General Chat

Mel is there a known reason why they eat their eggs? Are they maybe a bit more unsettled than you at first thought or is it just they know they lack grit?
Lovely to be able to see Dartmoor and Exmoor. I don't know Exmoor but I love Dartmoor.

Jane not more spicy burgers then?
Yes I think the steam train does go to Broadway now, I have a feeling that is fairly new, that they extended it.
Don't knock the early date our daughter's new OH had his hip op just after she met him and he had been waiting a couple of years. You will not be immobilised for long, they like to get you moving. I seem to remember he had the op in February and by June he was in Spain with us and not using a stick and walking quite a distance.

Afternoon

I bet you were surprised to get that phone call Jane. I would have been all of a dither too but it will be a good job done. Everyone I know who has had a hip replacement has been very happy with the outcome and, once you’re fully recovered, you should be free of pain.

Lovely to have a birthday lunch to look forward to. I hope Janice enjoys her 60th birthday surprise.

It’s been a brighter day here but there is still a bitter cold wind.

On Thursday and Saturday, market days in town, any of our friends who are around pops into Wetherspoons for coffee. It’s not the best coffee but they can accommodate a big group better than the other cafes. Our “gang” can be anything between 2 or 3 people and around 14 of us. The ladies sit at one table and the men at another. This morning there were 6 ladies and 2 men. I often think we will run out of things to chat about as we all meet at other clubs as well but somehow we always seem to have plenty to say.

While we were in town we saw that our only electrical shop had closed. Every time a shop closes it reopens a bit later as a coffee shop or charity shop. That’s all we will have left soon.

Frank, I’m not much of a sleeper either and do nearly all my reading in the middle of the night, mostly between about 2 am and 5 am. Then of course I want to go to sleep when it is time to get up :-(

I wonder why your girls are having a go at their eggs Mel. Do you think they are a bit unsettled and just need time to get used to their new house?

I also hope Gill and family are all OK. Fingers crossed that she is just too busy to post today.

It has suddenly come over very dark outside. Time for a cuppa I think.

Crikey Jane, that would have been a shock so soon after the other phone call. :-0 So it's nearer the end of May now. Do they still have to confirm a date? You've got me wondering if my knee might be quicker than I expect too once I see the surgeon in June. Time to start sorting me some baggy trousers with room for knee dressings methinks. Will you need baggy pants for your hip ? lol. I have plenty of those. :-) At least you can enjoy your holiday before they do it. You are lucky with Chris as OH doesn't possess a chef's hat! I thought about freezing stuff ahead as well and ready meals are fine for a while as you say.

AnnG fancy seeing all that snow and having flooding at the side of your roads. We have had some heavy rain today but it has stopped now. Yes we usually have our main meal at lunchtime since OH retired. It wasn't possible before that, but it suits OH too as he has acid reflux, so lying in bed after a heavy evening meal isn't wise! I had panic attacks with a racing heart that have woken me in the night and off to A&E over a decade ago and can be triggered by a large meal, so that was reason enough not to eat much in the evening, especially as panic attacks make you feel very nauseous! Then from being involved in Diabetes Research at one of our city hospitals, I learned that just standing or moving about after meals moves the glucose out of the bloodstream into your muscles which is a safer than in your blood where it circulates and can do damage. That seemed another reason to not eat much in the evening when you just sit or go to bed soon after. As we mostly eat out, most days mooch about somewhere after like a garden centre for a short while,
which is good.

Sorry you had a bad night Frank. I find even if I am tired when I go to bed, it doesn't always mean I'll sleep. It sounds like you have some good books on the tablet though, so a nice rest and read will be good today. Those woollen rugs Ros is doing sound interesting. Are they knitted, or done with a hook on a canvas back? We usually have one of those big soups in the cupboard too as they are good to fall back on and are quite filling.

You are right about the hailstorms spoiling the tender new shoots Mel. They never look as good after. I wonder if the hens will stop eating the eggs now they have plenty of new grit? Maybe it is the shells they wanted and got a taste for the egg as well. Hopefully they aren't copying each other now. Do people still clip their beaks to stop them doing it? I see you saw some snow too today. Your church must have great views to see that far.

