General Chat

How lovely to see the little ones faces on their first school trip Gwyn and how lucky you all were to see France. It sounds like you had the lovely weather we've had all day.

Glad to see you're home safe and sounds AnnG, what a pleasant journey home through all the country roads, much better than hours stuck on a motorway. When we went to Cornwall we got on at the beginning of the M5 all the way to the end of it and it was such a boring long journey. When we went to Bristol we went via Wales and it was a beautiful way to travel, the only thing I didn't like was going over the Clifton Suspension Bridge. I'm terrified of heights so I shut my eyes while OH drove over it. He thought it would be funny not to let me know when we had got to the end and left me with my eyes shut longer than I needed to.....the cheeky man lol ;-) I'm looking forward to seeing all your pics on your blog when you put them on there. Pleased to hear all your plants survived and you only have the lawns to cut. That's the down side to going away, all the washing you have to do when you return home. At least you have the nice weather so it should dry quickly on the line.

Just watching the Chelsea Flower Show, I recorded earlier, there's lots of beautiful flowers on there, some I've never heard of or seen before. I meant to say before Jane, how nice for the company to win a silver at Chelsea, they must of been thrilled. Ouch a sting on the eye, good on her for soldering on, it must of been quite sore. So you're the first one in the world to have the new Gin, lucky you. :-) I hope you're feeling a little better today.

I seem to be missing everyone's posts today. I've just noticed I missed yours Mandy.

Pleased to hear Jake's birthday went well, the chocolate cake sounds nice, we always have a chocolate cake for Sandra's birthday, it's her favorite. You've been busy in your garden I bet it looks nice and tidy now you've cut things back. Yes, putting shopping away isn't a very nice job, at least you didn't have much to put away today, so that's good.

I'm glad half term has been mentioned on here as we were going to take Sandra to Chester Zoo next week, I think we'll wait until the children are back in school, it can be very busy at the best of times so it might be a bit quieter then and she'll be able to see the animals better.

The new neighbours are starting to move some of their things in on Saturday, with the rest of the moving being done on Tuesday, the gates are being done next week now, so by the time the children go back to school everything should be finished and the new neighbours moved in to, so we can enjoy our day out with Sandra without worrying about workmen, she wants to go shopping to and visit her Nan. We haven't had the chance to see OH's mum lately with helping my mum, so it'll be nice to see her again. I just hope the weather stays nice for Sandra's trip to the Zoo, it rained the other week when we were going to take her and it had to be cancelled.

Heavens Gill what a busy day you have had!!!! I dont know how you manage it.
Glad Mum is ok now and no stents needed.

AnnG. We get fed up with Chips sometimes when we are away. It must feel nice to be home again and see all is well in the garden (except the lawn :-D)

Gwyn, what a lovely day for the Children to visit the castle and climb to the top and see France too :-D. They will remember this day :-D I expect you might be ready for a bit of a rest over the Half term :-D

No Thomas is still not here.I rang the Cattery to explain and she is fine for me to go in the morning (assuming he is home!). I will hate to have to go away and just leave him even though I know he will no doubt be fine. Yes I can leave plenty of dry food and water in the summerhouse Gill. I could also ask my neighbour (2 doors down ) if she would pop in to top up his dish and put fresh water in. James will be home on Monday
Chris is getting himself all stressed out now :-S. I can do without that thank you very much :-D He is now giving the garden a good watering with his earphones on listening to music.
Frank I think the villa with the pool sounds just lovely .Little Lola and her pups are going to miss you when you come home.

Vera I hope you have had a good day with your Brother and that he is getting better now.

Evening All,

Yet another nice day for us all. Plenty of sun here but it took a while to come through this morning.

My word Gill, you have been busy. I would love to have had a daughter like you, you are so kind and helpful to your mum. I hope the silicon treatment stops any damp and it was a good idea to to use it in the holes. Your mum will be so pleased with her room with everything spick and span and clean with all you and your OH have done. :-)

Jane, can't James feed Thomas while you are away if he doesn't make an appearance soon......or maybe he will be off to see Jess? He's a little tinker isn't he (not James!) and seems to know the signs of you getting ready to go! How lucky were you to get that special, new Gin! I had to laugh at the thought of you and Fitz in hospital together. I hope laughing won't affect your new hips as I expect there will be plenty of that! At least you won't need to visit each other in there now and it will mean less weeks shipping you both around for Chris!! I bet you feel better now most is packed for your holiday. I hope you have a good journey and nice relaxing time to recharge your batteries.

