General Chat

Anne, No doubt someone will know what went on, and you will hear about it.

When the girls came home I was reading my book, my eyes hadn't decided to close. They had been to Torquay and visited M & S and Sainsbury's. Jan then rang the butchers about th meat. I went wroth her for the ride, while Ros had a doze. She said he was very nice about it and said that sometimes they get a ROUGE LAMB and sometimes a Bull/Cow. He gave her a large joint of lamb and a heap of sausages. She had a job to get them in the freezer. When we got back she crept around to the lounge window, and there was Ros with her head on her chest, asleep. I woke her to see if she wanted a COT which she did. and some Lemon Drizzle Cake that Jan had made.

I have finished my book on the Tablet, so will start my Vera Lynn book now.
The girls have just gone into the garden to put in some plants, and water the garden.

I have looked at the football results and see West Ham drew 2-2 with Leicester. So not a bad result.

Beautiful evening here, as I expect it is all over the Country. Conrad has had TWO DAYS of rain and high winds. So we are doing better than him, for a change.

I have been busy doing all these flowers for the church. I redid the easter egg wreath from last year first. Then made the moss egg and put it in a fower pot. Then I did a ring with ivy leaves all around it and covered the foam with moss. Do you think I could find any flowers in the garden? NO all I cold find were 8 grape hysinths so I put those all around the ring and then picked 9 daffs to go inbetween. Even though I say it myself it looked good. I put it on the font with the egg in the middle and I have remembered to take a photo this year of both.

I thought you would like that site Mandy as the small things are just the ticket for making for the girls and they won't take much wool either.

As to the Robins nest in my shed I had to shut the door as I did'nt want him nesting in there as they make such a mess and I am the only one aloud to make a mess in MY shed. They must have built another nest soemwhere by now and no they did'nt go back to the first one she was sitting on.

Frank that was good Jan got another lot of lamb and some sausages for complaining. Good on her I say for taking it back.

When I went down the church the children staying at the big house were all in the swimming pool. Great shouts of laughter and delight spreading across the grounds.

It's beautiful nest they made Mel. Are you going to keep it? You could put some of those small sugar coated chocolate eggs in it with a little sign 'Nature's Easter Eggs'. :-) I never seem to have what I want in the garden when I do a decoration either. The egg covered in moss sounds as if it turned out well with the grape hyacinths and daffs.

Frank, my mum and dad bought a big old house they renovated so they could have day patients from a local mental hospital. After dad died and mum retired, she carried on living there on her own till she was 74. It had 5 bedrooms, 3 of which took 3 single beds without any of the beds against a wall and a cellar I found creepy. I would have hated rattling around in it on my own, to say nothing of all the cleaning, but she loved it there and was very reluctant to eventually move. It sounds like Jan is the same. Other places must seem pokey after you have got used to living in big rooms! :-) It was worth taking the lamb back then. Sounds like bangers and mash could be on the menu one day!

Sent them the flowers and the nest.

How lovely they are Mel, you have made a smashing job of them!!! :-) :-) :-D

Evening All
Not long home after a lovely day and a really smashing lunch.I will catch up with the posts in the morning. Britains got talent and Casualty for me and then bed.I feel quite worn out.

Love your Church Flowers and Wreath Mel, and what a great little nest Robbie has made :-D

Night Night from me.

Evening all

Mel, what a sweet little nest the robin made. I can understand you not wanting them in your shed. A few years ago, at our old house, a pair of wrens nested at the top of the door jamb on our shed. It was outside the door and it was great watching them feed their young but for weeks we could only open the door a few inches and had to do a wiggle and a shimmy to get in and out and trying to bring out anything bigger than a pair of secateurs was a nightmare.

I love your church flowers as well. You are very talented - I wouldn't know where to start.

Frank, I'm glad the lamb got replaced. Lamb is usually so tender, it must have been a shock to find it all chewy. I bet you are enjoying all this sunshine and sea air. Devon is a lovely county.

You've done a lot of hanging baskets AnninG. I should think they will look lovely through the summer. I haven't got any hanging baskets but I do have a load of troughs which are right down one long path at the side of the house and also down the side of the garage. I've gradually filled about a third of them with perennial plants but I try and put colourful annuals in the rest. That's enough for me without having hanging baskets as well. I can't remember when you said you are off to Devon but I hope the weather stays good for you and you have a lovely time.