No Gill yet, I hope she's ok and not feeling worse with her bad throat.

I think they are missing their old shelter as oh has'nt put one in the new run as its smaller than the old one and he dos'nt want the grass too covered. The old shelter has rotted away one side. It was the top to the barrow I used to put all the veg on from the garden when we sold it outside the front gate on the village hall carpark. I wish I could find the photo of the barrow outside all loaded up with our lovely fresh veg we grew years ago.

I am wondering if this new house is lighter inside but I have lovely black curtains on the nest box made out of butyl pond liner the cut off from when oh did his pond after the leak we had and he made it deeper. Its got that on the new house roof too.

I had soup for lunch when I came back and now I am so thirsty I shall have to make a drink but first corn the chickens. Forgot to say I had two bantam eggs this week. One was in the nest box and one in their run which made me look in the nest box where I found the one laid earlier.

That makes sense then AnnG if the steam train goes to Broadway.My Sister has no idea what is planned for Sunday. Then Good Friday Larry is taking her to London for 2 nights. He has booked her in for a Weaving lesson somewhere (Janice has always wanted to learn this) .A nice meal out and then Mama Mia at the theatre. Again she doesn't know any of this.She is going to have one great 60th :-D :-D.

Vera I was quite taken aback with the speed of things re Hip Op. I really was not expecting to hear anything for months yet. Janice says she has a raised toilet seat thing with a lid that she had when she had her knee done so I can have that .How exciting !! even a perching stool for the kitchen . :-D

We have a Wetherspoons here Vera and it seems a good meeting place.It nice you have there to meet up with friends. It is cheap and cheerful too. Our town ike yours seems to have less shops now that are still going.It is quite depressing . We don't even have a decent Market Day now. Just a few sad looking stalls on a Friday.
When we first moved here back in 1985 there there was the Cattle Market and a good General Market .I never liked to see the Cattle Market .That is now one of these Retail Parks. Small Town Centres just seem to be becoming such depressing places now and it is no wonder people go and do their shopping in these new out of town shopping places.Like here it is the new Rushden Lakes .I am finding myself going more often now .

I am a reader in the early hours. If I get up for the loo I have a look at the news on my mobile phone and then have a read on my kindle. I really should just get back into bed and get back to sleep . But once I am awake I am awake :-S. I often drop off between 4 and 5(maybe 6) . I was watching MotherFatherSon at 6 this morning on my laptop.

Mel I hope your girls stop eating their eggs .I wonder what makes them do that.

Two more eggs NOT BROKEN< hooray!! :-) :-) :-) :-)

Forgot to put my hat on and it hailed again whilst I was out.

Gosh Jane that was quick with an appointment for your knee but better if you can have it done after your holiday. It sounds like Janice is going to have a great day on her 60th with all that going on she will be worn out for the rest of the week.

My BIL had both his hips done and was ok with both of them. One one year and the other a year and a bit later. Has'nt Mandy's Colin had a hip done or was that a knee? I can't remember. I think I will now make that drink and then do some ironing as the pile is quite high again............. :-(

Evening all

It's been raining here and very cold with the wind. The garden isn't liking it to much.

OH and I are still feeling under the weather, I seem to be sleeping quite a lot. Unfortunately the abscess hasn't fully gone, but with already having two lots of antibiotics I don't think I'll be able to have anymore. I had a terrible migraine yesterday so ended up having an early night. Poor OH can't hear properly or taste anything with the cold he has, he tried some Optrex but it didn't really do any good. So all in all we're both not feeling brilliant today.

Both OH and I have had our flu jabs Ann, but thanks for mentioning it. I think with all the work next door we're both feeling a bit stressed and maybe rundown. The decorators finished today and I think the insurance people were taking a look at the kitchen, so hopefully it won't be to much longer before it's all finished. Although the new drive should of been started yesterday and the skip is still there so we don't know how long that's going to be now. The lights were left on last night then went off around 10.30pm we're constantly keeping an eye on the place since the fire, so like I said it's a bit stressful.

