General Chat

Love the pic Mel :-D :-D

Frank ,how lovely that Conrad has rescued a little dog:-) Good Man :-) Bet you can't wait to see it now. It wont be long before you are there . You will be away at the same time as me.

So Gill it looks like things are still going to carry on next door. I think your new neighbours chose a really bad builder :-S. I just hope for their sakes now that they can get things finished as soon as possible ... and for your sake too.

Easter Eggs :-D. We dont buy eachother Eggs these days. I have to say I was very tempted in Tesco with all big eggs half price. There is something nice though about a lovely Easter Egg. I have a memory from Childhood about Easter Eggs and I must have been about 5.My Uncle Bill sent me one with Iced flowers stuck all around the egg. Violets and Primroses.It was so pretty.It is the only one I can really remember.
I have been known to buy my own :-D
My hip has been so painful today .It woke me in the night and hasn't let up all day :-S. I am dosed up to the eyeballs with painkillers now .

AnnG send me your birthday date(and address) I will send mine.I just hope I have everyone elses on my calander.!

Evening Everyone,

A glorious sunny day here too. I like it this time of the year as it isn't too hot for me.

My word what busy bees you have all been getting your jobs all done and putting me to shame. I seem to have done nothing today, well apart from clear the fridge out as it's rubbish bin day tomorrow.

We chatted to the neighbours who were outside when we got home after our trip to the bank and heard that the new gate across the close at the end, that was finally fitted a few days ago, has already been bent by a large van and won't close now! Apparently the van was dented all along the side. The road is even narrower with the gate there. I hope it is insured, as it will cost a bit to put it right. The neighbours also said the Indian lady who lives at the new house behind the gate couldn't get through the gate to her house yesterday. There are buzzers that operate from boxes on the gate to the 3 properties, but her husband had fallen asleep and couldn't hear her buzzing so didn't let her in!!! We also heard sad news that the chap the ambulance came to a couple of weeks ago in the new bungalow next door but one died last Tuesday. It's where the special needs boy that walks the Bengal cat lives. It seems he had cancer, he was only just age 50 last month. We'd only ever seen him drive by.

Fingers crossed the builders get the job finished quickly now Gill. I think they will want to get done in case anything else happens.

Vera and AnnG please PM me with your birthdays and address and I will exchange with mine. It is nice to receive cards from each other. :-)

I hope the painkillers are working and that you have a better night tonight Jane.

I did a silly thing yesterday. I grabbed my handbag and camera to get out of the car, opened the door and made to get out quick before the door was in the way of any passing traffic. Well, I seemed to be stuck to the seat and couldn't move and thought my bag strap or camera strap were hooked up on something at first. I only still had my seatbelt fastened didn't I. Fancy trying to do that!! lol.

O gosh I did laugh Ann at being stuck in your seat. I thought you were going to say your bag strap ws hooked over the handbrake. Iv'e done that and wondered why it would'nt come out when I pulled it.

I was out in the garden this afternoon and I dug out the huge brimble out of the acers by the puddle pond. It had grown right between the two of them in with the hostas underneath. I did knock one shoot off one of the hosta but the thig was so big with two fat bracnches which grew last year and when I eventually got it out it had five new red shoots about an inch long all around so I am really pleased its gone now. The bed is filled with ericasous compost so I knew it should be easy to dig with my two forked fork but I had to put a piece of wood down and two pavers one on top of the other to get any leverage and then scrape around with my hand and get the secs down and cut the roots off. I was very pleased with myself when I threw it on the barrow.

Hope you feel better in the norning Gill and do as Vera said and have a word with your doctor about the migraines.

Hope Frank sleeps well after his hard work today, he should.

I still hav'nt seen the last of Baptist or Victoria and I am half way through the last of Traitors so Iam signing out now and going too watch the last of it before bed.

Night all.

Morning all

Cloudy here today and not very warm, it was so nice yesterday to. OH wanted to cut the grass today, not sure if he'll do it now.

Love the picture Mel, what a wonderful one of the birds in flight. It sounds like you were very busy yesterday, I had a lazy day watching films with Sandra, I record one a day and they were mounting up so we settled down and enjoyed them while OH was at his mates. It was nice to have some girly time just Sandra and I. OH isn't to keen on the type of films we like, chic flicks he calls them. :-)

So you're off to Spain again Frank, good idea to have wheel chairs at the air ports, like you said there a lot of walking, this way you can sit down and also be one of the first ones on the plane. You did lots of work yesterday, pity about the greenhouse glass though, I wonder how you managed to make the same mistake twice. Have you written the correct measurements down now? You don't want to make it three mistakes in a row.

