Into Derby

Today we went to Derby; we've not visited as often this winter as last, don't know why, but we had a good list of stuff to get done, all of which we managed, pretty much.

We founds a branch of Blacks and were able to get my wrong sized Christmas present slippers changed for the right ones and then, greatly daring (well that's how it felt), trekked down London Road to Midland Road, where there's a Post Office that does driving licence renewals. A photocard driving licence has to be renewed every ten years. Sheila had been able to do hers online, as her passport is just less than five years old – in those circumstances they can lift the photo across from one to t'other – but my passport was just out of time, so the choice was get a photo from a booth, or to do it in the PO.

Must say, it was a credit to modern technology for once. It all went very smoothly, the only tricky bit being the signature; you have to sign on an electronic pad that doesn't show you the emerging scribble until it's all done, very odd. The cost was £4.50 more than online, but I'd probably have paid most of that getting a photo from a booth, and this way you're guaranteed that the effort will be acceptable.

Back towards Westfield we headed, calling in at Wilkinson to get some mats for the floor under the mushroom vents in the galley and study and some other bits and bobs. By now it was lunchtime, so we went into the Westfield food court and regaled ourselves with chicken and mushroom pie (Sheila) and beef stew in giant Yorkshire pudding (me).

A trip to Sainsbury's and a visit to Superdrug completed what we had to do, and we were back in the bus station in good time for the 1 o'clock bus.

After all the excitement, we've had a quiet afternoon; I've done another recipe for my book, and we found a birthday present online for grandson Alex. His birthday's not until next month, but it seemed a good idea to get it done in good time, before his other grandparents see his wish list.

/wahaha

Tomorrow, we're helping Elanor again, and Sunday is litter picking in the morning and possibly boat washing in the afternoon. The Heatabix burns well, but the smoke is very wet, resulting in condensation from even our Little Chimney Company chimney finding its way onto the roof.