Thank you Frank for your kind offer of the snowdrops, I'm really looking forward to planting them up. You are so kind. Sorry to hear you're not feeling very well, I hope it wasn't a mini stroke, have you seen the doctor about it? Hope you feel better soon and it's nothing serious. Good news on your travel insurance, I'm glad it's all sorted for you now and one less thing to think about. Sorry to hear about Ros's experience at the hospital, I hope the test results are good for her.

That was quick for your hip op Jane, good idea to wait though until after your holiday. You had a lot of hail, I hope your pot plants weren't damaged.

I'm sorry I haven't caught up with all the posts and hope everyone is okay, I'll try and read a few more tomorrow. Thank you everyone for your kind words for OH and I, hopefully we'll start feeling better soon.

Evening all,

Well that good news Jane ,you'll soon be pain free, yes Mel Colin has had three new hips :-D
Yes you'll need a raised toilet seat and raisers for your chair and bed Jane and you might find one of those Leg lifters handy too ,they are like a dog lead you pop your foot into the end bit pull tight and then it makes it easier to lift your leg into bed
It sounds as if Janice is going to have a lovely birthday to remember for her 60th :-D
That was one heck of a hail storm .

We seem to have been on the go all day ,we went to Homebase this morning to get some new Curtain poles and they had 20% off so we saved a good bit on them.
This afternoon we both had our check up at the dentist and both got clean bill of health there ,next check up in October ,we then went to Lidl's for some bits ,plus i have been hunting for presents for DIL's birthday on Saturday ,i bought her a new dressing gown and a lovely pair of pretty Sandals for the summer we usually give her some money too.
Son seems to like his new job ,he stated on Monday and he says he's never seen so many keys ,they seem to have to lock every thing ,even all the lap tops and tablets are all locked into place .

It's lovely and sunny out now ,it has been a day of sun shine and just a few showers but it's been really chilly out .

Oh Gill i see your both feeling under the weather still i do hope you both feel better soon ,i bet Sandra is looking after you bless her .

Good evening all

Jane that was a lot of hail you had, we only had a small amount.


In the RG12 area we lost TV, Internet and phone services all with Virgin media it was off for about 8 hours so I haven't been able to catch up on the posts yet.
Ruby wasn't at all well yesterday with diarrhea and sickness it was quite worrying so we took her to our vet who gave her an injection and prescribed antibiotics which we had the usual struggle getting her to take them. She seems much better today thank goodness .I spent all of yesterday cleaning up after her.

O poor Ruby and you Anne having to clean up her mess. She only went to the vets the other day and had a clean bill of health. I wonder if she picked up a germ at the vets? I hope she is fully recovered tomorrow. Give her a special {{{hug}}} from aunty Mel and a big X. <3

Showers all evening.

Gill its good to hear from you but not good you are both still under the weather. I was told by a lady in the chemist the last time I went for my scripts that beetroot is good for migraine so you better put it on the shopping list and eat it regularly. I sometimes think the weather dos'nt help with headaches and I always used to get one if there was thunder about.

Morning all

Raining again today, we've just had a horrible start to the day, a pigeon flew into our living room window and died, I was in tears helping OH clear it away, there was blood everywhere and it took a few minutes for it to die. I've cleaned the window as we don't want Sandra to know about it and all the blood has been washed away, OH has put the bird in a bag in the bin, which will go on Monday. I'm still a bit shocked and wished there was something we could of done for it. At least it was quick and it didn't suffer to much, OH thinks it broke it's neck. It's so sad, I hate seeing wildlife hurt like that.

It's so cold again today, they were saying on the news last night that winter is back and we had such a lovely February. Luckily all my plants are still okay, even my Tulips, which I'm surprised about with all the wind we had the other day, I've noticed new shoots on my Pieris's, lovely little splashes of red on the tips.

I didn't know about Beetroot Mel, we have some in so I will eat some later, I love Beetroot and if it stops my migraines I'll be a happy woman. Thank you. Sorry to hear your girls have been eating their eggs, I hope they stop soon, maybe it's because they're not quite settled in their new home yet.

