<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dinner-tableaug16.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3813" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dinner-tableaug16-300x225.jpg" alt="dinner-table(aug16)" width="300" height="225" /></a><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Taster</span></strong> - On Saturday night I invited Dave &amp; Lucie and Nick &amp; Val to dinner. For most people this isn't a big thing but for my limited culinary skills it was something I undertook with some trepidation. Like most things in life (except bereavement) preparation is everything so I'd stringed the runner beans and cut the courgettes (both out of the garden) well in advance. Shopping for the salmon steaks was a challenge - right size and good quality. Even if the food wasn't tasty I was determined to set out a good table and this was ready two hours before the guests arrived. As it turned out the plates were cleared and my guests went home happy so I'm now thinking what I can cook for next time bearing in mind that one guest doesn't eat chicken, lamb or pork unless it's gammon or sausages.

[caption id="attachment_3801" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/kia-sportage.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3801" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/kia-sportage-300x169.jpg" alt="Kia Sportage" width="300" height="169" /></a> Kia Sportage[/caption]

<strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Tester</span></strong> - I test drove the Kia Sportage today but not without incident. The test was arranged for 10:30 but when I turned up at Stoneacre, Lincoln the sales guy couldn't remember who I was or what I was there to drive. He then told me there wasn't a car available. Thankfully he read my expression and went off to get a car. It still took 30 minutes before I was out on the road. It's a good car, comfortable, handles well and has enough oomph to keep me happy. The only issue I can see is that the First Edition (top of the range) only comes in black or white ("you cannot be serious") and the next version down doesn't come with grey leather seats. If I do decide to buy a Kia then I will travel to the Grimsby garage because the guy at Lincoln doesn't deserve my business.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-pixel-c.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3812" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-pixel-c-300x198.jpg" alt="google pixel c" width="300" height="198" /></a><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Tablets</span></strong> - I'm considering buying a new tablet. My Samsung Galaxy Tab 10 is now 3 years old and seems very unresponsive compared to my Galaxy S6 phone. So what do I buy? It would be easy to go for another Samsung however I'm quite attracted to the Google Pixel C which comes with a detachable keyboard.  If I do take this route I can imagine my laptop gathering dust in the corner which would be a shame.

Will my retail therapy ever end?