General Chat

It’s been dry this morning though it keeps coming over very black. I think we had our share of the rain last night. Just as we got in from the club meeting the heavens opened and it rained heavily on and off all night, with plenty of thunder too. At least I got the bedding washed and dried this morning. I hope it stayed dry for AnnG.

It was a good meeting last night and brought back memories for us as we had 3 lovely holidays in the area so had been to all the places he showed. As an added bonus we won a bottle of wine in the raffle. We pay £2 subs and for that we get a talk of some sort, tea/coffee and biscuits and a raffle ticket. You couldn’t get better value than that.

As we’re driving around we do pass fields of blue, though from the road you can’t always tell if it’s linseed or borage. It always looks pretty and is easier on the eyes than the fields of rape that are in bloom earlier in the year.

Hope you get on OK at the dentist Mel. I’ve got a similar problem. I’ve got a metal plate with 4 teeth. A couple of years ago I dropped it and just chipped 1 tooth. It wasn’t causing any problems so I just left it but now a bit more has chipped off and it looks as though the tooth is splitting vertically. I’ve rung the dentist and got an appointment on Thursday. MORE EXPENSE as Frank always said.

I was wondering why I was aching so much but then remembered I had a burst of energy this morning and cleaned the windows in the kitchen and utility and the glass in the front door and it involved a bit of bending and stretching. There are 2 glass doors and 2 full length panes between the dining part of the kitchen and the conservatory. The biggest problem is a pane behind the sink area. There are 3 but 2 of them open outwards so I can clean them from outside. The middle one is a fixed pane and I have to get the heavy indoor steps, stand on these and try and reach right over the sink and taps to get to the glass. What a silly design, no wonder my back aches.

I’m now waiting for Tesco who are due between 3 and 4 pm. Apparently there are no subs but one thing missing. As it’s only a couple of leeks I’m not bothered about that.

Oh good, it’s raining again.

Back from our trip. We got to the Lavender at 10.30. It has changed since we were last there and now there is not a proper cafe but a hut with take away drinks and a few seats around, with a few under cover. It wa dull when we got there but stayed dry long enough for us to walk around the lavender and the wild flower meadow. Thos of us who had been before felt it was not as good now there was not as much lavender to see. However the wildflower meadow was stunning. At about 11,30 it started to rain and there was quite a heavy shower. I was able to get under cover so didn't get very wet. We stayed there until about 12 then drove to the Snowshill pub where we had tables booked. There should have been 15 of us but some were unwell and there were only 9, but just as well really as they were very busy. The food was excellent. I had fish and chips and it was really nice. When we came out from lunch it was torrential rain so a good job we went to the lavender in the morning.

When we got home there had not been any rain at all.

Afternoon all,

Rainy morning here but its brightened up a bit now ,took the car and son picked me up ,son looked on the mot app thingy and it's passed with few advisories so thats good .

Hope Anng has a dry day for her trip to the Lavender fields ,we went to the Lavender farm near Hunstanton years ago and I remember they had a nice tea room but with the coaches it was very busy .

Mel hope you can get your tooth sorted out without to much expense.

Ann I remember seeing linseed in the fields a few years ago we wondered what it was at the time but it's such a pretty blue flower and the field looked so blue in the sunshine .
The children finish school here on Friday, poor Lewis was a bit poorly over the weekend he had a high temperature but they didn't know why so he had yesterday off but he's gone in today as its his last day in this years class then they have three days in next year's classroom and he didn't want to miss it, up until then he had 100% attendance and got an excellent report .

Oh Vera I shall have to look in Roys for the Bisto thanks for mentioning that ,Tesco only have the little one .
I'm not sure who was driving the learner car but there was a lady there so the he driver might have been a she driver ,whoever it was must I hope it hasn't put them off trying again .

Going back to the Bisto ,mum would put all sorts in her gravy Bisto ,oxo ,Bovril and cornflour or flour to help thicken it .
She also made a lovely coffee blancmange with cornflour too .

Shopping came and no subs this week. Sun has come out here now and its quite pleasent. Theres huge white clouds but blue sky inbetween.

Hope its nice where Ann is so she can enjoy the Lavender fields in comfort. I remember going to the Norfolk lavender farm years ago when I lived in Suffolk.

