General Chat

Well I am all showered and shaved. Now ready for a drink of something..


I spoke wth my old friend in Kettering this morning. He is off to the States in 10 days time for FIVE WEEKS. His Grandson is graduating from Uni. so he wants to be there to celebrate with his daughter and family. The whole family is so close, and have always been so. Not like a lot of families, mine included. It seems that if I don't ring those who are left, they never ring me. I rang my sisters number yesterday, and by luck my Nephew was round there. She is still lying in bed like a "CABBAGE" I know it's not nice, but it will be a blessing when she passes on. Bless her <3 <3 <3

Spoke to Harvey also this morning. He still has a blinder of a cold, that he has passed onto dear old LEWIS. Julia has managed to steer clear of it somehow. He is off to the Caravan in the South of France on the 24th May. He will stay a week or so, and drive back, leaving Julia there thought the summer. He will bring her home in August/September when he goes out again, for his annual break. WHY he won't fly I just don't know. Years ago he traveled to the USA, SPAIN, and TUNISIA with no trouble at all.

I have rung Barry and left a message. I was going to attempt the lawns, but just don't feel up to it. When he is available he can come and do the lawns and trim a few bushes for Ros.

I'm surprised that we haven't heard from Conrad, as he is home until Tuesday. I expect Ros will whats ap him this evening see how he is.

Still no sign of any sunshine, so I expect it will be dull all dy. So much for a BANK HOLIDAY. I think those who have dashed off for the weekend, wished they haven't bothered.

Enjoy your afternoon, whatever you are doing. I hope our Jane is O.K. <3 <3 and hugs to her.

Afternoon All,

Dull and a chilly breeze here, but the sun has just made an appearance........how long will it last though?

Have all the sausage rolls gone now Mel? :-D It's good the egg situation seems to be improving at last. There is so much to do in gardens just now isn't there and yours must be like painting the Forth Bridge, with needing to start again as soon as you've worked your way around it. My back has just told me to come in too as I have been pruning a variegated Euonymous? on the front that was overhanging the neighbour's drive. It has been left a couple of years with my knees hurting and last time I asked OH to trim the sides, he cut the top of it down instead, which I had wanted to grow taller!!!! :-S :-S It was where the neighbour's drive splays out each side near the road, so wasn't causing him a nuisance but I hate letting anything overhang the boundaries and encroach on the neighbours. I always tell them to cut things back out of their way if they want. :-)

Sorry you are not well again Gill and it might be worth seeing the doc as you seem to be getting one thing after another you poor thing. I expect your immunity is not great with all the stress you have had lately and that won't help. Try to relax and have a quiet day and rest and see if that helps.

Anne I bet those Bengal kittens will be full of beans as they are active cats that love climbing! They have such pretty markings too. Is this the first trip out with the camper? I love the freedom you get with them and how you can just follow the weather and move on when you want.

Vera you are very kind having the neighbour for lunch. I don't think anyone would enjoy my lunches with no salt added to anything and stacks of veg!! lol.

It's a shame about your poor sister Frank, but it does sound like her life has become more of an existence now. Hopefully she is at least comfortable. I thought about you this morning as they were saying on tv how 1 in 10 men are colour blind and that opposing footie teams' colours can look the same in a match to some! I'd never thought of that!!

I have managed to pot up the tomatoes and filled a tub with lettuce plants and OH has dug some of the shrubs and overgrown rock plants out in the front garden. After a bite to eat it will be paperwork and he will be note writing this afternoon. A neighbour told us the tip is open again now, so we can get rid of rubbish again, which is good as the rubbish bags are filling up again!

I thought I would frame the 3 fused glass coasters I made at those classes and put them on the hall wall.............but I'm blowed if I can find one of them?? I've kept everything together that I made and put it in a wardrobe as well, so gawd knows where it is. :-( :-(

Afternoon all ,

We've had a busy few days with Katie here so today we're having a lazy day.

Oh dear Frank back to front underpants that must have put you in a muddle ;-) :-D
Sorry to hear your sister is not so good but hopefully they are keeping her comfortable and pain free..
That's good you've left a message for Barry to come and cut the lawns if you don't feel up to it and it wouldn't help your back either after you lifting the compost and being in pain .

Sorry to hear your not feeling great again Gill ,i'd get to the doctors and get them to check you over you might be lacking in some thing and that's why you keep picking up all these bugs ,hope you feel better soon .

Anne i bet those Bengal kittens look sweet ,our neighbour has two Bengals and they get up to all sorts ,they love getting into cars if the door is open ,one got into our shed and we nearly shut her in .

You've been busy in the garden Ann and with the tip open again you'll be ok for getting rid of the garden rubbish ,it's surprising how quickly a bag fills although we don't fill them up like we use to because of lifting them up into the bins .
Well i wonder where your glass coaster has gone that's odd if you've kept them all together in the wardrobe you'd think it would be with the others ,i hope it turns up.