Gill, I am glad you are feeling a bit more relaxed this weekend. Make the most of the peace and quiet and have a rest, though I bet you have been working in your garden.

You got a good deal on your grow bags Mandy :-D

Ann, it was interesting to hear about your mum and dad's house. My son and dil have recently bought a big old Victorian house which is definitely a project !!! It has 6 bedrooms and also has a big dark creepy cellar and it had also been occupied by an old lady living alone.

Anne, I hope you are feeling better now.

I wonder if Thomas returned OK. I hope he did or Jane will be worrying about him instead of enjoying herself. That cat is a real character and a dirty stop-out.

Yesterday we went into our next door neighbour for coffee and cake with some of the other people in our little Close. There are only 10 of us live here and a couple had other commitments so couldn't come. We had a lovely couple of hours. There is a lady living in the corner bungalow and she is so funny. She had us laughing non-stop. This lady is 87, partially blind, has had breast cancer and a brain tumour. The treatment for the tumour left her with epilepsy. I am sure what she has been through would have left me a very grumpy old woman but she is so cheerful and happy. She's a real tonic.

This morning I went to our nearest supermarket, Sainsbury's, just for some milk and a bit of fresh veg. Well, you would have thought it was Christmas Eve. It was chaos. Trolleys were laden high, every checkout was open and they all had long queues. Why do people think that a couple of days holiday means they need 10 times the amount of food that they usually buy?

This afternoon we went to Maldon (Essex). It was very pleasant but I think the world and his wife were there. It was nice walking along by the river/estuary and watching the black headed gulls and other birds. It was good to see so many families out together with the kids running around having a whale of a time. There is an enclosed area called the Splash Park. It's £2.50 per child and they can stay all day if they want. It's basically a load of water fountains squirting through arches, wheels and spinning things. The children race in and out and get soaking wet but there is no standing water so no danger of a child drowning. I was quite impressed.

Tomorrow, we are going to daughter's for lunch. Not sure if it is just us or if anyone else will be there. She lives on the coast and the weather promises to be good again so I expect we'll have a stroll along the sea wall and an ice cream.

I think I have written half a book again. You must all tell me if I rabbit on too much. Once I start writing I sometimes get carried away.

I don't mind you getting carried away Vera its nice to read what people have been up to. I have family from Maldon or that area and Tiptree. A lot of my ancestors worked in the jam factory. They were from Messing. When we had a caravan at St osysth I used to see this signpost on the way dow to Iwardleigh and Messing. I never knew then that my family came from there but I always looked at that sign as if I was drawn to it. My grandfathers family came from Devon and thats where I have ended up and guess what? I have family in the graveyard of our little church.

Morning all,

Happy Easter and I must say its a beautiful day here with blue sky too.

Nothing doing here so I shall just do some gardening I expect. I really must tackle to top border. The wind blew my clematis support over and I had'nt realised and it has grown all wonky and was laying right across my lovely pink penstemom.

Good morning and A Happy Easter to all. Hope nobody has forgotten to get something in as all the shops will be shut (unless you happen to have a small convenience store nearby).

Vera I love your long posts, I am always in such a hurry lately that you put me to shame, I must try to do better.

I love Maldon but not been there for a long time. We lived in Essex in Great Baddow near Chelmsford from 1968 to 1973 and used to take the children down to Maldon a lot. when we lived in Bedfordshire we used to spend a lot of weekends with our friends in South Woodham Ferrers and also then a favourite trip was to Maldon. since we moved here in 1992 it is such a horrible long drive to that side of the UK that we have not been for ages.

Mel It is strange how we feel drawn to the places of our ancestors. My Great great grandfather (Paternal) came from Dorset, My maternal great great grandfather came from Somerset. I have always felt at home in the West country. And of course OH's family very much came from Devon, Dorset and Somerset (and Wales).

Jane pleased to hear that lunch was good, was it in a hotel or pub or an individual restaurant? Has Thomas returned?

anyway, best get on, packing and a bit more gardening to do today. Have a lovely day everyone.

Morning all

Another lovely sunny day today. Happy Easter everyone. Thanks AnnG for the lovley e-card, I will show it to Sandra when she wakes up.

Well, my hair is all coloured and looking much better now and I'm getting on great with OH's tree thanks to Ancestry opening their records for free, with a bit of luck I'll have most of it finished before they close the records again. I'm so relaxed it's great, I feel like we're on holiday with this lovely weather and no stress. I could get used to this. Pity the workmen are back on Tuesday, but for now I'm just going to relax and enjoy the weekend.

