General Chat

Ahh, bless. It’s really cute Mel.

It’s still raining here and very cold. My weather app has just told me that it is 13 deg and it feels like 11. It feels more like -11 to me. With no car at the moment and the horrid weather we won’t be going anywhere so I decided we would have our main meal at lunchtime, thinking hot food etc might warm me up. Well I have had meat pie with 3 lots of veg, a couple of glasses of wine, a bowl of strawberries and a cup of tea and I am still frozen. Not sure what I will do in the winter. I hope the weather is a bit better for Jane.

Frank, you must have needed that long sleep last night, and probably feel better for it. I am still reading half the night and I find that even if I have only had a couple of hours I still wake around 7.30. I’m still functioning so I must be getting enough sleep to keep me going. I hope Biggles is OK after his episode with the chocolate. It is poisonous to dogs and can be lethal. You might remember that I spent Christmas afternoon at an emergency vets with my daughter and her dog because he had managed to get at some chocolate. Because we got him there within two hours the vet could deal with it by making him sick till she was sure it had all left his body. Then he had to be dosed with charcoal for a few days. I am not trying to worry you as I am sure Biggles will be OK but worth remembering for any future incidents. By the way, when we go to Jersey we are flying from Southend. Our nearest airport is Stansted but Southend is OK to get to. We’ve been to Jersey a couple of times before but not for several years.

AnninG asked me which hotel - I can’t remember offhand. It’s in St Helier and there was a choice of four or five hotels but, because we are a group of 10, we needed five rooms and one had to be a disabled room with wheelchair access, so we went with the hotel that had the right rooms for our group.

I hope you and OH are both feeling better now Gill. You do seem to pick up anything that’s going. Do you think you might need a vitamin top-up or something?. If you don’t want to see the doctor you could have a word with a pharmacist. I’ve generally found them very helpful. You are right about us having good friends here. None of us are young and we all try to help each other where needed. When we moved to the area over 30 years ago we lived in a very rural area and didn’t know a soul. We soon realised that if we didn’t want to be isolated we would have to go and find other people so we joined a couple of clubs in a town a few miles away and got to know people like that. When we moved just on 6 years ago we decided to move to the town where we already knew people.

I hope everyone else is free of aches and pains and problems. Enjoy the rest of your day.

HELLO :-D it's only me.
Just popping in to let you all know we are having a good relaxing time here. It is not a very nice afternoon now so we have come back early to the cottage .
I had a paddle in the sea yesterday :-D :-D. I was determined to have one. It was a bit of a struggle getting up a bank of pebbles and shingle then down the other side onto the sand. But with the help of the crutch I did it.I only stood on the edge and got the last bit of sea coming in ,but it was worth it.My feet felt lovely afterwards.I would have stayed longer but the crutch kept sinking in the sand LOL and I didn't want the risk of taking a tumble.
It is so peaceful here.Just the sound of the birds. Last night there were Owls everywhere .I wish I had recorded the sounds.They looked to be smallish Owls.
Lots of Swifts/Swallows too. The only annoying one was one single Magpie ! But it seems to have vanished now .
There is a Yoga studio cabin at the bottom of the garden (I don't know how to do Yoga) neither does Chris . But there is a bed in there too and Chris decided to go and have a sleep down there yesterday afternoon :-D
Tomorrow morning we have a little boat trip booked at Snape Matings .It just goes up the river a bit throught the Reed Beds ,and hopefully we might get to see some nice bird life.Even if we dont I shall just enjoy being on the river for half an hour or so.

I saw a Fox yesterday just along from the cottage as we were getting in the car.It was up by the Wild Water Pond.

James and Hannah seem to be having an amazing time in Lisbon. They have sent so many pics.It is so good to see them having this special time together.I think they come back on Thursday. We will be home on Friday.

Love your little friend Mel :-D :-D Was it a frog or a toad? Shows what an ignoramus I am :-S

Well I am going now. I am sorry but have not read the posts. I have kept my laptop off but thought I would just say a quick hello . Might send the pic of me with my tootsies wet :-D

Love to see the wet tootsies please Jane?

It was a baby frog I just loved the yellow line on it. Toads are brown and walty.