I was quite good Mel as they weren't big helpings of chips and I gave OH some. I also left half of the fish batter (which I love) even though it was very tasty. I've had a few extras, but stuck to decaff americanos instead of lattes and will have my second icecream tomorrow, then will start in earnest again when I get home

AnnG you find some interesting places while you are away and it sounds like you had a good journey home. We have decided to come away this same week before the Bank Holiday next year. We've decided with a lot of people going away the Bank Holiday week, especially families with children, that this is a quiet week! We usually go away earlier in May. I hope our pots etc have survived as well as yours when we get back on Saturday.

We thought we'd have an easier day so had a roast lunch at a place about 3 miles away. Gawd, neither of us could manage to eat more than half of it there was so much! Then we went towards Liskeard and stopped to look at the most southern church in the country. When we got out of the car under some tall trees it was deafening with the sound of Crows. We have never heard anything like it!! lol Closer looking revealed lots and lots of their nests in the trees above and it was mostly noisy babies demanding food making the noise. I said to OH that you'd think they'd get sore throats and his reply was that they sounded as if they already had! You'd never get a lie in with all that racket if you lived in the nearby houses. The church is quite tiny and has a cosy feel to it and some pretty stained window patterns I liked and a nice little churchyard. OH was up in the pulpit again which seems to be a habit now.

We then tried to find our way to some lake thing on the Penrose estate (where that chap has been in the papers this week for proving he was an illegitimate son and so inheriting the estate), but we seemed to miss the turn and ended up on a tiny coast road one car width between the houses......nerve wracking but a very picturesque drive though. We stopped by one of the wheelhouses on the way home where they used to mine black tin so I could take photos.

Frank, the villa sounds lovely with having a pool as well to cool off in. Hopefully all that sunshine will help the aches and pains.......I think I need to join you! I can see Lola and her pups loving you to bits! That white one sounds a bit of a bruiser.

Vera, what a long time to have your guests, but they must have enjoyed themselves to stay so long. I hope you had a good sleep and feel refreshed now.

Did Jake enjoy his birthday and the BBQ Mandy? Does he have plans for his birthday money? Oops, I took ages to post this .....I see he had a nice chocolate cake....yum yum! Yes, I've done the pendant and am starting the chain bits each sides next. :-) I never thought about painting, but you are right, and with it quiet and peaceful it would have been ideal. When I get home I'll have to see if any of the photos are good enough to paint from. :-)

Good evening everyone

Lots of long posts for me to catch up with tonight. You've all been very busy.

Frank, what are you like; fancy walking into the plate glass. You will have to take more water with it :-). We can't have you knocking yourself about like that. It's great that Lola and the pups let you make a fuss of them. They obviously trust you.

Jane, I hope Thomas has put in an appearance. That cat definitely has a mind of his own. If he doesn't appear don't let it spoil your holiday. Cats are pretty good at fending for themselves and if James or a neighbour can check that there is food down for him, he will be fine. How lovely that you and Fitz will be having your operations at the same time. You'll be able to encourage each other and there'll be lots of laughter. Those poor nurses.... :-D :-D

Isn't it lovely when the little ones get so excited when they go somewhere new? Somehow you start to see the world around you through their eyes. I bet you had a lovely day Gwyn and if you managed to get through the day without one getting lost for a few minutes and another one being sick or stung by a bee you will have done very well.

I'm glad you had a good journey home AnninG and that your garden is still looking good. I look forward to seeing your photos on the blog.

My goodness Gill, you have had a busy day. I wish I had your energy. Your mum must be so pleased with all the decorating and cleaning you and your OH have done for her. It must have cheered her up to come home from hospital to a "new" room. I'm glad your mum is doing well.

I'm glad Jake's birthday went well Mandy. His cake sounds delicious. Belated happy birthday to him. They grow up so quickly don't they. They're babies, you blink and suddenly they're nearly grown up.

Any news of your water leak yet Mel? I hope it can be easily found and fixed and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Ann, we went to that garden in Cornwall last July. Isn't it a lovely place? It's so quiet and tucked away that I don't think many people find it. When we went there were 4 of us and there were 2 other ladies walking around and no-one else there at all. We didn't have tea but I loved the idea that you could just make yourself some tea or coffee, help yourself to some cake and put the money in the honesty box.

Talking of gardens, on Tuesday we went with a group to Stody Lodge Gardens which are not far from Holt in Norfolk. These are only open for about 15 days between the end of April and end of May. They are not huge, about 14 acres, but they specialise in Rhodadendrons and Azaleas and the colour is amazing. In one area they apparently have 2000 different azaleas. OH took several photos. If he ever gets around to putting them on the computer I'll email a couple round.

