General Chat

Afternoon All,

A gorgeous sunny day and as you say Mel, the birds are all singing and happy now all the rain has taken a break. Thanks for the Blackbird update. My word they are growing fast aren't they with signs of their wing feathers already! I would be just the same after the strimming with aches. You use muscles and more of them than you think so a dip in the hot tub later may help, as if you need an excuse!! lol.

Yes I bet the children will be asking to visit and go in the pool this weekend at Mandy's if it isn't already arranged! I bet they love it.

You made me smile Vera, I think it's more perseverance I have than talent.....I don't like to let things beat me. lol. Both Mel and Mandy make some lovely and different kinds of things too and AnnG does lovely cards. Between us and with Frank's wife who makes lovely things we could open a gift shop between us! It sounds like your hubby is slowly improving which is good. I used to worry about masking pain too, but the anti inflammatories help stop the swelling where the damage is which also reduces the pain and enables you to move and increase the healing circulation the damage needs so you are right.

I hope Gill's tooth and swelling are improved today. If they have I expect she will be in the garden.

Frank how annoying about the shower!! Maybe it just needs a part that the plumber could replace? It might be worth enquiring. Why do these things always happen at weekends or Bank holidays too. I don't think visiting the pups would matter too much while they are at an age that they will take to anyone quickly, but Lola might be unsettled. It sounds like they would both have liked to keep them all if they could!! There are quite a few cats at Harvey's now then. My friend's rescue cat has never taken to either of the Maine Coon kittens and mostly lives outside now or upstairs in a bedroom at night. She just spits at them if they are anywhere near, even if they are just curious. It may be the sheer size of them I think. I think you should get those chest pains checked out as you say, you can't be too careful about these things and the doc can put your mind at rest if it is just a bit of stress.

Well I'd better go out and enjoy this sunshine with my camera now. I know OH is itching to come with me, but I would be forgotten if it was the footie season and he would be off without a thought for me then, so I'm not keen on him taking over my trips out and deciding where we go etc. He isn't a good or quiet passenger so if he does come he will be told to 'button it' before long I think! :-) He also scares off any wildlife before I can photograph it by pointing and waving his arms around.

Afternoon all

It's lovely and sunny here today and very warm so I've tackled the sealant on the living room window. I need to put a bit more on later when the first bit has a bit of a skin on it, then hopefully it'll keep the rain off the wallpaper.

Sandra and I love all the photo's Jane and Mel have sent.

Those Blackbirds have filled out quickly, Sandra is looking forward to see more as they grow if you take them Mel.

Love Janice's new dog Jane, what a lovely looking fella he is. How old is he, Sandra was asking if he's a puppy with him being so fluffy, she's thinks he's very cute. What's his name?

Pleased to see your OH is walking more upright now Vera. Good luck with all the forms for the insurance, I hope they do compensate you for having to cut your holiday short. I hope you had a nice sleep last night and feel more relaxed today.

You asked about Sandra's camera Mel, she has a screen you can see the photo's back on, so that's how she show them to everyone. The screen is very small but you can zoom in so it makes it easier to see the photo's.

It sounds like you have a lovely day planned photographing the wildlife today Ann. I love to see the pics you take. I did smile when you said your OH waves his arms around, but I don't suppose it's very funny when you're trying to take photo's and his frightening the wildlife away.

Sorry to hear about your shower Frank, hope the new one does't cost to much. Was it a DNA kit Simon got you? It'll be interesting to see if you can find more relatives on Ros's tree. I'm getting on well with OH's tree, although I haven't done much for a few days with not feeling to good.

My tooth is playing me up a bit today but the swelling is still going down so that's a good sign. I didn't need to go to A&E in the end which I'm pleased about. OH's pre op tests went well yesterday so he just needs to have the op on Wednesday then he can spend a few weeks recovering and hopefully feel more human again. He said it's not painful, just uncomfortable at the moment. I rang the dentist yesterday to make an appointment to have my tooth out but have to wait for 2 weeks. OH thinks he might be able to walk with me to the dentist by then as it's only at the end of our road.

We're trying to get all the little jobs out of the way before his op as they are starting to stack up now, so he's painting the side gate and like i said I've started sorting out the sealant on the living room window. It's a lovely day and very quiet around here so I think most of the neighbours must of gone out for the day.

