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Oct. 9th, 2021 09:54 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsI was catching up on some TV this morning and stupid Masterchef Australia made me cry. Stupid show. Stupid lovely hosts and contestants. It remains my favourite of all the Masterchef versions I watch, and Jock, Andy and Mel such great presenters.
We did a tip run from my MiL's house yesterday, and I swear the place never looks like it's emptying despite carloads of stuff going to the tip and charity shops. It doesn't help that after James went back to work my in-laws took a step back in terms of emptying and sorting the house. Plus, my MiL says she hates to go there now, which is understandable, but frustrating when there's still so much to be done. Plus, contact with the buyer had ground to a stop and their solicitor hadn't been in touch with my MiL's solicitor and the buyer had stopped replying to James' messages.
So, yesterday he pushed back a little and said they were going to sell to someone else because of the complete lack of contact. Amazingly, within 30 mins the buyer -- who's a developer so should know better -- had called and arrangements have been made to do the last certificate check and the solicitors have been in touch. Which is great as it means the house should be sold within a few weeks, but also, my MiL really needs to get in there and say what she wants to keep already.
While on the tip run I got a text message from my doctor saying I could book my Covid booster. Checking appointments I saw there was one in a nearby walk-in centre that afternoon, so I booked it, and am now topped up. No real side effects apart from a sore arm and a bit of tiredness again, so now I'm covered both flu and Covid booster wise.
It's Houghton Feast time. People who've been around for a while will know it's the local festival that happens every October. The fair is in the playing field next to the park, there was an opening ceremony with bands etc last night, fireworks will happen Monday evening, and today there will be the parade and ox sandwiches go on sale.
The ox sandwich thing is a tradition that's happened as long as I've been alive, they roast an ox on a spit overnight and then sell sandwiches on a Monday. It's funny because while I've never actually bought or eaten one in a very long time, hearing that they'd moved the day and location of the ox roasting was a shock. It has always happened in a little brick area in the corner of the show field, and always happened on a Monday late afternoon, so this Saturday 3 pm malarkey in a different location feels wrong.
But yeah, I do love Houghton Feast time, the air always smells of candy floss and the burger and chip vans, while I can easily hear the noise from the fair, and there's just a nice buzz about the place. Admittedly things get a little feral late night around the fair, so much so the whole centre of town, including some of our estate, has been put into a dispersal zone so the police can move people on without needing a cause, but that's easily ignored.
Someone on FB posted
I need to pull myself together to go to Re.F.Use for breakfast then we're off to watch the parade. Then tonight, Strictly and more Squid Games. Also, I need to get downloading the second set of Leverage: Redemption episodes that have dropped.
We did a tip run from my MiL's house yesterday, and I swear the place never looks like it's emptying despite carloads of stuff going to the tip and charity shops. It doesn't help that after James went back to work my in-laws took a step back in terms of emptying and sorting the house. Plus, my MiL says she hates to go there now, which is understandable, but frustrating when there's still so much to be done. Plus, contact with the buyer had ground to a stop and their solicitor hadn't been in touch with my MiL's solicitor and the buyer had stopped replying to James' messages.
So, yesterday he pushed back a little and said they were going to sell to someone else because of the complete lack of contact. Amazingly, within 30 mins the buyer -- who's a developer so should know better -- had called and arrangements have been made to do the last certificate check and the solicitors have been in touch. Which is great as it means the house should be sold within a few weeks, but also, my MiL really needs to get in there and say what she wants to keep already.
While on the tip run I got a text message from my doctor saying I could book my Covid booster. Checking appointments I saw there was one in a nearby walk-in centre that afternoon, so I booked it, and am now topped up. No real side effects apart from a sore arm and a bit of tiredness again, so now I'm covered both flu and Covid booster wise.
It's Houghton Feast time. People who've been around for a while will know it's the local festival that happens every October. The fair is in the playing field next to the park, there was an opening ceremony with bands etc last night, fireworks will happen Monday evening, and today there will be the parade and ox sandwiches go on sale.
