ET Phone Home

I am sure that he would have more luck than he would trying to phone us at the moment. In fact a couple of tins linked with a piece of string would beat our super new all singing all dancing VOIP phone system. Marion is just nipping down to Tesco for a crate of Value Baked Beans so we can start putting them together. Regular readers will know that the system was installed late last year and had teething problems which we were told would soon iron themselves out. They haven't, and have got progressively worse with flashing lights and dropped calls being a regular feature of the day. We told the service providers that enough was enough and we decided to cancel the contract. "Oh no you can't" was the telecoms company's response. "Oh yes we can" was our obvious retort. "£2,800 cancellation charge" said Mr Telecoms. Hmmm. I can see this one running and running. If you can't get through on the phone to us keep trying. We are doing our best to get things right.

Meanwhile Big Al the accountant is making good progress with the books. He spotted the scrap theft straight away and put it conservatively at £18,000. So much for the local police's acceptance of £2,500.



I asked on Friday if Liverpool might consolidate their position at the top of the Premiership on Saturday. The answer was a resounding NO and I swiftly laid my bets on a Liverpool title so I now stand to win about £50 if it's us or Man U but at least I won't be losing anything in this market. I've got some small bets running on Celebrity Big Brother where it looks like Verne is a dead cert to win despite rumours that the News of The World is planning some sort of Mini-Me sex scandal for next Sunday. (I win only £34 if he wins). I will have a try at the Dancing on Ice market although I am not a fan of the show. I tuned in on Sunday and young Ray Quinn was so much better than anybody else I can't see it being anything more than a one horse race if it goes on ability. But we haven't seen the girls yet and there may just be a female Ray. And who says it goes on ability? On Sunday Todd Carty was so bad he made John Sergeant's performance on Strictly look positively balletic but he didn't even manage to find himself in the bottom two.


After three months' absence from the antiques scene I dipped a toe in the market at the weekend and put three bits ups for sale on eBay including this lovely Poole Pottery deco vase dating from around 1930. It's a great little item and there are already 24 people watching it so I am hopeful of a profit on this one.

We are approaching the end of the tests on the sous vide equipment now and the chefs' feedback has been extremely encouraging. We should be in a position to launch for Easter. Watch this space.



Hoping to give Slumdog Millionaire a try tomorrow night. Orange Wednesday so we better get tickets in advance.And speaking of cinema let's end on a happy note. Someone finally gave Kate Winslet an award. Don't think she'll get another.