Sandra was laughing before as the dogs in the area started barking to each other, she thought it was really funny. Thankfully they only barked for a few minutes so didn't disturb the peace and quiet for to long.

Gill I will take pics of the Blackbirds when I can. The mum one came onto the patio just mow with a huge amount of worms in her beak. She looked at me standing by the back door so I stepped back and she had seen half a worm near where I was standing so she picked that up too.

I loved the picture of Janice's new dogg too and what a lovely colour it is, so unusual. She has a face a bit like a teddy bear.

Oh has been mowing this morning.

I went to Em's with the eggs but its this weekend they are away. I saw her dad who has the property next door which he bought off my oh and he showed me around the cottage and where they have put a new extention on for a kitchen. Yesterday late afternoon I dressed my old scarecrow in a pair of oh's overalls we tied him to a chair and put my old wellies on him and we put it by Em's dads one in the garden where they move it around to stop the deer eating their flowers and trees. When Phil went there this morning our one frightened the life out of him. He thought it was someone sitting talking to his scarecrow. The cottage was a small shippam on oh's land out the top of our garden.

Hallo all

It’s a good gardening day here today, dry and not too warm with a bit of a breeze, but I am not sure I will have time to do any.

You are doing well to get through all your jobs Gill. It’s a shame that your tooth is still painful. Sometimes the antibiotics take a little while to get working. I hope you feel better soon. Sandra sounds a very helpful girl.

What a nuisance about your shower Frank. All these problems mount up. As a friend said to me yesterday, these things are sent to try us - and they do. Are your aches easing now? Do get those chest pains checked out just as a precaution.

I wonder if Mandy’s youngsters are in the pool now and I bet Mel will be giving all her aching limbs a bit of tlc in the hot tub.

We have had another slight setback. We have been sleeping separately till OH is better but we both had a really bad night. When I got up Bob was already up but looked terrible. He said he had been feeling ill all night, shivering, nausea, breathless, unable to stand and constant thirst. I rang our doctor to get a recorded message saying to ring 999 if the emergency was life threatening, otherwise to call 111, which I did. After speaking to one advisor, she put us on to a medical professional and OH was able to tell her exactly how he felt. She believes he has had a reaction to codeine in his painkillers. Told him to stop taking these tabs and stick to paracetamol. He does look a lot better now and has gone to shower.

When he is safely back on the hard kitchen chair that he finds most comfortable at the moment I must go to one of the shops to get some veg. We usually meet friends for coffee in town on Saturdays and I get veg in the market but of course we didn’t go to town today.

Hope you all have a good afternoon.

What a cracker of a day it is. Ros was home early as Martine was having her hair done. We had a roll and she had a COT while I had a beer.

Couldn't be bothered with doing the lawn edges. Barry can do those on Tuesday, after all is said and done, that's what I pay him for. lol lol

Janice's DOG is a beaut. Jane, not sure if I recognise the breed, but I am sure that doesn't matter as long as he fits in with the family, and other pets.

Those little baby blackbirds must be a delight to watch as they grow Mel, I am sure you will enjoy seeing them grow, and fledge. Do you have any cats around you, I hope not, as the little blighters will have a whale of a time with all these baby birds. :-( :-( So it looks like the Scarecrow is doing it's job. How often to you see the deer.??

I watched Charlie Gimmick yesterday afternoon. Those Rich boys made some witches out of chicken wire, they looked easy to do, and looked very impressive.

Ann, I must try to get out and about a bit, I use to love getting along the tow path, taking the odd photo., and see the wildlife. With all these aches and pains, it really has curtailed my going out. I am pleased to say I have had no more pains in my chest. So it might have been indigestion. lol lol. Thats what I am hoping anyway.

Looking forward to seeing Simon and Sally tomorrow for lunch, another Sunday without cooking. I am being spoilt. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Gill it was Harvey that bought the Testing Kit for ancestry. It will be nice for Ros to use and see where her family originate from. I might then be able to add more to her Family Tree.

Haven't heard anything about my sister, so I assume everything is the same, I might call my nephew this evening anyway.

I have sat and read the paper, not that there's much worth reading about. I see BORIS has had a fall out with his girl friend and the POLICE were called after midnight last night.

