By 'Eck Marty, I can eat a pound of hot gravel, washed down with 15 sambucas and still wake up int paper bag down t'gasworks.

I managed to get unaddicted for a tour to Japan a few years ago (I thought it would be desperately pathetic and against all my principles to rush around Japanese towns searching for the local Starbucks).  When I came home I was determined to stay unaddicted.  But then I went to Spain... mmm, cortados, yum.  And yes, the concentrated bursts of energy that come in espresso-cup-sized doses are very useful, particularly when jet-lagged.  Oh well.  Next time I'm in the Far East it'll have to be Starbucks after all.  Boo.

Those little cans of coffee may not have much caffeine, but they somehow cram in about 5 times their volume in sugar - which will almost do in a pinch.

I didn't know matcha could do that.  Will have to try it recreationally before applying it in professional circumstances.

Since this will be my 1000th post I'll celebrate with a mega-grump...

It's my day off but I went into school at 3.15 to print Primary Frameworks planning off the internet - the printer wasn't working.
The caretaker was locking up early so we all had to leave by 4.15. I found that I couldn't get into my car as none of the locks would open (I've had problems with the fob breaking but until today the key had worked). Luckily I caught the last teacher just as she was driving off and had a lift home (only 3 miles) to pick up my spare key - she then very kindly returned me to my car (this bit isn't a grump!) and drove off as she saw me open the door. But the key wouldn't turn in the ignition. I thought it might be the steering wheel lock so leaned heavily on the steering wheel but no, the key simply wouldn't turn - and neither would the other key. I was going to ring the AA but decided to try ringing home first as my husband might have a better idea - he was there so he offered to drive over to try for himself. 

Half an hour later and still no sign of him, by which time it was very dark and very cold - but at least I was in the car. A badly-timed coffee was having the usual effect making me wonder how long I could last before I'd have to resort to squatting in the rain behind the car! Then I got a phone call (thank goodness for mobiles) - his car wouldn't start but not to worry he would be there soon...Twenty minutes later he arrived in our next-door neighbour's car - "That's nice of **** to lend you her car" I commented. By using pliers and sheer brute force he managed to start my car.

As I parked on our drive I noticed the neighbours rush out to greet him as he drove it onto their drive. I went round to thank them - and found them ringing the police to assure them their car hadn't been stolen after all...the idiot had "borrowed" their car without asking them  nor had he even left them a note.  We have their key as we often mind their house when they're away - they'd only been out for a few minutes at their other next-door neighbours'.

Edit to add: Good job our neighbours have a great sense of humour!

Biggest grump is about not being able to use my car now  and God knows how much it'll cost to have new locks fitted (central locking) and quite possibly the ignition will have to be changed too...aaargh! The car's a 12 year old Peugeot 806 (people carrier) so I'm sure it'll cost a fortune.

Hope you have a better day today MJ !

xxx Jan xx

Had a strange smell in the bathroom for the last couple of days. Not mouldy or damp or musty but it reminds me of unpleasant cough pastilles, hard to describe. I thought it might be the drains so I put thick bleach down them. But today the smell's still there so I sniffed round all the walls and I think it's coming from inside the electic shower unit on the wall - yet it doesn't smell like it's overheating. And the circuit-breaker hasn't been triggered. Can anyone suggest why it should be smelling?