I found something I want to make on the pc the other day and started it but I thought I had taken a picture of it but I hav'nt!!!!!!! Unusual for me.

Just seen the pictures Jane and you look very happy.

I have just corned the chickens and have sent another photo.

You look as though you enjoyed your paddle Jane. Whereabouts on the coast was it?

Mel, you do get a lot of wildlife around your neck of the woods and you take some good photos. On the rare occasions I see something like that by the time I have got myself organised to take a picture it has scuttled away.

On the subject of snakes, my grandson loves them and has just acquired a new one which has been named Kelloggs……….as in Kelloggs Corn Snake :-D

Evening all,

Its been a funny old day here it couldn't make up it's mind if it wanted to rain or not ,i did hang washing out first thing as it was sunny and dry but it wasn't out there for long as it started to rain .

Gill i hope your both feeling a little better ,as the others have said perhaps you need some vitamins to give your body a boast .

Oh Mel he's a dear little thing :-D
Oh dear it's annoying when you lose pictures of what you want to make ,i hope you can find it again .

Vera you'll have to get those fan heaters out ,you'd have thought the hot meal and cuppa would have warmed you up ,we keep wondering if we should light the wood burner but i think we just need to pop a cardi on to take the edge off the cold .
Son swept the chimney yesterday so we're all ready to go when it's needed

That's good you had a good nights sleep at last Frank and good you've got all sorted out for sunday lunch i'm sure you'll all have a good time together for Ros's birthday .

Nice to see your having a lovely time Jane it does look a lovely place .
I bet the paddle was good ,your feet always feel so good after a paddle in the sea i suppose it's the salty water that makes them feels so soft .
Sounds as if you have lots of wild life there ,those Magpies can be so annoying, they have a challenging, almost arrogant attitude ,i bet it will be back :-D

Oh Vera :-D just seen your post Kelloggs Corn Snake :-D i love it very clever .

Oh just seen your grass snake Mel :-D gosh your finding all sorts out there today .

Evening All,

A dull but mostly dry day here and chillier!

No COT first thing as the kettle gave up the ghost! We were up late and I have a big glass of water with my tablets so we didn't bother with a hot drink (OH rarely does till late morning anyway) and showered and went to the carvery down the road. After we did shopping at Sainsbury's opposite and got a black Morphy Richards jug kettle in their sale for £22.50. OH also found a grey tweedy jacket that fitted him really well. You don't see many jackets with a single vent which he prefers so he snapped it up. He also found a book to get!

After advertising on the Mybuilder site for someone to sort out bottom fence, the 2 that replied haven't bothered to ring so I rang someone else who is ringing me back this week (hopefully!) I can see us ending up with the black cattle from the field at the back in the garden looking through the kitchen window at us one of these mornings as a couple of the panels would only need a small push!

Vodka was a favourite tipple of mine years ago AnnG, but I haven't heard of a caramel one. I would probably love it though!

The little frog would be a surprise for you Mel. We hardly see one since the pond went, but the newts seem to be able to climb up the water feature pot. What a nuisance still having indigestion and now a raw throat too. Will you have to go to Holsworthy and a new doctor if you decide to go? I hope you have some soothing honey and lemon.

What a shame about the meal you cooked and had to throw away Frank. Once you think meat smells wrong the only place for it is the bin though. It's interesting to hear Ros loves the new iron. I remember our good friend Maureen that used to be on the thread saying how good those steam generator ones are. I would have one in a flash but OH does the ironing and is happy with what we have so I'm not going to put him off the job by getting one am I! :-D

It will be good to get the car back Vera. That was a good idea to join some clubs to get to know people when you were new in the area. It's one reason I'm put off moving down to Cornwall, the not knowing anyone, especially if something happened to one of us.

Mandy those painted pebbles have even reached here. A friend found one a few weeks ago and took it on holiday with her to hide there. Are you lit up outside and soot free now? :-)

It's good to see you enjoying a paddle Jane and you did well to get over the shingle to the sea. The river trip sounds a nice way to relax and see some birds too. It sounds like the break is doing James good too. Enjoy the rest of your stay.

Mel, isn't it annoying when you forget to take a pic of something. I keep wondering if you have pink glitter on you after making the pegs! Sandra would love it! :-D I must have a look at your snake now!