The ox sandwich thing is a tradition that's happened as long as I've been alive, they roast an ox on a spit overnight and then sell sandwiches on a Monday. It's funny because while I've never actually bought or eaten one in a very long time, hearing that they'd moved the day and location of the ox roasting was a shock. It has always happened in a little brick area in the corner of the show field, and always happened on a Monday late afternoon, so this Saturday 3 pm malarkey in a different location feels wrong.
But yeah, I do love Houghton Feast time, the air always smells of candy floss and the burger and chip vans, while I can easily hear the noise from the fair, and there's just a nice buzz about the place. Admittedly things get a little feral late night around the fair, so much so the whole centre of town, including some of our estate, has been put into a dispersal zone so the police can move people on without needing a cause, but that's easily ignored.
Someone on FB posted
I need to pull myself together to go to Re.F.Use for breakfast then we're off to watch the parade. Then tonight, Strictly and more Squid Games. Also, I need to get downloading the second set of Leverage: Redemption episodes that have dropped.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-09 11:37 am (UTC)Your Houghton fest looks delightful! I hope you have fun wandering around and eating ox tongue or whatever. *g*
You know I have heard of Squid Games, but I have no idea if it is a scripted show, a reality show, a game show, or even an actual video game. But everyone seems into it!
no subject
Date: 2021-10-09 02:51 pm (UTC)I'll have you know it's a full ox that gets roasted! *g*
At least that's what they say, a running joke is to keep an eye out for any cows that go missing from the fields nearby. The parade was fun, though standing for nearly an hour didn't do my knees any good. I was walking like a robot trying to bend them when I could finally move again.
Squid Games is weird and something I normally wouldn't watch, but like you said, everyone seems to be into it. It's a South Korean survival drama streaming on Netflix, where people deeply in dept sign up to play in the Squid Games. Which are pretty much kids games where if you lose you die, always in a very grusome fashion. It's surreal, the dubbing is terrible, but the acting and characters are so compelling that it pulls you in despite the gore and weirdness.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-09 06:01 pm (UTC)Yay for getting your booster!
no subject
Date: 2021-10-10 02:58 pm (UTC)I know. I guess as house sales go it's not taking that long, it was just the complete lack of contact, especially from the solicitors that was unnerving.
I'm glad my booster is done, and done so fast too.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-10 08:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-10 02:55 pm (UTC)The ox was rather big. They posted the below photo of it and then it was roasted all night, watching over by volunteers on the broadway.
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Date: 2021-10-10 12:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-10 02:56 pm (UTC)It really is. I was very impressed when I saw it.
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Date: 2021-10-10 10:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 08:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 04:13 am (UTC)The slowdown in clearing the house sounds frustrating. I hope the renewed activity will lead to more progress.
And that's a fantastic view of the festival - it looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 08:38 am (UTC)The slow down at the house has been frustrating. Like I said in my post, I completely understand why my MiL doesn't want to go there now. But, she's the only person who can actually sort through things.
it looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!
You're right. It does :D
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Date: 2021-10-12 06:35 pm (UTC)Congratulations to your covid booster! The third shot is only being offered here to the over-80s / in risk-groups so far but I guess it's just a matter of time before more of us will be able to get it.
That photo of the Feast at night is soo cool! And quite lovely in a garish way - like a multicoloured glass sculpture illuminated from within.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-13 10:41 am (UTC)The third shot is only being offered here to the over-80s / in risk-groups so far but I guess it's just a matter of time before more of us will be able to get it.
Here the booster is for NHS/care workers, those seen at risk and OAPs. It seems I'm classed as at risk due to having the bypass, which feels weird as it made me much healthier.
That's a lovely way to describe that photo, I agree, it is lovely in a garish way.
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Date: 2021-10-16 05:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-18 02:16 pm (UTC)