Mel ,it was Katie doing the friendship bracelet and she got on well with it but didn't get it finished so she has taken it home with her .
It sounds as if the egg situation is better with no more broken ones ,they didn't like the bowls in there did they .
There's a programme you might like on channel 5 on Wednesday it's called Saving Britains Hedgehogs might be worth a look.

Just started raining here so i had to nip out and get the washing in and it was nearly dry too .

Jane it sounds as if this week is going to be a tough week for you all ,i have been thinking of you <3

I see the royal baby is here.......a little boy! I wonder what they will call him.

Ros is still in the front garden, putting in plants, and clearing DANDELIONS from Tony's lawn. She worries that they will blow the heads, onto out garden, and set themselves. The RED ROBIN is growing up again, and shedding it's leaves onto HER GARDEN. She is collecting them up and throwing them back over their side. It's just too big to have in the front border.

I want to take her out a little later to eat, I have no inclination, to want to cook tonight. I will try our next village pub, to see if they can accommodate us, for a table for two. If not there are plenty of others to try. I'm sure we should get in somewhere, without too much trouble.

it's stayed dry today, but hasn't seemed to get very warm. I have put a jumper on, and still don'r feel that warm. I think I am going down with a cold, as my head aches, and I feel achey all over. :-( :-( :-( MAN FLU. lol lol

Ros has set all her tomatoes in pots in the greenhouse, which I expect will need a water this evening. Thats a job for me, later.

It's not the main colours that effect me, it's the shades. When Ros says thats a nice whatever colour, I tend to say. Is it GREEN, BLUE, BROWN, GREY.. Black, white, yellow, blue don't seem to be any trouble, JUST SHADES. !!!!

COT time, and it's time Ros came in for a rest, so I will call her in. ;-) ;-)

Afternoon all. I nipped into town this morning and paid my Debenhams account off, that needed doing before we went away. Had a quick look round M&S but didn't see anything I fancied so just bought a pair of cropped trouser pyjamas. If you don't buy them when they first come out it seems difficult to get the crops later. OH played golf. We got home at the same time. I have done a couple of jobs in the garden that were on the list for today but I had had enough so came in to download my holiday photos. Will get some on the blog later.

I am not superstitious (being born on the 13th) so would take anything off and change it round without worrying.

Yes I see a baby boy has been born to Meghan and Harry although I can't say I had worked up much interest in the event.

Gill sorry you are under the weather again. It does sound as if you have a deficiency so a visit to your GP might be a good idea. It is strange that with all these bugs you get your OH or Sandra don't seem to catch them so maybe they are not bugs at all.

Mel, Our garden is bad enough for always needing something doing and it is much much smaller than yours so I don't envy you.

Annx I bet that coaster will turn up just as you decide to just frame the other three. Strange how things can just disappear. When we were away after making coffee with the flask I put the spoon back in the bag, never to be seen again, had to go and buy a couple of spoons in Morrisons (50p each so didn't break the bank.)

I just had to post this.

I have just received a message through the Francis Firth site from a boy that I went to school with in the 1940/50. He was asking to be remembered to my twin sister Jean and Bill my elder brother who nicknamed him GINGER due to his hair colour. WHAT A BLAST FROM THE PAST. I have replied to him, and hopefully we will stay in touch. He is just over a year younger than me. Will keep you posted as and when.

O Frank thats great news. Where was this fello from? I am pleased your sister is comfortable and she must feel better being at home. Yes I was wondering about the team colours for you when you watch a match.

I bet Ann's coaster is with her stick thing she lost last year after her holiday. I think you have the Borrowers Ann and you will have to ask for them back please?

Poor Gill I really think you should do as the others have said and go and see the doc. It could just be a mineral defficiencey (sp) or something just simple and you need a tonic. I think too you should eat regulary as you seem to work till you are nearlly dropping. Have a slice of toast for breakfast and then a small lunch and then carry on working till its time to get some dinner on. You must eat properly as you have to look after that lovely daughter and hubby you know. <3

Anne the kittens will be a handfull when they are a it older. How much will she get for them when she sells them?

AnnG can't wait to see all your pics on your blog. Now we know your birthday is the 13th but what month please?????????? My mum's brithday was 13th June but she was superstious.

I suppose we will hear nothing more than baby news on the news now Megan has had her baby.

Two more eggs this morning. I have done a bit of potting on in the shed today and the suns been out most of the day but still a bit chilly in the breeze. Also done a bit of tidying up in the garden down here by the house. Still not ventured up the border yet.

Mandy oh has just pinched two sausage rolls so ther are three left and three little sausages as I just pinched on as well as he made us a cuppa.