Think I will sit outside and try to read my kindle, not easy with the brightness, but I can try. BE GOOD. xxx

Afternoon all.

Lovely warm sunny day here today. As daughter and SiL needed to pack we drove to Barrow and had a lovely walk along the estuary, Black Combe in the distance looked wonderful in the su and, although the tide was out there were lots of photographic opportunities. Plenty of sea gulls and oyster catchers as well. We walked 2.5 miles turning back when it got too steep for us. We walked back and had lunch in the Bridge cafe in the museum. We shared a portion of chips and each had a fish finger bap. Unfortunately OH seems to be developing a cough which is a nuisance for him and I hope I don’t get it. Coughs cause me all sorts of problems. We next called in Tesco for some bits to last us over the next few days and, of course checked out the clothes, bought a T shirt in the sale and a pair of shorts not in the sale. Got back to daughters at just after two, we had intended getting petrol but the petrol station in Tesco was closed. Daughter’s packing was done so that was good.

Sorry Frank I must of misread your post I thought it was Conrad who bought you the Ancestry kit. Have you sent it off yet, I bet Ros can't wait to find out if anything comes of it. Sandra was asking, if it's possible, could she see a picture of the other kitten please? I see your chest pains came to nothing in the end, that must of been a relief. Yes, you should leave the edging on your lawns to Barry after all, like you said, that's what you pay him for. I've recorded the garden programme so will watch it later if I get the time.

Sorry to hear about your OH's reaction to his meds, I'm exactly the same with co-codalmol I have the same reaction and it's quite scary if you don't know what it is. Good idea to stick to the paracetamol. I forgot to answer your question before, yes Sandra would love to see the photo of the orangutan you have adopted, she loves all animals, except snakes and spiders. She wouldn't even look at them when she went to the Zoo.

She's loving seeing all the photo's you have all sent recently of birds, kittens and dogs. She asked me every day if I have anymore photo she can see.

I could do with going in Mandy's pool today, it's gone really hot now, I bet the children love it.

How lovely to make the scarecrow Mel, it must of been very good if he thought it was a real person.

I've just finished the sealant on the living room window, so I'm going to have a bath and an early dinner so we can settle down and watch the F1. At least it's not on around midnight this time, I struggled to keep awake last time it was on. OH has just finished painting the gate, so we're all done with the little jobs for today.

I'm having problems with my Internet, it keeps going off so I'll post this incase it happens again.

I missed your post there AnnG. It sounds like you've had a fun packed day, apart from OH's cough. It's nice to get out and about while the weather is nice. They say it's going to be hotter next week, so maybe we might have a summer after all. ;-) ;-)
I hope you don't catch your OH's cough and he's feeling better soon.

Frank what a nuisance about your shower. Especially when it flooded everywhere giving Ros a second shower.
The mountains in the distance looked lovely last Thursday and Black Coombe again today looked good so lots of photos taken.
Daughter has lived in the South Lakes since 2013 but before selling up in Hampshire and moving here, they had an apartment they let as a holiday let and they and we stayed there a lot. They could both work from home. Then her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he died December 2014. The apartment was at far Sawrey and two isolated for her on her own so she bought this bungalow in Dalton in Furness and has lived her since 2015. Then she met her now husband and they married last August, he actually comes from the Workington area and they are now buying a bigger house up there in the north lakes. Daughter loves the Lake District and her middle son, the one married with three year old daughter, moved up here too in 2015. They too are moving up to the north Lakes where he is buying a sandwich/take away shop.
Good to hear the chest pains have stopped, possibly indigestion then.
Annx hope you found lots to photograph. OH is better these days now he goes to photography group and has his own camera. He takes some good photos but doesn’t like macro or close ups. He is reasonably patient when I am taking flowers, to a point!
Mel that was a good trick you played with the scarecrow, very funny, I hope he saw the funny side of it in the end.
Gill pleased your tooth is less painful and hope it stays that way.

Afternoon Everyone
This sunshine is great now. It did get a bit overcast earlier but the breeze must hve blown the clouds away :-D Lots of washing dried today. I tried to get the mattress topper from James's bed in the machine but it was too big so I have just hung it over the line to get a good airing. I have been to Dunelm and got 3 summer weight duvets .They were flying off the shelves !