Was it the weather that caused your services to go off Anne, 8 hours is a long time? I'm so sorry to hear about Ruby, I hope she's feeling a bit better today, give her a cuddle from Sandra and I <3

That was lucky having 20% off at Homebase Mandy, that's the type of shopping we'd all like. The presents you bought for your DIL sound really nice. What job has your son got that requires everything to be locked up? I've never heard of laptops being locked with keys before, are they all on a chain? Pleased to hear you had a clean bill of health at the dentist.

My gum is starting to feel a bit better now and has calmed right down so maybe the antibiotics worked after all, time will tell I suppose. OH and I are starting to feel a little better although OH is still a little clogged up with his blocked ears and nose, hopefully it'll pass soon, our throats aren't feeling to bad today as well. Yes, Sandra has been really good and gives us cuddles to make us feel better, she has been brilliant helping around the place as much as she can, which is a great help and she's watched her programmes quietly when we've had a little sleep, we've been having quite a lot of naps, having an hour here and there during the day. I must admit having the extra bit of sleep is really helping and keeping the headaches away which is good. I've never felt so tired, thankfully I feel a little more human today and hopefully OH will feel the same soon. I just hope Sandra doesn't catch this bug as it's not very nice.

I wish we had a market around here Vera, we had one when we lived in Ellesmere Port and I do miss it, we still go there occasionally as that's where MIL lives, but it would be nice to have one closer. There is a small one in Neston about a mile away but it's mainly food and not very big, plus a lot of it is outside which isn't ideal when the weather is cold and horrible. We are the same as you here, we have lots of coffee shops and cafe's and of course the Charity shops, apart from them there really isn't much in the village. If we want to do proper shopping as I call it, we have to go to Birkenhead or Liverpool, both places we're not to keen on and OH hates driving there to. He'll drive to Birkenhead at a push, but not Liverpool anymore, as it's crazy with all the traffic.

How nice to have a 60th birthday for Janice Jane, it'll be a lovely surprise for her to see you there. Those accidents didn't sound good at all, I hope no one was hurt, do you think it was the hail that caused them? It looked pretty bad on the video you sent.

Catching up on the posts I noticed you mentioned your strawberries Mel and it's reminded me I still haven't done Sandra's yet, I like to tidy them up and pop them in the greenhouse away from the birds. It's stopped raining so I'll go and do them now before I forget again. I must also remember to test the smoke alarm it hasn't been done for a while, I noticed a red light flashing on it last night so I'd better make sure the battery is still working as our smoke alarm isn't connected to the electric.

Morning Gill and Al,

Not very nice here today as we have grey skies and not even a hintof sunshine. The one plus is there is'nt so much wind today but that xould come up if the tide turns.

O a day with nothing planned.......bliss I can do just what I like when I like and not have to go out for anything. I feel as though I hav'nt had a day to myself for weeks with all the appointments etc.

In Morrisons the other day I spied some Easter Lambs in black and white. I had to buy some and am going to make Em next door a garland with them.

Just realised I wrote this and did'nt post it!

It's nice to have a day to yourself Mel, you can make the garland for Em now.

I've just finished putting all Sandra's strawberries in the greenhouse, we had to move a few things around and take two tables out to make room for the shelving stand we put her plants on, so it's all done now. There were quite a few brown leaves on them so they've been cut off and thrown away, they didn't need watering with all the rain we've had lately so that's a job for another day.

The wind has died down a bit now and it feels a bit warmer, I even had to take my coat off in the greenhouse, so the plants in there should do okay if the weather turns colder later.

Going to watch some films with Sandra now, I record one a day off Channel 5 and we haven't watched any for a while so they're mounting up and filling the planner.

Afternoon all, Bitter cold wind here, I had to go out to open the gate for "GREEN THUMB" to do the spring treatment. I don't know about SPRING. It feels more like winter.

So a new HIP for you Jane. This is what happens when you get OLD. ;-) ;-) ;-) I was only in hospital 4 days when I had my knee replaced, and I think I was up and about the house soon after. I hope it all goes to plan for you. xxx

More trouble with the guy at the bottom of the garden about THE TREE. He now reconds he's going cut the centre out of it, and throw the branches over the fence. He was at the door this morning. I told him in no uncertain terms I WILL SORT HIM OUT ONCE AND FOR ALL. If he does that. Ros came out to the door, and gave him a right old MOUTH FULL. Now we will see what happens. He told me he has only 3 months to live, so I replied, WHY THEN, DON'T YOU ENJOY WHAT TIME YOU HAVE LEFT. Instead of going on about something, that doesn't concern you. !!!!