What a shame you don't have an Easter Egg AnnG, mind you OH and I probably wouldn't have any if it wasn't for us buying a couple for Sandra. Maybe you could treat yourself to one this year, it's nice to have treats every now and then.

Funny you should mention going to the doctors about my migraines Vera, I was thinking the same thing yesterday. I think mine are brought on by stress, I had a really bad week last week so that didn't help. I can't take co-codamol as I have a reaction to it, the same goes for most strong painkillers, but maybe the doctor might be able to prescribe something I can take, when I get them I can't see properly and I feel sick and dizzy, sometimes they are so bad I'm actually sick. I can't take any noise and have to be in a dark room, even one small table lamp is to much light. I've been having them a lot lately, but put it down to all the work being done next door and the stress it's caused, so maybe it's time to have them checked out as they may not even be migraines, but something else. Sorry to hear your migraine put you in hospital for 5 days, that must of been scary.

How is your hip today Jane? I hope it's not painful anymore and the painkillers worked. OH picked up six Easter Eggs when he noticed them on offer in Tesco's, like I've said we don't have treats very often so it's nice to have something to look forward to. I'm surprised we haven't had one already, as they are so tempting sitting there on the dining room table ;-) ;-) The Easter egg off your uncle sounded really pretty I'm not surprised you remember it. I've seen eggs similar to it and it's such a shame to eat them. I think they are like little pieces of art.

So the new gate is no good now it's broken Ann, that's going to be a nuisance for the people who live behind it. I still don't understand why it was put in but I suppose they had their reasons. Oh dear trying to get out the car while you still had your seat belt on, I know I shouldn't but I did have a smile when you told us. I hope you didn't jar yourself and you are okay. Mind you it's easily done, I've done it myself and I'm sure others have to. Sorry to hear about your neighbour, 50 is such a young age. What's going to happen to the special needs boy now? Does he have someone else to look after him. I found out last week that my cousin has Cancer, he is 51, he was born with a hole in his heart and has had operations his whole life and now this, it's in his throat and going over his windpipe, so not a good place for it to be. Like I said we had a really bad week last week.

I've finished my antibiotics this morning but had sweet and sour chicken and boiled rice last night, I bit on a piece of hard carrot and now my mouth is sore again. I hope it doesn't flare back up and the pain goes soon. I've just taken a painkiller so hopefully that'll work.

You've just reminded me Mel, I've still got Victoria on my planner so I'll watch that now. I've also got Gardeners World to watch to. The sun's come out now so OH is going to cut our lawns as he doesn't like Victoria, neither does Sandra so while she's asleep and it's quiet I'll watch it on my own, then watch Gardeners World straight after it. Knowing my luck the workmen will turn up and start making a load of noise, they came yesterday around lunch time, there were 4 or 5 vans out there including the boss and a pile of rubbish (cardboard from the kitchen units) was put in the skip. So at least they are carrying on with some of the work. At least it's quiet at the moment.

Meant to say I haven't had the error page for a few days, let's hope it stays that way and I haven't jinxed it now.

Morning Gill and all,

No I hav'nt had the error page either its so nice to just get on here when you want to and not have to faff about clicking on everything and waiting ages for it to load.

We have sunshine and blue skies and it looks to be another nice day. Shopping today and I have todo the both shops so hope to get out earlier so I can get back and maybe do something in the garden if I'm not too tired.

Gill you should see the doc about your migraines as there are special meds for them now. My Aunty Joy has some kind of special stuff as she has suffered with really bad headaches for years now. We will all get on at you again to go you know that don't you. It worked with the dentists, now go to the docs.

Good morning all. sitting here waiting for a new washing machine to be delivered. Of course we needed to get up early as OH had to take out the old machine ready for them to take away. It is a bit stressful as all the new machines are a few MM wider than the old ones (which were pre metric sizes, or some of them were). the space for the machine is wide enough but the new sink that was put in last year has a bowl that is wider than the old bowl, we didn't realise when the plumber put it in but it is further into the gap for the machine by a few MM hence the concern. It could involve a plumber and maybe a new sink. :-( :-( :-( Anyway the sun is in and out, more cloud today than yesterday which was beautiful with blue skies so OH is out in the garden.

Enjoy the peace Gill. I find I can't watch TV in the daytime, I am always thinking of other things I could be doing (not housework, just other things I like doing like making cards, being on here etc). Maybe the builders are clearing up all the cardboard and other bits ready for the skip to go. You can only hope.
We may buy ourselves some chocolate, we do buy a bar of Bournville a week and have two squares each every evening, otherwise try not to eat too much chocolate as we both have a need to keep our sugar level down.