I love reading your posts Vera, they are always very interesting. Don't worry about getting carried away, I'm the same with my posts sometimes.....well, most of the time lol ;-) ;-)

Has Thomas turned up yet Jane? Pleased to see you had a lovely lunch with your family.

The pictures you sent Mel were great, you have worked very hard on the flowers. I'll show Sandra the one of the Robin's when she wakes up later, she's going to love that one. The one of the nest was good, it amazes me how clever birds are.

No I haven't done the cushions for Sandra yet Ann, but will do it at some point, we've been so busy in the front garden as we needed something to do so we could keep an eye on the workmen, in fact we ran out of things to do in the end, so OH painted the front fence, it all looks really good now with no weeds in sight and the grass cut. I've also been busy with OH's family tree, taking advantage of the records being open for free on Ancestry this weekend and bank holiday Monday, so I'll probably make a start on them next week for her. I did put in the new zip in her coat, although the way the weather is at the moment she doesn't need it, never mind she'll have it for when she does now.

Pleased to see the lamb situation was sorted Frank, hope the next lot of lamb is better.

Sandra's just woken up so she's seen the pics and loves them especially the two Robins Mel, and she loved the e-card AnnG she said to say thank you and she's sending a big hug <3
Have a lovely time away, I hope the weather stays nice for you, how long are you away for?

I can see how fast the moon moved Mel, we couldn't see it and wondered where it was.
I guess it was visiting you lol :-D

Good morning you all, and a VERY HAPPY EASTER DAY.

Was in bed again last night by 9.30 pm. I spent a bit of time reading and finished my book. I have started my Vera LLYN book this morning, and whining minutes she mentioned where she was born EAST HAM. not a million miles from where I lived, and believe or not, she lived in the next street to my AUNT ETTY. Ladysmith Avenue, where I use to visit as a child. I can see this is going to be a very interesting book and mentioned many areas around the EAST END, that I knew and visited in my youth. !! Mainly Saturday nights at the local dance halls.

Has BUGGER LUGS turned up Jane ?? He certainly likes to get around the neighbourhood. I bet the rabbit population, is being controlled by him.

Another beautiful day here. I have been sitting outside in the sunshine, and will go back when I finish on here.

I haven't read the posts again,(NAUGHTY BOY !!!) but see you have all been busy, chatting away. It's so nice to see that complete strangers(thats what we were) have got together like we have, and enjoy one and others, chit chat. It's like an extended family. <3 <3 <3

Nothing doing this end until we go to lunch 4.00 pm, It was the earliest Jan could get. I will be wearing my new shirt that Ros bought on the way down. Not that I am short of them. !!! I don't know why I packed a jumper and big coat, as I am not going to need either.

I hope you all have a very nice day, whatever/whoever you are seeing/doing. I will try to get back this evening.

gill We are in Devon from Monday to Friday then a week in Dorset.

Afternoon All
Sorry everyone , I meant to say that Thomas eventually strolled in about 9 the other night. I think this lovely weather he is just enjoying being out.No doubt terrorising the wild life.I don't think he goes too far .Mainly in gardens along the road. The gardens are so long and many of the bottom parts have been left to overgrow now as they are all hoping the new develpment behind us will begin soon. I don't think there is any chance of that though . So lots of lovely undergrowth for Thomas to roam around in.

AnnG it was a very old Pub called the Royal Oak in Evesham where we had lunch.I had a really very tasty and tender steak and for starters I had a baked Camembert with thin slices of toasted (or baked) Sourdough bread.

Vera it sounds as though you are very lucky to live in a close where everone gets along so nicely.I can't imagine there are too many little closes like yours.

Mel what a fantastic pic you got of the Robins.It is wonderful .The Moon to looks amazing.

Frank,I bet you are going to be as brown as a berry by the time you come home.All that sun and sea air :-D. I am glad Jan decided to complain about that Leg of Lamb, and that she was able to get another plus the Sausages. You dont expect meat like that being so tough and at £25.