Hope you can get a pic of the Flax field Ann. They used to grow that on the fields near the river just outside Sudbury and Borage too. I wonder if they still do it after 31 years?

Morning Everyone,

Managed to be up early and have done three errands looking at bathroom stuff so next will be to pop to the shop on the way to have something to eat, probably Ullesthorpe Court. The children have broken up for their summer holidays here, but we don't see any there so it's less noisy!

It was pouring with rain when we set off and puddles everywhere on the roads, but it's stopped now. Not sure whether I will get a photo of the linseed. I hope it stays fine for your lavender visit AnnG.

Good luck at the dentist Mel.

Good morning all. dry so far 13 degrees but it doesn't look settles. And anyway the Lavender fields are over on the border of worcestershire near Broadway, slightly higher up than here so not necessarily the same weather, So fingers crossed. Being picked up at 0930.

Morning all,

Still dull and grey here this morning and raining. Pc says 15 degrees and mostly cloudy and its just changed to partly sunny!!

Lots to do today so I better get myself into gear. BBL

The actual; tooth broke in an arch from the bottom. It kept catching on the tooth below it on the bottom which is my own tooth. I am not really sure if they can do anything about it or it will just happen again.

That poor learner driver must have been so embaraced about hitting the lampost where he did. I hope it dos'nt put him off driving. Glad you got your geraniums Mandy. You used to be able to buy a smaller packet of Bisto to what they do now and that fitted nicely in one of my stoneware jars. Yes the price has gone up a lot.

Mum used to ladle the marmite on her toast too so your oh is'nt the only one. I had it on toast for lunch today. I also like Bovril on toast.

Enjoy your meeting tonight and the talk sounds interesting. Northumberland is a beautifl county. I aam sure he will have some wonderful slides to show you.

7.39pm The sun has just come out for the first time today as its been grey and raining all day.

Afternoon Everybody,

We were supposed to be up early today, but OH woke in the early hours with one of his headaches and took ibuprofen. We were both tired this morning, so got up late and didn't bother to do the errands we had planned. Maybe tomorrow!

It's been raining off and on most of today so I was glad we got all the washing dry and put away yesterday. I was stiff this morning and then remembered I did a short burst of weeding yesterday while OH cut back the brambles that were trying to come over the fence from the field. The pesky pigeon that almost demolished my plant was back doing the same again today. He soon gave up though as there is only one twig of it left now and that has a thick stem. He started flying over our garden and nextdoor's next and was returning with similar sized twigs so must be building another nest unless it is another pigeon.

Yes keep your leg rested so you can enjoy the lavender tomorrow AnnG. I hope you can get a few photos. I noticed a field of Linseed last time we ate out so am hoping to get a photo tomorrow. I've never seen it grown there before. You have done a great job sorting your drawers though so things can be moved down from the top cupboards. Those were good sized potatoes you have grown and straight from the garden they are always tastier.

Vera that was a shame about the lampshade and need to buy two replacement fittings. Perhaps you could just replace all the glass shades. It might be worth removing one of the other shades to take and see if there are others that would fit (and that you like). We have a single glass ceiling light in the porch that OH screwed on too tight and can't get off now (screwing things too tight is another thing he does). I think we will have to risk breaking it before long as it is collecting dead flies. :-S

OH loves marmite too, but I'm another who dislikes it. I used to add a teaspoon to gravy as it is good for you, but can't get used to it on toast. I like the Bisto Best gravy granules as they do the different meat flavours, but like Vera, mum always used just the meat juices with an oxo but thickened with cornflour.

Vera, I did tell him he wasn't going to look anything like me whatever he wore with his beard and bald head!! When I was first married I got Mrs Beeton's Cookbook with green shield stamps. I still have it but it's 55 years old and falling apart now. I remember there were pink S&H stamps too and I think I got some glasses using stamps I got at the Jet Garage. Your meeting tonight sounds interesting.

That's good you got your geraniums Mandy. What a shame and what a knock to your confidence for the poor learner driver hitting a lamp post with everyone looking on with it being a supermarket car park. They sometimes put bollards around things like that.

Mel I hope you soon get that tooth fixed when you go tomorrow. Does it just need sticking back on or did the actual tooth break?