Yesterday, as you know, I had all the neighbours in for tea and cake. I invited them for 3 pm and thought they would probably go by about 5, not 8.30!! But it was a lovely afternoon/evening with lots of laughter and I was flattered that people felt comfortable enough to stay a long while.

Today we have been to see my brother. He has got more colour than last time I saw him and seems a bit better but he still seems very frail and weak and not recovering nearly as quickly from this last operation as from the previous ones. He is also not eating very much. However he seemed less tired and his concentration levels are getting back to normal and he remains positive and looking to the future so it's not all doom and gloom.

I think that is more than enough for one night. Sleep well everyone.

Morning all

A bit cloudy today but still very warm, I've just been sitting outside having my morning cuppa and watching all the birds feeding on the feeder, it was so peaceful and relaxing. I've taken the bedding off our bed, Sandra is still asleep so I'll do her's later, so that's in the washing machine. I need to do some hoovering and dusting today. OH is going to his mates for a few hours then on to the charity shop to take the piece of furniture that is to big for our place, I think he might clean out the gutters this afternoon and wash down the fascia boards, they are filthy after all the work next door. So that's our day planned.

Yes, mum was very pleased with all the help we've given her lately and is looking forward to me doing the wallpapering in the alcoves when she's away for a few days next month. I would of done it now but with her coming out of hospital there wasn't any time to do it after OH had finished the painting. Mum's wants her doors and skirting boards painting in her hall next, so no doubt OH will do that at the same time I do the wallpapering, then it'll look good for when she returns from her holiday. We'd rather do the work when she's not there, it's quicker and easier on her with all the furniture having to be moved around, it'll be less stressful for her to.

Pleased to see your brother is improving Vera, shame it's taking a little longer than last time, but I'm sure he'll get there in the end and at least he's keeping positive which is a good sign.

Has Thomas turned up yet Jane? Don't worry if he hasn't, he managed to look after himself before you had him, so I'm sure he'll be okay, enjoy your holiday and try not to worry. Having food and water in the summerhouse will mean he won't go hungry, and I'm sure there's plenty of bunnies around for him to.

OH said you can adopt me if you'd like Ann lol :-D :-D Yes, we try to help both our mum's as they live on their own so some jobs they can't manage, we do the same for OH's mum when we go around there, cleaning her gutters and cutting her lawns, plus other jobs that need doing, it's what we're here for, after all they looked after us when we were younger, so now it's our turn to help them. It sounds like you've been to another lovely place, I can't wait to see all the pictures you've taken.

How's life in Spain Frank, give Lola and her pups a hug from Sandra and I. It'd be nice to see some pictures if you can get some. How's the bump on your head today, hope it's not to sore. The Villa sound divine, it must be so relaxing sitting in the sun by the pool.

Did you get any further with your water leak Mel? Hope it's sorted soon for you and doesn't cost the earth.

I'm going to have another look at OH's tree now while the washing machine's on, I can't do the hoovering just yet as Sandra's still sleep, so it'll give me something to do while OH is at his mates and I have a bit of peace and quiet.

Morning Gill and all,

I am outside in a very cloudy patio. In fact the breeze is quite chilly. So I won't be out here long.

Conrad has gone to see a client, then coming back to take the girls somewhere. I will be quite happy sitting in doors reading.

Lola and the pubs are doing very well. The LITTLE ones are both dark coloured where as the BIG one is white nd a boy. He is a brute pushing th others out of the way, when Lola gets in to feed them. Lola clamped her JAW round both Jan's and Ros's hand last night, when they went to move the pups who had crawled out of the bed. She didn't leave any marks, but just warned them who was the MOTHER> lol lol
Conrad said he will forward me some photo's when he does I will pass them on.

I am off in doors as I am felling quite chilly.

See you when the sun comes out. xxxx

Morning All
Thomas has not been back at all and no food has gone from the summerhouse so it is looking like he might have got himself into trouble again and be hurt somewhere.
I dont think we will be going to Yorkshire..But will see. It is Chris who seems more worried than me .He is walking the edges of the big field that backs onto the long gardens of all the houses along here . When he gets in I will go door knocking to see if he has been spotted and to get people to check their sheds etc just in case he has got shut in . It is all feeling a bit ominous now :-S

I hope the weather brightens for you Frank.

The weather was perfect for our school trip and the children remembered so much of what they had obviously been learning about in class. I was quite impressed.

What I loved seeing too was the time when they were given a chance for a bit of free play and they were all rolling full length down a gentle slope. They so enjoyed that simple fun. One little boy came up to me with a buttercup and said "Do you like butter?", so I bent down for him to hold it under my chin. ... Lovely to see them enjoying themselves in such old ways.