Oh dear Frank,poor Ros getting soaked . I wonder why the shower is turning itself on like that? Have you found a new one yet? I keep meaning to give our ensuite shower a good clean .It is desperate need of one.I want Chris to take the doors off so I can get to the runner bits at the bottom. I am glad you have decided to get Barry to do the trimming of the edges of the lawn.As you say you pay him to do this kind of thing.

Gill ,is the sealant all sorted now? I remember a few weeks ago you saying how the wall was getting wet . Is Mum home now and does she love her newly decorated room?

Vera ,I have heard of people being allergic to Co-Codamol. That must have been very scary for OH and you . Thank goodness he is now ok .Are the Paracetamols strong enough for his pain? Or are you going to see about getting something other than the Co-Codamol? I find sitting on a hard chair more comfortable too with my hip. I suppose it just gives better support than a soft seat.

AnnG ,I remember when your SIL passed away.Was it at Christmas time eg Boxing Day? It sounds beautiful where you have been.Looking forward to seeing your pics on the blog :-D

Mel those dear little Blackbirds have grwon so much already haven't they !!! plus they don't look so pink now :-D. That was funny about your scarecrow and the chap thinking it was someone sitting chatting to his :-D :-D :-D

Mandy is the pool in use now? :-D :-D. It is the perfect day for a good splash around.

There is a music festival just down the road from us today and tonight. It is quite a small affair but I did count about 10 mobiloos so they must be expecting a good turn out. When I went out earlier there were a group of lads walking down the road and they were wanting me to give them a lift down there. I just said I dont take strangers but they only had about a 5 minute walk and they would be there before they knew it :-D. I think because of our road closure we may well get a fair number of people passing our house. I just worry about when it comes time for them to find their way home again :-S

So Chattterbox has insisted he accompanies you on your trip out Ann :-D :-D. I hope he is behaving himself LOL . Maybe you could have a found a few jobs for him to do at home ;-). I expect though you will have managed to get some lovely pics :-D

This dog Janice is having is part something(I just can't think of the name ) It is a breed she has had before but that was a pure bred one. It is a difficult name.so I must ask her to tell me again. I don't know how old he is Gill but only that he is quite young.Less than 2 I think. I think it is lovely she is saving a dog but there are so many in this country that are desperate for a new home. Jorge is only a little dog and I think smaller than he looks in that pic.

Neither of us are that hungry so rather than the Pasta/ sauce and Garlic bread I had planned I think it will be eggs on toast.That suits me .Just one frying pan to wash :-D :-D
Where are you going for your meal tomorrow Frank?

Jane better get a move on if you want to clean the en-suite shower, you won’t be able to do it for a while after ‘H’ day.

Yes Jon died 27 December 2014 sadly around 8pm by then it was not a shock as he had decided he had had enough and refused drink and food. We raise a glass of his favourite title at that time each year.

Hope you don’t get too much noise from home going revellers tonight Jane.

Have sent the Blackbirds pics I took this afternoon and the pheasents sunning themselves..

Oh your poor hubby Vera, as if he hasn't had enough this past week. That must have been scary for him, but it sounds as if the doc was right about it being the co-codamol. I have some the doc gave me to take for my knees if they are bad, but I am reluctant and haven't taken any yet.

That was a good trick with the scarecrow Mel. It's a pity you couldn't have watched Phil's reaction!! It would be the last thing he expected to see. lol.

That's good those pains went away Frank, it may have been indigestion like you say. I think Barry is the answer to the lawn edges as it will save you the job and maybe more aches and pains! I think it's hard to let go of jobs you managed to do so easily in the past, but rich people and royalty do it all the time!

OH found an open garden for us to go and see (told you he would take over!) so we went to that, as I thought I could take some photos of the plants. I made him promise not to get in the way of my photos or to bounce me through the potholes though, but he had to be reminded on both counts! It turned out to be a garden we saw a couple of years ago, but was a very nice one so we were happy to see it again. It's where they grew their cues and squashes in tall tomato pots and it was an idea I wanted to try but forgot about. The garden had a lot of sitting spots with tables and chairs so we sat and had a COT and naughty cake which was very nice. On the way back we called in the farm shop and went in their cafe. I treated OH to a ploughman's and I had what I thought was a lite bite, fish gougons on granary bread with a salad garnish. When they arrived the people on the next table gasped. OH's ploughmans covered a wooden breadboard 18 inches long and 12 inches wide and my plate was piled high! I had to leave all my bread and just ate the fish and salad and we wrapped up most of OH's cheese and one of his french sticks in serviettes to bring home!! lol. We were going to work on the garden when we got back, but could hardly move with being full so that wasn't happening anytime soon!