Annx I have done that with the seat belt (as passenger) and OH did it the other day (as driver). You do feel silly don't you? :-D :-D

Good morning to you all,

Yesterday afternoon, when I had finished in the garden I got chips done. So we had cold beef chips and Ros had coleslaw and I had Branston Pickle. Before that I had a nice shower and shave, and decided I was going to watch the football at the pub, and have a couple of pints (I had earnt it.) I walked down to the pub with my touch as company.It as quite dark at 7.30 last night. There were only FIVE lads there including the barman. So there we sat chatting and drinking, and watching the football. Nice evening . Ros picked me up when I rang her. Slept well and didn't wake until 9.00 am which is a change for me. Eos was in the kitchen making the tea, again a nice change.

It's my intention today to plant some seeds in the veg plot. I have told Ros to get some Parsnips seeds and see if there are any Brussel plants in the garden centre.
Michael, at the pub. is going to drop of some cabbage plants off to me, that he has coming on. They can go in as and when I get them. I might also be able to put her BEAN STICKS in. I hope I do that right, as she has her way of doing things. On SECOND THOUGHTS I will leave them, as they are bound to be wrong. Then if I feel like it, I might give the lawns a trim.

I have already bought the bins in and BLEACHED the food caddy. That's sitting waiting to be washed out ,and I will put a newspaper in the bottom for any moisture that leaks from the bags. I the that job. !!!!

Simon rang this morning. The gearbox in his narrow boat is going to cost around £1,500.00. So he said he will have to dig into his savings. (LUCKY TO HAVE ANY) lol

We will e flying into the new Murcia airport. It's about another half an hour drive for Conrad, but still closer than Alacanti.

Trust me to get everything WRONG. Jan is coming up to Kerry's on Friday, and will be coming over to pick Ros up, to go shopping on Saturday. Ros has the children Easter Eggs already, so will give them to Jan to give to them.

Another beautiful morning, even though there is a chill in the air. I expect that will burn of as the sun gets warmer.

Hope everybody is getting over your ailments/pains/headaches. Have I missed anything ?? lol lol

Bye for now. xxxx

I decided not to watch the TV in the end, I didn't really feel like it and the programmes aren't going anywhere. I was doing a bit more of my family tree and having a look around the Internet when I came across this and thought of you Ann.

"Sometimes I shock myself with the smart things I say and do
Then there are times when I try to get out of the car with my seat belt on" . :-D :-D :-D


Sorry, but I had to show you lol.

That's a lot of money Frank for the gear box, good job he has savings. I see you had a good nights sleep and a nice time out with the lads last night. Maybe the walk and fresh air helped you sleep.

Has your washing machine arrived yet AnnG? I'll keep my fingers crossed it fits in the gap and you don't need a plumber. Go on treat yourselves to an Easter egg, it's only once a year ;-) ;-) Maybe you could share one if you both need to keep an eye on your sugar levels.

OH has just been chatting with the neighbour across the road, who used to be a police detective, his son is in the police force so he's going to ask him if he can find out what's going on, as the police didn't go over to him either. We all think it's very strange. Apparently the new neighbour Kevin, was talking with the neighbour across the road and told him that the workmen all used one key between them, which was hidden somewhere by the front door, but on the night of the fire the kitchen fitter, who had been working there in the evenings, took the key home as he thought it was unsafe to leave it in the garden. I hope he's not to blame for the fire, or being blamed for it if he didn't do it. The neighbour over the road said what happened would be classed as endangering lives or even attempted murder. If the fire did take hold the place would of blown up with the gas being connected, the property attached and our property would have been blown up as well, so we're all very very lucky. We're just waiting to hear what the neighbours son can find out as we all think it's very strange the police didn't want to talk to any of us. I really wish they'd hurry up and finish the job, it's becoming quite scary living here at the moment.

If the key was left somewhere by the front door anyone could have seen what went on and found the key. Also any one of the workmen could have had another key cut. I hope they have had the locks changed now back and front.

We have been to Hatherleigh this morning for petrol for the mowers as oh said he had about an egg cup full in each mower. They are both the ride on ones.

My Magnollia is now at its best and the Forsythia and the Camelias too and even the Japonica has bright red flowers on it. Its a wonder the deer hav'nt eaten the flowers on that.

I had two hogs in the feeding ring last night just before I went to bed. My tablet ran out of battery so I was peering out the back door and spotted one there and then another came and joned it and we had a bit of push and shove with huffs and puffs so I now know that I have at least two that have survived the winter somewhere in the garden. I have only been feeding dried food so I may start on the tin stuff tonight too.