The stir fry was a disaster last night. We ended up just eating the bean shoots and other veg. The meat was as tough as old boots. I have Steak and Kidney simmering on the gas, for a S & K pie tonight, with Spouters, Runners and carrot and peas.

Ros has changed the bed this morning, All washed as is all the colours, I had a job carrying the basket down to the line. She is now busy hanging it out.

The market in Northampton, consists mainly of Material, Electrical, and nick nack stalls. There is a couple of good VEG stalls where Ros. buys, when they go on there.

What a pity the GIRLS are eating their shells, I would think it's down to the lack of grit, which should be alright now you have bought some Mel.

It is so BLOOMING COLD OUT. I am going to put my hands in a bowl of hot water. They are freezing. Brrr.

I trust you and OH are feeling a bit better Gill, and anyone else who is feeling under the weather.

I had NIGHTMARES all through the night last night. Every time one woke me up and I dropped off again I had another. Feel completely Knackered now.

Time for a bit of lunch and a coffee. Take care everyone and stay warm. xxx

Good afternoon all

I haven't managed to read all the posts yet

Not nice having a neighbour at the bottom of the garden Frank who isn't very nice
as you said to him if you haven't long to live make the best of the time left, do you think he could be telling fibs? Hope you don't have nightmares tonight

Your hip replacement is nearer than you expected Jane which must be a relief . Has Fritz also had the same good news?

Good to hear you are starting to feel better Gill and your gum seems to be getting better too. I know how you felt about the pigeon I am exactly the same thankfully you managed to clean up etc before Sandra got up.

Ruby seems to be better now although she isn't eating as much. She has spent a lot of time chasing squirrels this morning. Thank you every one for your concern

Just going to cook myself an omelette for lunch.

Afternoon all,

Bright and breezy here today ,washings on the line and blowing well and we've been in the garden doing a few jobs .

Oh Anne poor little Ruby i wonder where she picked the bug up from i'm glad she's a little brighter today and back to her squirrel chasing ,could she have picked some thing up on her walk ?

Like Anne Jane i was wondering if Fitz had heard any thing from the hospital about his op.
When Colin had his hips done he was operated on on the Tuesday morning and he came home on the Saturday morning, i think once you can do steps you can come home ,they did say some people come home after a couple of days !!!

Gill i'm glad your feeling a little better and hope your OH soon feels better too ,an afternoon of watching films will be nice and relaxing for you .
Son has the job of caretaker at the little school where his two youngest go ,that's why there are so many keys everything get locked up.

Frank what a nasty neighbour he is ,if he only has a short time left you wouldn't think he would be worrying about a few branches .

You are like us Mel we seem to have been busy doing all sorts all this week ,next week there's nothing on the calendar ....so far .
We should have gone out to lunch on Wednesday with my sister and BIL but sister rang to say they would have to cancel as BIL had hurt his shoulder and could hardly move ,when i rang this morning he was much better but we've decided to wait now before going to lunch as the schools will be on holiday and it will be so busy .

I'd like to see the Garland when it's made Mel .

Afternoon All,

We have had a bit of sunshine here but it is much colder than I expected.

Glad you have started to feel a bit better Gill. I hadn't realised you had had your flu jabs so hopefully they may have helped a little. Sleeping when you can will help too and Sandra is a little star helping you out and quietly watching her programmes when you have naps. <3 <3 The antibiotics will still be in your system for a while so should hopefully still be clearing up that tooth infection. What a shame about the poor Pigeon, but a good idea to clear it all up so Sandra doesn't get upset about it.

I'm glad Ruby is more her old self today Anne. It does sound like she had a bug of some sort and what a game having to keep cleaning up after her! At least she seems to be over that part now.

Frank you would think that neighbour would be wanting to enjoy the time he has left as you say, instead of getting himself all stressed about the tree. Maybe he will leave it now. What a horrid night you had with all the nightmares. It doesn't make you want to go back to sleep when it's like that.

