwhile the signal is
somewhat improved now that I have re-positioned it slightly.
Sunday 15th February
I’m not surprised that the vendor of that antenna was so befuddles by
my question, because I received another message from him this morning and, from
the wording of the message, he’s not completely au fait with the English
language. However, he’s going to try to help – he says – but his engineers are
on holiday (?) for 15 days. What? All of them? We’ll see!!
Now, I’ve only written four pages of this blurb, but it is quite a
while since I last posted, so I’ll do that now.
Have a good week folks.
Dave, Sheila and Alex.
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