It was gold glitter Ann and when I washed my hands in the basin this afternoon I looked in the mirror and had gold glitter all over my forhead!! Whether it blew up on me when I put it back in the pot or what I don't know.

The little snake was sadly dead. I think the chickens must have killed it as I gave it a little shove with my foot and there was no sign of life so I picked it up and threw it over the back fence. It was right outside their pop hole just of the paving slab.

Mandy there was no chance of putting any washing out here today as it woud have been just as wet tonight with the rain we have had today. I hope its better tomorrow for shopping.

Morning all

Bright and sunny here today, but not very warm.

I see you managed to get to the beach Jane and had a paddle in the sea, your're having a nice relaxing time away. James and Hannah sound like they're enjoying themselves too. There's lots of wildlife around there, hope you saw lots of birds on your boat trip.

What a shame the little snake was dead Mel. So you were covered in gold glitter? My mum was covered in glitter the other week when she was making her Christmas items to sell for Charity. It gets everywhere, even OH had some on him after painting mum's hall and he wasn't anywhere near the glitter, so it must of been in the air.

Pleased to see you had a good nights sleep Frank, you'll feel better for it.

I hope you manage to find someone to sort out your fence Ann, you don't want to wake up to cattle in your garden.

Love the snake name you grandson chose Vera. :-) :-)

Morning Gill and all,

Yes it was a great name for the corn snake and someone has good sense of humour but I love it.

Dull again here today and its been raining and still is I think that horrid finish stuff that gets into everything and its Donkey Day and I have to do Lidl and Morrisons......

I did wonder about my little snake yesterday as I had to come all the way into the house to get my camera and thought it may have gone by the time I got back (I don't walk very fast) but it was still in the same position so after I took the two pics I nudged it with my boot and nothing so I did it again and turned it over on its back. All the time I was doing this the chickens were watching me as if to say " We've delt with that intruder already". I would have thought they might have eaten it but they were'nt interested in it at all.

Going to try and get out a bit earlier today so I can get home earlier too.

Morning All,

Now where did I get the idea of PINK glitter from?? I must be losing the plot Mel. It sounds like the fairies were not the only things with sparkle. :-) The snake must have met his end when the girls saw him then. Do they all attack together I wonder.

No rain here yet and a bit of the yellow stuff is trying to get through so I may wash the bedding now I've changed the bed. What an exciting life I lead. I have at last stuffed the yellow squash my friend gave me with bacon strips, onion and mushrooms and cubes of cheese. There is a tray of roast carrots and potato if it isn't enough for us and they are all in the oven. No idea how long it will take to cook or what temperature so I'm using a lot of guesswork. OH has already noticed a nice smell in the kitchen.

I was looking on FB last night and noticed my late sister's partner has changed his relationship status. He changed it to single after she died in February but it now says 'in a relationship!' :-0 My sister told me a couple of years ago that he'd been seeing someone else but that it was over. It's making me wonder if it really was now. If not, there's nothing wrong in him seeing someone else, but you need time to grieve and 5 months since her funeral isn't very long. Why do people need to show these things on the internet as well? Maybe men are different?

A lot of men arn't as sentimental as women Ann.

Don't knwo if the chickens all attack or just think someone has a nice worm they may like too.

Hope the lunch turns out nice and you have the right temp.

Good morning fair maidens xxxx

Brightish sort of day here, with a slight breeze. I have only been to the garage to get some shin from the freezer, so didn't notice if it was chilly or not.

I haven't opened my mail yet, so I expect to see the snake and Jane on them.

I loved to get a boat out when I visited the BROARDS in Norfolk, whenever possible I would go off the beaten track in search of wildlife. Having been stationed so close to Wroxham, being a keen fisherman, and having a rowing boat available to me whenever I wanted it. I would spend many a happy hour fishing the rivers.
I did return to stay at the BURE COURT HOTEL with my EX wife. Where I think my daughter was conceived, as this was anEaster weekend, and she was born in January.

I am like a ZOMBIE this morning, I am having to use my stick, as I feel I am going to fall over without it. I have managed to peel the potato's, carrots and swede. Any other Veg will have to wait until Ros comes back from shopping with Carolyn. The SHIN is thawing, and will be chopped up, put in a casserole, with a nice beef gravy stock, a couple of OXO'S and Bisto for a bit extra flavour.