We were beading at the house with the big cats this morning! The younger one whose first birthday was recently hasn't filled out yet, but he is soo long!! My friend can hold him behind his front legs with her arm at her side and the other arm at her side in front of his back legs with his body reaching all across her tummy. He and the other cat took great interest in one of the ladies' dangly toggles on her coat on the back of her chair. They were lying one each side and taking turns gently patting it with their huge paws. They also like to get their heads in our bags to have a nose around! They have 2 cat trees now, one so they can watch the birdfeeders and Squirrels and one is in the front porch so they can watch people walk by or come to the door.

Mandy, your son will need a strong belt for all those keys! You reminded me how we all had keys to lock our laptops up at work before we went home, also our work mobile phones had to be locked up too in those days.

OH is ready for a trip to a garden centre so I'd better get my coat on!

Afternoon Everyone
Well what a chilly day it has been. I actually lit the fire at lunchtime and its now like a hot house. I wont be putting any more logs on now.
Anne I was sorry to see how poorly Ruby was yesterday.Poor you having to do all the cleaning up.The trouble with our dogs and cats is they just cant dash to a loo like we can .I hope you havent got any stained carpets :-S.Do you think she ate something she shouldnt have ? At least she seems to be on the mend again today :-D.

Gill what a shock for you this morning with that Pigeon :-0.It must have hit that window with some force.It is unusual for a pigeon to die like that as they usually manage to survive a clash with a window and just leave the pattern of their wings. You will be glad though that Sandra didnt see.

Frank .You dont think this neighbour is so difficult and horrible because of what ever his illness might be eg where his brain might be affected.Or has he always been so disagreable ? Sorry you had a bad stirfry last night.Hopefully tonights meal will be a success :-D

No Fitz hasnt heard anything about his hip op.He has a different surgeon to me so maybe he has a longer waiting list.I dont really know how these things work. I havent had another call yet to give me a new date.
Mandy did OH have 2 hips done at the same time? If so that must have been quite an ordeal.I think Aemmon (sp) Holmes off TV had both his done at the same time.
Janice will be very handy with supplying me with some helping aids as she works as a volunteer for the Red Cross which loans out equiptment and she still has things she used herself.

That garland you are going to make sounds good Mel.The boys will love that :-D

Ann I am surprised you manage to get any beading done with those beautiful cats around. :-D My attention would not be on beading :-D :-D

Well Frank I might turn into a nasty neighbour soon if my next door neighbour doesn't move his Land Rover Defender from off the pavement right in front of our house. He has a big enough drive ,plus if he wants it in the pavement why not put in front of his own house !!!!. Also there are 2 lay-bys. I think it is bad anyway to take up most of the pavement as it is meant for pedestrians and not bl**** great tanks. 2 days now it has been parked there . Grumpy old mare I am :-D

Mandy I bet your son feels a bit like a jailer with all all those keys LOL I never knew laptops could be locked I rememberwhen Hannah worked at the mens Prison in she had a big chain on her trousers with a number of keys on it. I always knew when she had arrived home because of the jangling :-D
Has AnnG been out for the day? We haven't heard from her yet today.

Southern Fried Chicken Breasts ,Sweet Potato Fries ,Peas and Green Beans here tonight. James is going down to Jess (yes they still are working at it) .So just me and Chris here for the weekend.
Frank , Chris was in Northampton town centre today while he was waiting for the service on his car to be done.He said yet another sad and depressing town centre.Even the Market Square just had a few stalls .It used to be such a thriving Market didnt it. I love the French Markets .They are always so colourful ,busy and noisy with so many wonderful things for sale. It really puts us to shame.What is wrong with us here????

Hope you haven't got a big handbag Ann or you might just find one of the cats has sneaked in there and hops out when you get home , I think I would be playing with them too. :-D

We have the fire lit here Jane its quite chilly .

No Colin had his first hip done when he was fifty and the next one a few years later , the first one lasted twenty years which is good and that's the one he had done again two years ago,well it will be three years this August.
That's handy Janice having some things for you to use .

I wonder why the neighbour parks outside your house ,your sure it's theirs and not some one who's working on the site ?
I should think it makes it very awkward to see to get out of your drive .