I have cooked the spag bol for tonight so only have to do the pasta now.

I bet Katie enjoyed making her bracelet Mandy even if she just needs to finish it at home. The other girls will be asking her to make them one! No we don't fill the bags as much these days either.......it's the same with shopping bags as we both get bad backs carrying much now.

I've been in the greenhouse again and managed to plant up the 2 pots by the arbour and to put the geraniums in the big pot and plant the cucumber. I know it's a bit early but I want them to establish a bit before we go away. After OH had a lay down he put the bean poles in ready to plant the runners, but he's had enough now and has collected a nasty splinter in his finger! It seems to be in quite deep so it's got antiseptic cream and a plaster on for now and then it may come out tomorrow after a soak in hot water!! He's like me and will keep taking his gloves off to do. things.

Yes I can't work out what I would have done with the coaster. Being fragile I wouldn't have bunged it just anywhere. Hmmm, maybe one day I will find a little stash of all the 'lost' things somewhere including that stick which still bugs me. lol.

AnnG I work from lists like you do as well. Maybe it's from our training at work years ago. lol. I have a list on the go at the side of me now. If I don't jot things down I forget or don't do things in the best order.

Ann yes I always had lists at work I still have a Civil Servants mind.

Mel 13 August..(edited)

There are some photos on the blog, just the Torquay ones. It was playing up so I didn’t do the Dorset ones.

Those gardens are amazing AnnG. All the lovely tulips.

I could just go the cream tea now.

Pleased to see a pic of you so I know who I am talking to.

Now I have seen you both I know who I am talking to. Its always good to put a face to a name.

AnnG should that be 13th Aug????????

sorry Mel, yes it should I have edited it! :-D :-D :-D

good morning all. The dreaded dentist check up later. The sun is shining so hopefully will be out in the garden after we get back.

Yes Mel the gardens were fantastic and there always seemed to be two gardeners working in there, trimming the edges, weeding etc. such a lovely place to sit. The cream tea was lovely, hadn't had one for years and really enjoyed it.

Good morning you all,

We went out for a meal last night to one of our favourite restaurants. The CROMWELL COTTAGE at Kislingbury, I did mention this place to Jane, that if she fancied a drive out. They do excellent food and it was packed last night at 5.00 pm. The nice village is a few miles away. Ros had an 8 oz Rump steak, which she said melted in her mouth, peppered sauce and all the usual trimmings. I settled for a Cod and chips, with a pea puree, which was to DIE FOR. I passed my compliments to the chef. !!! It's the best bit of Cod I have had for a long time.

We were back in time for the SOAPS. I stuck it out until 8.15 pm and went bed, and read my book. Local Radio was rubbish again last night. All this THUMPING in the background of every SO CALLED SONG. Whatever happened to our wonderful music of the 50/60/70s.

Mandy how old is Katie now, she really enjoys being in your company, and doing and making things with her NAN. xxx

AnnG I will have to try to find your blog, and have a look of all these photo's that are being mentioned. Is it this weekend you are going away.?? I just looked at the date and it's two weeks today that we go away for three weeks to Spain.

Barry is here cutting the lawns, and trimming a couple of Ros's bushes. I will get him to screw the SPIKE in the lawn so I can put up the bird feeding station. We had all the feeding things on the front hedge, but the Pigeons would be under them, picking up all the bits from the ground, and in doing so TRAMPLED all her plants down. :-( :-( She wasn't having that, so it will now go in the back garden. Good old BARRY. He will come just before we go away and once while we are away. Carolyn and Val Barker will share the watering.

Gill I hope you are feeling better this morning, you must try to take things easy and dose yourself up with medication. I tend to LET the cold symptom's come out on their own. I think taking things only prolongs the cold.

Nice morning here with a hazy sun. I expect Ros will be in the garden if she isn't going out with Carolyn, which she usually does on a Tuesday.

I can't believe that Conrad has been over for the weekend and has gone back on an early flight, without contacting his Mum, Harvey is full of COLD which he has passed on to Lewis, so far Julia has manages to steer clear of it. (I think I mentioned this yesterday) SENIOR MOMENT.

I had an email from the chap who knew me from childhood, to say he hasn't received my reply. Gawd knows where that went. So I will have to go though everything AGAIN.

I see Thomas doesn't like having his FLEA treatment like so many cats. When Ros's mum died, we got her Dad a cat, he was an absolute Bu@@er to get anything down him. I would grab him by the scruff of the neck, while Ros wrapped him in a towel, then we had to force open his mouth and administer the tablets. Once he was free he would go mental, and scamper up the Curtains, and sit on the pelmet out of our reach. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Well as the old saying goes. "sitting here won't get baby a new hat" Where on earth did that come from. !!!