Nobody lost, sick or hurt....it was a great day.

Morning all,

Its sounds like the trip was a great success Gwyn and you all enjoyed yourselves. Its nice to see that children still enjoy the things we used to do as children. I can remember going around in circles for a while and then laying on the ground and feeling like you were still turning and the world was moving. I shall have to tell the boys next door about that and see if they have ever done it. I know they do the thing with the buttercup flower.

More overcast today but its not raining like it did yesterday afternoon.

O Jane naughty Thomas. He did this once before if I remember rightly. I hope you find him and he is ok. One of my cats went missing once and was stuck in next doors greenhouse which she did'nt use and he had gone in through a broken pain of glass but could'nt get out. He was so hungry when I got him back and thristy. Good luck in your hunt and am keeping my fingers crossed you find him.

Frank hows the head this morning, has the bump gone down? Did you sleep well again last night? Maybe it will brighten up later on.

Gill its nice to know mum likes her new room you have done for her. You sound busy again today. I have to hoover today and do a bit of dusting and some ironing.

We have seen the deer over the last few days over the back field but he's been on his own.

I hav'nt seen any hogs lately either and think with them working in the field next door and round the back of us has diturbed them. We are not getting the poo around the garden either. I have stopped putting food out as I was getting rats eating it.

Oh Jane I hope nothing has happened to Thomas, it's such a shame you might not go to Yorkshire now, but I can understand why. Have you tried over the building site, he may of wondered that way for a look around and got a bit lost. Try not to worry, I know it's easier said than done, maybe he's in one of your neighbours gardens stuck somewhere, the same as Mel's cat was. I hope you find him soon, safe and well. <3

It sounds like you have the cloudy weather like us Frank. Let's hope it brightened up for you later, then you can sit outside. Lola is quite a protective mum towards her pups, giving a warning like that.

I remember rolling down a hill like that Gwyn, it's such fun. It sounds like the children had a great time and like you said nobody lost, sick or hurt.

That's the problem with leaving food out Mel, the rats start coming around. Our old neighbour was forever putting bread and other bits and bobs out for the birds and we ended up with rats in our back garden. Thankfully since the new people have bought the property and all the diggers have been around we haven't seen anymore. Mr Grumpy on the other side has lots of mess laying around his back garden which encourages the mice, so we're stuck in the middle. I doubt he'll ever do anything about the state of his back garden though. That's one of the reasons we put the high screening up, to hide the mess on his side and to stop him looking over all the time.

Most of my washing is done now, I just need to get it all dry and make up the beds. I'm having some lunch then I'll tackle the hoovering and dusting. OH has made a smashing job on the fascia boards they are so white and shinny now, I don't think I've ever seen them so clean, he's also cleaned out the gutters and now he's washing the windows. He said he's going to clean the patio once the gates go in next door then everywhere will be clean again after six months of dust and dirt. Now all the windows are cleaned it looks much brighter in our bungalow. :-) that's good but it's showing up all the dust......not so good. At least I can see it to clean, when I've eaten.

Afternoon all,

Oh no Jane little monkey going off for so long ,i hope you soon find him and he's ok so you can go off and enjoy your holiday .
I bet he's shut in some where ,every ones busy on the garden this time of year and sheds get left open so he might have just nipped in for a doze .

I hope the weather soon brightens up for you Frank so you can get out by the pool and read your book .
It sounds as if Lola is very protective of her pups perhaps she's had some before and they were taken away so she's making sure this lot stay with her .

So your fascia boards and windows are all nice and clean now Gill OH has been busy ,this sunny weather does show up all the dust and dirt .

We have decided that we cant go away now as we are really concerned that Thomas might be injured and someone needs to be here in case he can find his way home.We would not be able to enjoy our holiday as we would be too worried. I think Chris seems more upset than me which is most unusal .We almost came to blows(not physical) about whether to go or not. I had suggested we wait until Monday and go then that wasnt right :-S.. So the cases are unpacked and I have been to get fresh food as I had emptied the fridge.
Chris spent a good hour or more searching over the back field but it was very difficult as the paths are now so overgrown as is the field. He disturbed some Deer . Not Muntjacs but the bigger ones.He said they went bounding off.
I went house to house and met people I had never seen before .2 very nice ladies .One was Julie and the other Helen. Julie and her lovely lab took me all around down her very long back garden .The dog was sniffing all under the bushes and undergrowth .But no Thomas there. I walked along our road on the other side where the ditch runs just to see if he might be lying there .Again nothing. So I have no idea what to think now. I have to admit I have had a few tears as i was so looking forward to going away . We just needed that break now.