Well all my good intentions went out of the window. I felt so STIFF in my shoulder this morning, I decided not to aggravate it, by doing any work today. So I have been sitting reading. I have got a chicken casserole ready for the oven. I can't do the potatoes as we have run out. Ros will bring some home from shopping, I have also prepared everything for a leek pie tomorrow.

You can't be without petrol Mel, with all the mowing your OH does. lol. When I had a petrol mower, I always had a spare can of petrol in the garage, so never run out.

I am being pestered by a women that keeps popping up in my JUNK MAIL. I keep deleting her messages, BUT how the hell she got my email address I just don't know. Is there anywhere I can report this, as I am getting fed up to my high teeth with it. !!!

A few weeks ago Ros was searching for a drawing pin. Carolyn bought her a few round. I have just been going through a pot of JUNK in the conservatory and found a plastic pot full of them, together with two box's of them. She has enough now to last a life time. lol lol

Oh how nice it is, sitting in the sun in the conservatory. I have been out there with my book, the only trouble is my eyes keep wanting to shut. I don't really want to drop of now, as I won't sleep tonight, so I am going down the garden to get some fresh air. ;-) ;-) ;-).

Afternoon All,

It was dull here earlier, but now we have sunshine. :-D

I had a chuckle at that quote Gill......no wonder it made you think of me. :-D :-D

I was surprised the police didn't seem interested as well Gill as someone I knew of set fire to his house and because it was a semi-detached they said he could have caused the neighbour to be injured or killed. He got a prison sentence for arson. It sounds as if it would be very easy for anyone taking the key home to get it copied. It's a mystery isn't it, but someone had a reason for doing it. Your migraines sound like the ones I used to get as the florescent lights at work would drive me mad. I think stress and lack of sleep and hormones mostly caused mine, as once I retired and went through the menopause they almost stopped. The last one I had 3 years ago was one without a headache that caused a temporary vision problem. The doctor thought it may be a stroke and sent me to hospital to be checked out. It was the hospital that told me it was another kind of Migraine. OH has always had migraines too, but for many years he hasn't had a headache with them, he gets zig zags of light in his vision instead and has to lie down for a while. We have both taken Migraleve you get from the chemist over the years and found them to stop the worst symptoms if you take them as soon as you have one coming on. You start with 2 pink tablets and then take the yellow ones if symptoms persist, but we found the pink ones were enough.

That was very sad news about your cousin too. The special needs boy is a lovely boy and always smiles and waves when you see him or says hello. It will be just he and his mum at the bungalow now. We think he has a little job as he goes off on his bike somewhere most evenings. Sainsbury's is only just over half a mile away and there is a cycle path all the way so we wonder if he perhaps does something like replenishing the shelves? We don't know exactly what his disability is.

You had a lovely day yesterday Frank rounded off with the trip to the pub and are getting on well with the garden. We haven't done a thing in ours yet, but need to soon as some of the weeds are starting to flower! I noticed all kinds of veg plants for sale plus tomato plants in our old Wyvale store today, but it's a bit early to put things like beans outside.

How nice that the hogs are back Mel. Now they know your cafe is open again they wil be bringing their mates! That pic of the longtailed tit was so good, you did well to get it! I have tried times but they have always been too quick for me. :-)

AnnG I hope you are lucky with getting your new washer in the gap. We had similar trouble with our new fridge freezer and there was only just room. You get everything fitting nicely around your appliances, then when you change them, they have changed the sizes!

Vera that was a nasty migraine to put you in hospital for 5 days! It must have been a relief to know it was a migraine rather than the alternative though. I'm like Jane with trouser length. I find cropped trousers are full length on me! LOL. I think M&S seem to stock mostly the 'average' lengths which doesn't help those of us at either end of the scale!

Washing machine delivery van was here by 2.50 and gone by 305 after loading and unloading machines. And..... It is now in the space with roughly 2mm to spare, so close, but it is in there. Phew!

That's good news that your washing machine fitted into the space AnnG We had the same concerns when ordering a new cooker that's the downside of fitted kitchens.

Haven't read any other posts yet but hope to be back later

That's good news then AnnG. :-D I can just imagine you holding your breath when it was being slid into position.

I have just pruned the rest of the height of the Bottle Brush down to 6 foot so it is even across the top now. I had to leave it part done last year as I hurt my back doing it. I also did the tiny Red Robin that only grows a couple of feet high as it was crawling over the footpath. There's lots more to prune but a little each day will get it done. OH has piled all the plastic sacks of garden rubbish down the side of the bungalow ready for a trip to the tip tomorrow. I also went through one of the food drawers in the kitchen and chucked out some very old things! The time seems to pass so quickly judging by the dates on things!