I thought James and Hannah had gone to Grease, where in fact they are in Portugal. Which I think is one of my favourite Holiday Destinations. Conrad and Jan use to take us there most years, when they had there business in Uppingham.

Val's son came yesterday afternoon, just as it started to rain, so he didn't get a lot done. I must admit I will be pleased when it's all finished. How on earth Val will get much use of it I don't know. He has put a sloop down to the lawn, (WHAT's LEFT OF IT) with a BAR across, so she won't go over the edge. What use that will be, I do not know. :-0 :-0 :-0

Yes I am pleased we have next Sunday's lunch is sorted, now I have to sort out a Table for SIX for the Thursday of Ros's Birthday. I think it will be our all time favourite Chinese, at BILLING.

How are you and your OH this morning Gill, ?? feeling a bit better I hope. The trouble with catching a chill this time of year, it seems to hang around for ages.

Vera, I am pleased that your OH is feeling much better, and is able to drive himself about. I must admit I do miss my independence, not being able to drive. I know I only have to ask Ros to take me wherever, but that's where you loose your independence, having to rely on someone else.

Blue sky now, with a bit of sun, so the day might be nice after all. It will be nice for Jane and Chris, out on the boat trip if the sun continues to shine.

I hope you have/had a good "DONKEY DAY" Mel, and haven't forgot anything. You do make me smile, the way you talk about the "GIRLS" saying they have sorted the snake lol lol

Well I seem to have been on here for ages, so I had better go a do a few more jobs, and see about something to eat and a coffee.

Be good, see you later. xxxx

Suns out now here too Frank for how long I don't know but I am just aboput to go out now so I hope it stays fine.

Good morning everyone

Oops, just seen the time so it’s Good Afternoon everyone.

Gosh it was cold here last night. We put a heater in the lounge during the evening and even OH got up last night to put a blanket over our summer duvet. He’s usually the warm one so if he thought it was cold the temperature must really have dropped. I’m glad to say it seems a lot warmer today. It was sunny earlier but is now overcast.

Not much of interest happening here today. I’ve washed sheets, done a pile of ironing and hoovered through downstairs. I know how to have a good time ;-). If it doesn’t rain I’ll try and do a bit more work in the garden after lunch.

Frank are you a tidy person or is being untidy a man thing generally? We have 3 wooden coffee tables in our lounge. One under a window has a plant and an ornament on it, one in a corner just has a table lamp but the one in the middle of the room, closest to where OH sits has.........3 coasters, 2 remotes, 2 pairs of glasses, 2 chains for spectacles, a book, a glass of water, a tennis ball and an umbrella! Give me strength. I’ve been training him for 56 years. Where have I gone wrong?

Better go and get lunch before I explode.

Vera, I would say I am a TIDY PERSON. I do have my glass's on the side table, but things like books stay out of sight or in the bedroom. What on earth does he need A TENNIS BALL ?? does he think he is ANDY MURRAY ????

Dulled right down here now, and turned a lot cooler. I have had the heating on for an hour, to take the chill off.

Had a couple of pork pies (SMALL) with mustard and a piece of cake, with my coffee.

Shin of beef sitting in the casserole, ready to go on a low heat. I like it to cook nice and slow, as it just melts in your mouth after a long slow cook.

Anne, I don't know what it is like to loose a partner. BUT as a normal human being, I would think I would be grieving for a lost partner far longer than FIVE MONTHS. But if it is right what your sister thought. Then he couldn't have had the feelings for her, like most people would. As for advertising yourself on the WWW that just isn't right, in my opinion. I know it's over 60 years ago, but I grieved for my FATHER a lot longer than five months, in fact there's not a day goes by, that I don't think of him. Every night I say "GOODNIGHT GOD BLESS" to my Mum and Dads photo beside my bed. Am I a softy or what ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

I have just ordered TWO ornamental figures for Ros. She will be able to put them on the patio. They light up at night, can't think what they call them. !!!!

We put a blanket on our bed this week. It certainly is welcome, as the nights get colder.

SOLAR LIGHTING. I just remembered. !!!!