Variety

Still worried this morning as late yesterday I could not log onto the internet. I have recently "upgraded" my broadband connection but the extra monthly rental does not yet appear to be justified. Why do I rely on the computer as I do? When it works, it's fine but when it doesn't I click a few buttons, switch off and then back on and get fogged completely by the error message(s) which pop up. Where are the DNS settings? Where is the Wrench menu. This assumes a dexterity with my computer which I do not have and which I frankly don't want to learn - I just want to click a button and for it to work and when it goes wrong to be confronted with another button and a simple message to "Click This."

I had to leave this problem and drive a few miles to collect 4 grandaughters ranging in age from 12 to 8 as my wife had offered her childminding skills whilst the parents were at work. Arrived at the pick-up point far too early (motorway traffic light) so listened to the radio and continued to worry about my internet connection. Children arrived (without coats) and morning not to promising but we were soon back at my home. Is it only senior citizens who now bother with "coats?"

Lacking confidence, I turned the computer back on - very, very slow but I got connected to the internet! Hurray! Magic! Treated the machine very gingerly but have managed to remain connected until at least nearly 6.00pm as I write this.

Did some town councillor work - mainly reading but as result of letter received at lunch time also did some thinking (about the letter). At times I have a tendency to form an instant opinion but am pleased with myself on those occasions when I let my views "emerge" as they sometimes do with the passage of time. Kids playing football on my patio, my wife finds the tent in the garage which is built with support from patio-tree - still too damp for them to play with it in the garden.

Hear one shout of "Don't kick that ball in that garden!"

Short walk on my one to the Post Box to post a birthday card for my wife.

Lunch follows - cooked meal (as usual) - I eat extra-splendid meals when we have the kids. All of us have "mash" and chicken + veg but one insists on chips which she eats first and then toys with the remainder of the meal. Kids take ages to eat whereas I eat very quickly.

Dishwasher loaded and switched on and back to the computer. Now settle to do some work on one of my hobbies - feel pleased with myself so offer to take the kids for walk. We play (or rather I play) an impromptu game of football on a grassed area but kids anxious to admire every dog that passes by. I don't like dogs.

Short walk then to Motorway Service Station where kids play on the play area. I relax and enjoy what is now quite warm, pleasant sunshine. I'm always reminded at this point that kids always growing - all 4 of them can now master the climbing frame whereas it only seems a short time ago that the youngest pair lacked confidence to climb down a pole; now they can both climb up the pole and hang and "turn-over" on it before dropping to the ground. I issue the odd injunction to "Be careful" knowing full well that I will get a severe reprimand if there is "an accident" resulting in crazes or at worst a broken limb. Kids doff shoes and then put them back on when I insist that they do so as a "safety precaution" against broken glass which might be lying around. Little competition goes down well which I happily organise (and time) which all kids participate in with some enthusiasm. Pullovers doffed (which I am instructed to "look after") - did I worry unnecessarly about absence of coats around 9.00am this morning?

Kids must have enjoyed the exercise as they noticeably much quieter as we wander back home with a couple of stops again to admire dogs. Eldest grandaughter at this point comments that "There are a lot of cats around your house, Grandad." She's right - there are but then I love cats so that's O.K.

Back to the computer (still connected to the internet) and kids now indoors with my wife telling them to "Turn that TV down." It's usually me that's troubled by noise.

Around 5.00pm kids depart for home with their Granny being the driver for this journey. My childminding duties to resume again tomorrow morning at 9.00a.m. Oh, I do hope the weather is OK it is much better when they can get outside otherwise it is likely to be a long week.

I console myself with a glance at the paper, grab an ice-cream from the fridge, and pull a curtain over to shield me from the Sun as I sit again in front of the computer - still OK. I observe again my neighbour working in his garden which makes me feel guilty so I promise myself I may (may, I said) mow the lawn tomorrow and do some weeding if it's fine.

I suppose a picture to support this Blog would be nice but I can't be bothered. Also decide quickly not to read through this Blog but just to post it and then read it. Will probably be suprised at my spelling errors and how "it rambles" but, as I say, I've had some variety today so who cares!