Afternoon All

Gill if your gum doesn't settle now you have finished the antibiotics do keep an eye on it.Sometimes after a realy nasty abscess like you had it make take another course of pills.You just dont want to risk it flaring up again.

It all sounds very odd that the Police are not interested in trying to find out who set that fire.Something as serious as that you wouldhave thought that they would at least be doing house to house enquiries. I am not suprised that you are getting so many bad heads at the moment. You have had so much stress for ages now . I am sorry to hear about your Cousin .He is so young. And Ann's neighbour too passing away and having a young son.Hopefully there is a Mum there for him.Hopefully he will still be able ot enjoy walking his Bengal Cat.

Mel I bet you get through a fair amount of petrol .Are you all topped up again now?You could do with your own petrol pump :-D

When I was a Nanny in Cornwall and worked at the BIG House I had a car provided and they had their own pump .I would just fill the tank whenever I needed :-D It was great :-D I made sure I made the most of it(especially when I was going home for the weekend and out gadding about :-D).I dont think I ever had to give an account of how much petrol I used .That was a good perk of the job.About the only one too!.

Frank,I bet Simon had a bit of a gulp finding out the cost of the new gearbox for the boat !!!!. Its a fair old whack isnt it. But he cant be without one . Does he know how long it will take to install?

My hip was feeling a lot easier this morning so I have been on step ladder cleaning the big bay windows and the UVPCin the study Now I can harldy move LOL Still it was a job desperately in need of doing and as Chris was out for lunch I got him to pull out the heavy desk and got it done while he was out. My word the difference!!!!!! It all looks really white now and the windows gleaming :-D The skirting board and radiator under the windows are clean and dust free too.The COBWEBS!
So I have actually had a whole day at home today . Not even a quick trip to Tesco :-D


Ann what a silly old moo you are :-D (was that a saying of Alf Garnet?) not undoing your safety belt.You must have been putting quite an effort into trying to get out of the car !!!!! I remember Fitz doing that once . I was driving and he was in the front passenger seat. I just thought he was struggling because of his hip and back etc so was trying to help by pushing him from behind whilst he was trying to haul himself out by hanging onto the door frame.It was then that I noticed he was still buckled in :-S :-S So the new electric gates are really mucked up now after being bashed by the van. I can see that one causing all sorts of fun and games. :-D It seemed a crazy idea in the first place. Ideas of grandeur maybe?

I am not sure that I will be that hungry this evening. Chris had lunch out and I remembered that there were 2 Runny Egg Scotch eggs in the fridge.I heated them up and had both!!!. Miss Piggy I hear you all say. You are right :-D. They were blomming delicious though.

Back again. I just read you now are all plumbed in AnnG with the new washing machine :-D. That was so lucky it fitted in . So all up and running now :-D

I hope your knees held out in the garden today Ann and they wont give you gip later.
I get so cheesed off these days with lots of fresh foods not having dates on. It means I have to do a lot more prodding of the packs just to check things are still good and firm.
Finding grotty slimy things especially in the salad drawer is just so gross. Asparagus is one veg I really check before I buy as if there are any tips that look a bit wet and soft then they go back on the shelf .Asparagus Tips smell really fishy once one tip has gone over.

I think Thomas has found a source of food somewhere .It has to be rabbits. As he is gone all day these days and has not touched any of his own food for 2 days.Not even his cat milk. I have stopped putting wet food down now during the daytime. He hopped over the neighbours fence just now and I thought he was going to come in but no ,off he has gone again.

That naughty Thomas probably likes his meat blood heat!!!

Jane I have never had a runny scotch egg.

Anning so glad there was'nt any trouble getting the new washing machine in by the skin of its teeth. Lets just hope it dos'nt have an uneven load when someone is at the sink. Have you tried it yet? I hate having to get used to new kitchen things like cookers and washing machines.

So much for going early again. I got stuck behind a flat back small lorry just up the road when I turn off about half a mile away from home. I thought I would go to Lild first and I was behind that truck all the way into Bideford and even up towards Lidl where it turned off the road just before Lidl about 25 yards before on the right.

Frank your right about the petrol for the mower we came home £54 lighter with two nice big tanks.

Not tried it yet Mel, I decided to wait until tomorrow as I didn’t want to be supervising the tumble drier all evening.

Wow Jane those sculptures are amazing. I like the first one and the big silver globdule second from last. The pigs were good too in fact they are all good but it makes you wonder where they are made and by whome.