G has a long, long list of home jobs Jane, all neatly written out on a piece of paper , but, (like me I suppose! lol), there are other things he would rather do, including coming out with me!!

AnnG it sounds like a lovely area and I look forward to seeing your pics on the blog. I hope you don't get the cough either as I can easily develop something nasty from these simple infections too so know what you mean. It's good your daughter found happiness again and you will have a different area to explore when she moves.

Gill, it does sound like your tooth is getting better now which is good. It should be ok then till you see the dentist after your OH's op. I hope the sealant has fixed your window now so any rain doesn't seep in. :-) :-)

Sounds like a good trip out then Ann. Hope you got lots of photos. Just realised why OH’s face is red and he said he felt hot in the face. Silly man didn’t have suncream on and it is sunburn. He always goes really red in the face from the sun. And always needs reminding about sun cream.

Those baby birds have huge mouths to fill Mel and must keep their parents busy. On the other hand the Pheasants can take it easy and sunbathe! They do look relaxed and 'chilled'. :-)

My goodness Mel, those birds have grown a lot in just a few days. Ma and Pa blackbird are going to have their work cut out feeding that hungry lot.

I hope you got some good photos today Ann even if they were flowers rather than the wildlife you thought you might be seeing.

AnninG, what is it with men? Mine would never put sunscreen on or wear his hat if I didn’t remind him. Does Ros have to nag you to do these things Frank?

Gill, OH says that instead of just emailing a picture of Amy, the orang-utan, when he is up to it he will scan in a couple of photos and print them out so I can post them to Sandra with a little note about Amy, who is older than Sandra.

OH was not prescribed co-codomol as such but was given separate codeine and paracetamol and told to take birth. I know a lot of people don’t tolerate codeine very well and he has been quite poorly today. I suppose it’ll take a day or two to work itself out of his system. Strange how it affects some people and not others. I have had a 30/500 co-codomol on repeat prescription for the last 17 years. I don’t take it every day, just when I need it, but I am fine on it. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for OH.

I managed to do a bit of garden tidying and deadheading today and I got all the pots and troughs watered which is another job OH usually does. Now I think I’ll read for an hour and try to relax a bit before bed.

Jut been in the tub and now feel all relaxed and dozy. Yes the Blackbirds have grown a lots over the last couple of days and the parent keep going back to them with beaks full of worms all neatly folded in their beaks.

This evening I saw shed Robby and he brought a yongster with him who sat onthe sundial. I misse dthe pics of Robby with the chick but did get a pic of the chick which I will send tomorrow. Robby has been warming himself on the tyre of oh's mower and having a preen so I'll send that tomorrow too.

Tired now so I am going to watch a bit of telly and then go to bed.

Night night sleep tight.

Morning all

Cloudy here today and not as warm as yesterday, but the sun is trying it's best to come through so it might warm up a bit later. I believe we're in for another heat wave soon.

I did two loads of washing and had it pegged on the line by 7.30 this morning. I take my first antibiotic early so I'm not having to stay up to late at night and I couldn't get back off to sleep, so all my jobs are finished for the day now. OH had the same idea as me and decided to put the second coat of paint on the gate, now the rest of the day is ours.

I love all the photo's Ann and Mel and will show them to Sandra when she wakes up. She enjoys looking at them all and asks me each day if you've sent any.

The Blackbirds are growing fast now Mel, I noticed they are starting to get their feathers now. You are lucky being able to see right inside the nest.

Those flowers are beautiful Ann, Sandra will enjoy seeing those to. She often takes photo's of our flowers and took a lovely one of our Azalea when it was in full bloom.

Yes, Jane I have finished the sealant on the living room window, so hopefully the rain won't come in again. It was a bit of a tricky job near the top where the window opens but I managed to do it and leave it neat. I've never done it before so I'm quite proud of myself. The window is about 5 foot tall so it took a while to do. Hopefully it's worked. I guess I'll find out next time it rains. Mum came home from her holiday last Thursday and is thrilled with the decorating, she now wants the rest of her bungalow painting, so OH is going to do it after his op when he's fully recovered.