The last time Thomas was missing like this was when he had damaged his hip and had to have the head and neck of his femur removed in a big operation.The Vet thought he had most probably been hit by a car and had tried to get home but was stuck in a neighbours garden as he wasnt able to jump the fence.
Gawd I am sorry I seem all doom and gloom . Chris has gone for a lie down !! I am on Cat watch.There is a plate with Tuna on down the garden .I 'm hoping the smell might entice him .

It certainly isnt chilly here. In fact it was too hot to sit at the patio table just now . The clouds do seem to be building up now though.
Rolly Poloing down a hill or a slope like the children did Gwyn is such good fun. You never seem to roll in a straight line though .What a great day they had :-D and no bumps and bruises .

I suggested a home delivery from the Chinese place this evening ,but then we realised because of our road closure they wouldn't be able to deliver because of the extra miles.I think they only deliver in a 5 mile radius :-S :-So thats out .
I think it will just be a Pasta, Sauce ,Garlic bread and a bit of salad .That wil be fine :-D

Oh Jane I think you've done the right thing not going away you need to be there for when he comes home .
Pity you don't know some one with a drone it would show you places where you can't get too.

I do feel for you as you both really needed this holiday , wish I was nearer to come and help to search .

Have you put it on your local Facebook page ,people are so good and I'm sure they would keep a look out for him.

Oh Jane, I'm so sorry to hear Thomas is still not back and you're no longer going away, just when you needed a break to. I hope Thomas is found soon, Mandy's idea of putting it on facebook is good, people are always willing to help and the more eyes looking the better. Good luck, I really hope he's found safe and sound. <3 <3

Evening All,

More overcast now but sunny spells today too and we heard a Cuckoo today.

Oh no Jane! I was sure he would be home now and what a shame you can't go away as you could really do with a break just now. :-( I can see that you couldn't enjoy it with worrying about him though. I do hope he has just been enjoying hunting and has a full tummy so doesn't need his home food. With what happened last time you are bound to fear something bad has happened. At least you know he's not lying in your neighbour's gardens or the ditch. I do hope you find him soon.

Yes you could be my adopted daughter Gill! lol.;-) ;-) You and your hubby have certainly been busy today getting rid of the dust and dirt.

Gwyn, we all enjoyed those simple pleasures as children didn't we! I remember head over heels downhill too. :-) It sounds like they had a great time.

It's a shame your hogs aren't visiting at the moment Mel. Do they usually roam away in the summer, or is this unusual? I know they say they are getting endangered now and we haven't seen any in the garden for years now.

We found it quite hard to find the garden Vera, but so quiet as you say. I'm glad you saw it too as it is a little gem.

Frank it does sound like Lola is very protective or maybe she's a bit jealous of the attention the puppies get. No wonder the big white one is so big if he keeps pushing the others away from the dinner table!

We didn't go too far today with travelling back tomorrow. Just a couple of garden centres, lunch at The Norway Inn again, lamb shanks this time and a pud as it is our last day. A nice apple and berry crumble with custard. Then to a new garden open this year, just one day a week. It's in very early stages of being restored, so there wasn't a lot to see so I think it will be better in a few years.

I've packed most things ready for an earlyish start tomorrow so we should be up, showered and away within an hour.

Probably the right thing to do Jane but sad as you really need that holiday. Why not have a no cook or easy cook weekend to give yourself a bit of a break. I wonder if Thomas has got on or in one of the builders lorries or vans.? If so he may be able to make his way home. I do hope he is found or turns up. Have contacted local vets to check if he has been taken in hurt? You can always book a holiday at a later date.Strange that it is Chris who is so upset but maybe he is upset for you and also it is another upset to add on to your past troubles. Men are funny sometimes keeping a stiff upper lip for so long then it is the straw that breaks.....

Its quarter past 7 and I have just come down from the border and the sun has come out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its been cloudy but dry all day.

O Jane I was hoping you had found him while I was up the border this afternoon. I posted so I could read the update. You really needed this little break and its a shame you are not going but I know I would rather see if I could find him if he was mine. Have you informed the people you booked with to see if they will let you have another week later on? As to Chris being upset don't forget he spends time in the summerhouse and Thomas is sometimes in there with him so they are probably closer than you think.

Sending love and positive thoughts to you all. x

Morning all,

Any news on Thomas ? I do so hope he's turned up it's such a worry.

We had a lovely blue sky when we got up now it's gone over all cloudy.

Off to the fruit and veg store and then on to Tesco to change a pair of shorts we got Jake for his birthday ,he needs the next size up ,I also need another grow bag which we can get from Roys that will be the morning gone .