In other domestic news...

I've bought a tree!! Yes, the greenhouse and garden have been calling me for several years. Now I've taken the plunge.

Ever since some childhood memories of planting spuds I've always entertained vague thoughts of growing stuff for myself. Till now, there's never been a patch of earth to call my own. Now I have two long swathes which are currently yielding a fine crop of spring weeds and very little else.

So, I now have a stubby little apple tree which stands pride of place amidst all the shrubbery. Got more kicks out of planting that than nearly everything I've done of late. Something bout getting hands grubby and soil under your nails which can't be

beat. That's my belief anyway.

X gave it a welcoming watering and christened it 'Ben Ten'. Consider it an experiment of mine. We'll keep it bug free, watered and in the line for plenty of sunshine. Harvest comes October time apparently.. I look forward to see if my efforts will bear fruit (ha ha).

Cider anybody?

X meanwhile turns 6. He gets spoilt rotten, acts like a proper little centre of attention at his party (something I'm still not impressed with), but is suitably thrilled with the largesse he has received. So many lego sets to play with, Transformers without end.. and a Nintendo DS!! Tired cliches about kids 'not knowing they have it so good' aside, I do hope he's enjoying life right now and getting everything positive he can out of it.

And me? I've been sleeping so lightly of late. E snoozes soundly through to the morning hours whereas I wake up as soon as X makes his elephantine presence felt (how can someone so small make so much noise?). With my spare time I've been following the ways of the world more than I used to (Libya/Japan/The economy/etc). Would love to be able to get my hands on my previous work pension and invest it into precious metals right now. Reckon there won't be to much in the bank by the time I get my hands upon it. Still, my stash of bling steadily gains further value, silver and gold continue their undulating ascent up the financial charts. We're planning a car boot sale later on this spring, so will be packing the eye glass and a roll of twenties just in case I can pick up some scrap!

I'm watching the alternative news websites to keep tabs on the nuclear meltdown business in the Far East. Our news stations are saying bugger all now, but if you dig a little deeper the radioactive seawater and exposed fuel rods make for worrying reading.

A.