I use meat juices or stock but I like Bisto to thicken and colour the gravy too. I’ve also found you can only get the small packs in most supermarkets and that works out expensive but the Co-op still sell the large one, and, Mandy, so do Roy’s.

Am I the only Marmite hater on here? OH is dreadful as he spreads it so thick. I don’t think most people who love the stuff could eat it the way he does.

I did lots of washing this morning and just managed to bring it all in as it started spotting with rain. Almost all of it was dry so I just have a couple of pairs of trousers and 2 jumpers that are still a bit damp. Beds got changed as well but I haven’t washed the bedding yet, that’s a job for tomorrow. I finished off my Tesco order and did some general tidying up but I haven’t done anything in the garden and now i’m feeling tired and the rain is still spit-spotting so I’m not going to bother today.

That poor learner Mandy. It’s enough to put anyone new off driving.If the post was thumped hard enough to make it lean, was the driver going too fast? Who was supervising him/her?

Is your OH going to be known as Mrs G from now on Annx? Will he need to don a dress and wig to use his new card, lol? I’m surprised more of my china and glassware isn’t chipped the way OH unloads the dishwasher. He never takes things out one at a time but tends to grab a handful of things so they all clatter together. Our “good” Royal Doulton china and Villeroy & Boch glasses only get used on very special occasions. If we used them more regularly I would be a jibbering nervous wreck. For everyday we are still using a load of glasses I got when we first married. They came from green shield stamps; remember them? They still look as good as new.

We have one of our Club meetings tonight. The speaker is one of our regulars and talks on his travels. He’s been pretty much everywhere but now he’s getting older he doesn’t want the hassle of air travel any more so is exploring Britain. Tonight he’s talking about Northumberland which is one of our favourite parts of the country, though we haven’t been for a few years. He’s a good photographer so always has a lot of slides to show. I’m looking forward to it.

I hope your aches are easing now Mel. Maybe you should take it easy for another day or two before tackling the next garden job. I hope your leg is more rested too AnnG. Enjoy your trip to the lavender place tomorrow.

It’s come over very dark and the air feels heavy. I think we might be in for a bit of St Swithin’s curse ;-)

They have got it I have just been into Asda again and put in gravy powder and it was the first thing on the list so I have got it thank goodness. Em will alsways order things for me if Asda has'nt got them which is good of her.

Shopping all done ,some poor leaner driver had hit a lamp post just as you turn into Tesco's they stood by the car with a policeman I suppose waiting for the electric people to come and see if it was safe to move the car as the lamp post was a bit on the lean .
Got the three Geraniums I wanted and there was still plenty left .

I use the Bisto powder to thicken my gravy as my mum use to use it too, it's shot up in price and you can't buy the bigger box any more only the little ones and they are now 2.60 .

Swithin was a man born in or around the year 800. He became Bishop of Winchester.

Unlike other religious figures, he asked not to be buried in a prominent place within Winchester Cathedral, but outside in a simple tomb "where the sweet rain of heaven may fall upon my grave".

The legend says after his remains were moved inside there was a great storm and it rained for many weeks after.

The old poem goes like this...

"St Swithin's Day, if it does rain

Full forty days, it will remain

St Swithin's Day, if it be fair

For forty days, t'will rain no more"

Here here Anng. Mum and nan always used it. Remember the bisto advert with the two Bisto kids?

good you have got an appointment Mel.

Tesco sell the Bisto powder I use it as I can't get on with the granules. Well I have been using the powder for over 63 years and my Mum before me so don't see why I should change. :-D

Meant to say its St Swithan's day today and Will's birthday so Happy Birthday Will have a lovely Day <3

Also guess what? its chucking it down here does this mean its forty days and forty nights of rain?

Got the dentist tomorrow to see to this tooth.

Morning all,

So we have more Marmite lovers.

Been raining here and pc says heavier rain later and 16 degrees.

Its a strange thing but Asda don't sell the Bisto gravy powder so I shall have to get some somewhere else as I like that to cook with in my mince and stews. I have the granuals too but they are not the same.

Hope they have some geraniums left for you Mandy.

Got up late again this morning and still ache from the gardening the day before so another rest today I think. I have loads of gnat bites so think it an antihystamin each morning for a while.

Forgot to say I like marmite as well.