Ann, have you found out what the Police were doing at the gated houses? I am so curious . Not being nosey LOL .. Yes I am :-D

We had a bit of a stroll down the road this morning to the post box to post someones Birthday Card ;-), and on the way back up we called in at ouf friends (2 doors down).The have just had thier big fish pond taken out and filled in, a new fence which is really nice ,and a big tree taken down .They are having some more things taken out on Wednesday which is a shame ,but Colin has Parkinsons now and he is 80 and Norma about 76 so they are wanting to be able to have less work to do. Mind you Norma is like a whirlwind and will tackle anything. So we sat for about 40 minutes or so on the patio having a good old chinwag.They were both in their shorts ,Norma in a strappy top and sparkly flip flops :-D
It is so quiet here at the moment and its so nice. No traffic out the front , the A14 sounds very quiet no trucks and digger things over the road. One more day of peace tomorrow . It so hot in the sun.I have got my long dress on and that is all.It took me while to find the dress as i could think where I had put it from last year.

I have a Rack of Lamb to cook later,but I have no idea how long or what temp to do :-S I shall have to google it I think. Lemon and Herb Roast Potatoes ,Broccoli ,little Carrots and Peas.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE :-D :-D :-D

I have just come in from the sun, I have been reading Vera Llyn's war time visit to Burma to entertain the troops. I have now read over 100 pages, it's the sort of book you have a job to put down.!!!!

Pleased that Thomas decided to come home, from his wonderings.

Not sure what I will have for meat today, after having Smoked Salmon and toast at 10.30 this morning, I am not feeling that hungry. So might settle for a child's portion.

The girls have been busy pottering around the garden, and putting pants in. While I have done nothing. ;-) ;-)

Conrad rang this morning. It's the THIRD DAY OF RAIN. Everywhere is flooded, as there isn't very good drainage out there. But once it clears up, it soon dries, and gets back to normal. He has been suffering with that horrible cough, that Jan and Ros have. I hope I don't pick it up.

He is still undecided whether to keep the dog or not. He is so pleased that he took it from the bad environment that she was living in, had it checked and treated by the Vet, and got it fed back to some normality. BUT it's a responsibility having to look after it on a daily basis, being at work all day. Now that he has her back to good health, he might look out for a GOOD rehoming Charity. It is his decision which way he will go. But I am sure he will make sure she goes to the right sort of home. We have all said how proud we are of him, taking her in, in the first place.

I think I will go and have another wash, and brush up, before going out a bit later. Enjoy your rack of lamb Jane, I wouldn't think it will take long to cook.

Frank, it must be such a big responsibilty for Conrad looking after his rescue dog.I hope and am sure he will not let her go until he finds the right place for her. He did a great thing by taking her in . <3

So he has Rain in Spain ..... What is that saying ...rain in spain mainly on the plains ?? We have much better weather than many hot countries by the look of things.I bet there a lot of people who have gone abroad for Easter wishing they had stayed at home now.

The Rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains .. Is there more to that rhyme?

It is a song Jane from My Fair lady.

The Rain in Spain" is a song from the musical My Fair Lady, with music by Frederick Loewe ... The key lyric in the song is "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain", which contains five words that a Cockney would pronounce Rine Pline .. It is when Professor Higgins teaches Eliza Doolittle to speak properly not cockney.
My Fair Lady, the musical of Pygmalion.

and now I have the song stuck in my head :-D :-D :-D

It sounds like you've got a great book there Frank if you can't put it down. Enjoy your meal out. I'm sure Conrad will find a lovely home for his rescue dog, I think he's doing the right thing for the dogs sake as it'll have some company rather than being on it's own while Conrad is at work.

Pleased to see Thomas is back now Jane, I was thinking of him this morning and hoping he was okay. I know that saying but didn't realise it was a song from a musical........that's my something new learnt today ;-) I guess the card was for Sandra, I'll keep an eye out for it. Thank you.

How nice to have a natter with your neighbours Vera, it sounds a lovely place to live. I envy you.

Have a lovely time away AnnG, I hope the weather stays nice for you. So you have the song stuck in your head now? I have days like that, made even worse when all I can remember is the tune not the words and can't remember who it's by so I can't Google it. I remember for years I had a tune stuck in my head and finally found out it was "New song" by Howard Jones. I bet I have that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day now lol :-D I was watching Top of the Pops from the 80's and it was on there. The reason it was stuck in my head in the first place was because of an advert, the beginning of the tune on the advert was very similar to the beginning of his song.

The sun is still shinning and it's so peaceful, OH and I have just been sitting outside making the most of it before the workmen come back on Tuesday.