Morning Frank and all,

Sunny this morning again but more of a breeze today and still chilly out. I did'nt ask oh if we had a frost this morning as we have had on the last three mornings.

Hope Gill is feeling a bit better this morning and managed to sleep last night.

Your meal sounded nice out yesterday Frank and good you both enjoyed it.
Yes you must go and have a look at AnnG photos as the gardens were really wonderfull with all the tulips wallflowers and forget me nots. It also looked like they rake the paths each day too.

Well its shopping day again and I have to do Lidl for some bits so its going to take me longer today.

Morning all

Jane, cats always know! They have some sort of inbuilt sixth sense. Ours would always disappear when we wanted to take them for their annual jab, even though we were very careful not to have the cat carriers anywhere in sight. I also had a laugh at Frank’s description of giving the cat a pill. It reminded me of our last cat Mitzi who was a timid little thing - until you tried giving her a pill. The vet used to have to do it. The last time she needed a worming pill the new vet decided she was going to show us how easy it was. OH held puss, vet tipped her head back, popped in the pill, stroked her throat till she swallowed and said “There you are, all done”. Mitzi then spat the pill straight into the vet’s hand. I won’t put the whole saga here as it would take too long but it took 2 vets, a nurse and OH, plus 2 scratched hands and several ruined tablets before they got one down her. The vet’s comment was “timid little thing isn’t she”.

I know what you mean about the pigeons trampling the plants Frank. Our bird feeders are hung on tree branches. The sparrows toss out any seeds they don’t fancy and the pigeons wait underneath to hoover them up. At the moment there are two trampling down some campanula that’s round the base of a hawthorn.

I managed to do bit in the garden yesterday but we still have some planting to do, some troughs and pots to fill and some general tidying up. I’ve also got to give a good scrub to the table and chairs and wash the patio area down a bit. The trouble with encouraging birds into the garden is that they will leave their calling card over everything. I want the house and garden tidy by Saturday week as I have a coffee morning here . Somehow in my tiny garden I have to make room for the people coming, a table for raffle prizes, a table for a tombola, and book and plant stalls.

Gill, I do hope you are feeling better today. Echoing what the others have said, you need to speak to your doctor as he could arrange a blood test to see if you need a top up of iron or a vitamin. It might be something quite simple that’s dragging you down.

Just noticed the time. Must quickly get an early lunch as after lunch we are on a coach trip with a club we belong to. Going to The Tower of London for a short private evening tour followed by the Ceremony of the Keys, then drinks in the Officers bar and mess. We’ll be up there mid to late afternoon which will give us time for a wander and something to eat before meeting our guide at 7.

Jane, keeping H & G in my thoughts this week and sending you a cyber hug <3

Frank I have PMd you with the blog address.

How strange that Conrad didn't contact his Mum. Maybe he ran out of time.
Yes this Saturday we go to Criccieth in Snowdonia.
Nice that Barry wil cut your lawns while you are away, nice to come home to.
I envy you your three weeks in Spain, we are usually in Mercia for two weeks in June, or have been for 5 years, before that it was North Tenerife.

Vera, it seems that no matter how small the garden is the work expands to fill your time. Yes the birds leave their calling cards round our garden too. We have the gardening group here on Thursday, they start indoors and end up in the garden so lots of tidying in and out to do.
How lovely to have a private tour of the Tower of London. enjoy your trip.

Jane (((((hugs for you all)))) Still thinking of you
<3 <3

Afternoon Everyone,

Well it turned out sunny today so I should have done some washing! I changed the plants in the front wall pots and planted a few dwarf pinks in the island beds this morning, but then managed somehow to twist a muscle at the back of my ribcage! We went out for lunch but I could hardly stand up after, so have been getting up sooner before I seize up since. (sympathy with Frank now!) I managed to return some cropped, stretchy trousers at Edinborough Mill before we came home and now OH has now gone to a match at near Stratford on Avon. I am going to sit and go through the umpteen notepads I seem to start and make sure I have added all the bits to my Family Tree, then I can tear out those pages plus any others I don't need. In other words declutter them.

Anne, it must still be a worry for Paul with the goings on with someone trying to get access to his money. Since the Talktalk hacking I had someone send scam emails to one of my contacts pretending to me. and asking them to click on a link! I wonder how long it is before these fraud attempts stop, or do they?

Those flower beds look beautiful AnnG and I hadn't thought about people disturbing the gravel walking on the paths till Mel said they must rake them.

Vera I have a small garden now but there always seems to be something wanting doing. It's a nice idea to have a coffee morning and do you collect money for something special or a charity with having the tables? I hope the sun shines for you so it is a good day for it.

Jane, Thomas certainly knew something was going on didn't he!! lol My friend's youngest Maine Coon seems to have fallen in love with the draught excluder and is carrying it everywhere!! :-)