Thank you Vera for your kind offer of sending Sandra some pictures of Amy the Orangutan. I've explained to her that it might be a while, as your husband isn't very well at the moment. She's asked me to ask you for your address so she can send a thank you card. She makes her own cards and sends thank you ones to everyone who sends her things. The two Ann's and Mel have received a few over the years. I'll PM you our address. Is your husband called Bob? Sorry if I've got this wrong, but Sandra will ask me for his name to put on the card. I hope your OH is feeling a little better today and the meds don't stay in his system to long.

I have to remind my OH about sun cream to AnnG. He comes out in white blotches if he doesn't use it, we think it's might be to much Vitamin D from the sun. He's lucky and doesn't burn, apart from the top of his head where he's going a bit bald, but over the years that seems to have stopped now, so it's just the blotches he needs to be aware of.

How are you and Ros feeling today Frank? I hope the meds are working for her now, all these infections aren't nice at all. Enjoy your lunch out today.

I think I might have a go at OH's tree again today, I checked the tree match I have last night and there are lots of people I don't have yet, so I need to check them all to make sure they're right, then add them to his tree. That'll keep me busy until the F1 race later. I'm starting to feel more human now, the swelling has gone down a lot and I'm not in as much pain, so I'll be able to concentrate now. I'm starting to get a bit nervous about having the tooth out, but the dentist is very good so I'm sure I'll be okay. At least once it's out I shouldn't have any more trouble with abscess's anymore.

Good morning Gill and all,

Another nice day, with sunshine and breeze, after another not so good night for me.

I felt totally whacked out last night, after our Indian Takeaway. Ros had Chicken Tikka Marsala, and I Tandoori Chicken, we had garlic mushrooms, pashwari Nan, and rice. I gave up at 9.00 pm and went to bed, as VERA started on ITV 3. I read until 10,00 ish went to the loo, and was sick as a pig. Something hadn't agreed with me. Ros was in bed by 11.30 and I was still awake. Don't remember dropping off but was awake again by 5.00 am. Have done nothing this morning apart from drinking tea and reading the paper.

We are going to "THE CROMWELL COTTAGE" at Kislingbury Jane, I have mentioned it before as I am sure it's a place that you and Chris would enjoy.

I am about to TACKLE the shower. I will make sure I am in it with the doors closed, before I pull the RIP CORD LOL LOL I mentioned this to Harvey and he is going to look for a model that will easerly fit the existing water and electric connections. Once he finds one that is comparable, I will but it, and he will come and fit it.

Those little (NOT SO) Blackbirds will be eating the Mum and Dad out of home. Good job the parents have lots of open ground to find all their food. Your worm population will be in for a right old shock. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Gate all painted now then Gill. What colour have you used.??

It's nice that Sandra likes to send thank you letters to people. A lot of children just take things for granted. We find over the years, we have always bought Christmas and Birthday presents for Family children and friends, and never get thank you letter. Each birthday and Christmas, I sat my children down at the table to write THANK YOU LETTERS to everyone who had bought for them. I think it's only polite and curtious (sp) to do so. !!!

How are all the aches and pains doing folks, a little easier with this fine weather.

I have just had a Email from the Toby Carvery with an offer of two main meals for a TENNER. So I have booked a table or 5.00 pm on Wednesday, anothday day without cooking. ;-) ;-)

Will try to get back later today. xxx

Afternoon all,

Not such a nice day today as we have clouds and no sign of any sunshine at all but its not cold so that a bonus.

Got up at 6.15 for the loo and went back to bed. Heard oh get up but dn't know what time so I spread out right across the bed and woke up at 12 noon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have told him not to let me sleep in late as it makes the day so short and the chickens don't get fed early enough but thye had plenty of food in the pen last night and they have the grass to eat so they should be ok.

Not done anymore to the little Christmas tree yet. I have found some of that fast setting cement that you use around toilet fittings so that could be good to put the canes in the pots but now I have to find the pots. I have plenty of those green canes ffrom when I had the nursery.

I have Di's presents to do up for tomorrow as Midsummers Day is her birthday. I think thats rather special.