General Chat

Goodness Jane, you have a few hospital sessions ahead of you. I hope they all go OK. I love the card James sent you.

You don’t have much luck with your posts Frank. Having lost a few myself I know how frustrating it can be. Now I always type mine out first, either in Word on the desktop or Notes on the iPad, and then just copy it to the thread, but I know you’re not all that confident with copy and paste, so just a line to let us know you are OK is fine.

Ann, it’s good you can rebook your holiday on another date. At least you haven’t lost your money.

Gill, it’s good that you have got your smoke alarm replaced. You can’t be too careful. Ours are wired in but I think they have battery backup so maybe I’ll ask OH when he last checked them. Your poor OH getting shouted at but I don’t suppose for one minute it was personal. It’s just that everyone’s nerves are frayed and the caring professions are bearing the brunt of it. I wish our problem was as simple as an overflow pipe Gill. We don’t have a proper loft with a water tank but OH was a chartered engineer working in the water industry so he knew it was a problem for the gas people.

The BG man arrived about 1pm. He rang from nearby to ask what the situation is at home and we explained we were elderly and self isolating. When he arrived OH opened the door and left it wide open while retreating. The chap went straight upstairs to the water tank and OH stayed downstairs. With the front door open I should think the neighbours heard them shouting at each other. The gasman also wore gloves. After he left I wiped down everything he might possibly have touched.

The upshot is that the water is still running but hopefully will be sorted tomorrow. We knew it wasn’t the boiler itself which is in the uti room - it’s not a condenser AnnG. We had a similar problem soon after we moved here and BG put an expansion tank in above our very large water tank which is in a cupboard on the landing. It now seems to be the pressure valve on that tank that is kaput. I suppose there are far too many different spare parts to carry around with them. He is hoping that he will be able to get one and fix it tomorrow.

In the meantime OH reckons we are losing 4 or 5 gallons an hour and we don’t know how long it has been running. I’m quite expecting something from Anglian Water putting up our monthly direct debit. The pipe is low down in an angle of the wall so the biggest thing I can put under it is an ice cream container so I did that and I run out every few minutes and tip the container into a large builders bucket so we can save some water for plant watering. I’ve now filled 3 buckets and don’t have any more so I’m filling the watering can now and each time it’s full I water a few more pots. I have done nothing today except run in and out. Slight exaggeration as I did change two beds and do all the washing which I must now go and get in.

Oh I didn't see your post Jane as I forgot to post mine. You do have a few trips to the hospital, but hopefully the blood transfusion will help you to be less lightheaded and dizzy. It is not nice feeling like that. :-( I would see if James can take you out on a few more trips. We often say it is amazing what places are nearby that we never really see as we go straight by on the main roads. My friend put her brooches on cards and gave them all names and this one was called......THOMAS!

Mandy, it must be a bit of a novelty for the children at the moment, but as you say, that will probably wear off after a while. It's good they can at least do some school work though. That's good the children can send you their pictures and to have their easter gifts early to keep them occupied. I'd not heard of Kick before. I bet as soon as you get up Max thinks you are ready for the off and maybe walkies, so jumps up ready! lol Yes it looked awful on the tube didn't it......no social distancing there!!!

Ann I spelt it wrong it's called Kik ,the children have it on their tablets so I can speak to them ,I speak to son on too.

Evening all, Not the best of days for me.

I decided to do a meal that was in the DUN on Sunday. Sausages in mixed veg, with Red Onions and cubed potato. All prepared and ready for the oven. When I put it in the oven, I left it for 25 minutes then went to check it. The oven wasn't working, so I transferred it to the TOP OVEN. When I went to check on it, it was burnt to a CINDER. Smoke everywhere and set of the SMOKE ALARM. I opened all the kitchen windows and front door to clear the air. I put it straight into the BIN. I have now ordered an India TAKEAWAY. Should be here for 7.00 pm. I have tried to order a new element for the bottom oven but not sure which is the right one, so have sent an email to the company. I expect I will get a reply tomorrow.

I think I will have my meal and go to BED, then nothing else can go wrong, except I might fall out of BED.

See you all in the morning. xxxx

Yes, Mandy I did see all those people huddled together on the tube. I think it's silly to even attempt to do that, but I suppose if you have to get to work you don't always have the luxury of a choice.

Boris Johnson is going to be on BBC and ITV at 8.30pm so it'll be interesting to hear what he has to say.

Your OH did the right thing keeping as far away as he could from the workman Vera. I hope the problem can be fixed tomorrow. Good idea to use the water to water your pots, not so good having to collect the water all the time though. That's a lot of water you're losing, maybe you could ring Anglian Water and let them know the situation, they maybe able to help. Are you on a water meter? Is your son and DIL home now?

I haven't watched the second Belgravia yet, so thanks for not telling us what has happened Ann.

So lockdown. Maybe they will listen now.

Lets hope so Ann ,it must slow it down if people don't mix

I think it is the right thing to do but I am concerned that it may cause more panic buying of food stuffs. It’s all very well Boris saying use food delivery services but has he tried booking a slot? I’ve told OH that tomorrow he must phone an acquaintance of ours who lost his wife last October, doesn’t cope with modern technology and wouldn’t go outside for his allowed bit of exercise. I worry about his mental state as much as his physical condition so hope a chat on the phone a couple of times a week will help. Granddaughter, bless her, has already rung us tonight to check up on us.

On a selfish note, I am wondering if the gas man will be able to come back tomorrow.

Stay safe everyone.

Four days on the trot is going to take it out of you Jane. I hope you don't have to wait long after all the treatments like you had to for your script. I shall be thinking of you for the next four days. Thats a lot of running about. Sending lots of love <3 <3 <3 <3

Well oh came in from mowing freezing cold again and covered in fine grass cuttings on his back and after lunch had a sneezing session which is not like him. I think it was to do with the grass as he has cut it twice now as it was so long and if he does that the worms take it down quicker. He also tried to get the other ride on out of the lean to shed over the west wall but could'nt budge it at all. He thinks something may have got stuck on the belts that drive the blades. It means twoing it over to the house if we can and him trying to get the deck off which is how he hurt his back last year.

So Mandy you enjoyed a nice cuppa inthe sunshine with Max sniffing the air. Sounds lovely. There's still a very cold wind here which makes it unpleasent to sit outside.

Phil Pheasent is still bering his girls for their corn and I have them on short rations as I want the corn to last me a while but when he keeps asking me I just can't resist him, bless him he is a dear old sod. Its two different girls that come with him at the mo and not the usual Thrupp who has a toe that sticks up from an injury I think. She's the one usually asking me for corn so she must be laying somewhere.

Well I am closing down now and hope you all have a better nights sleep tonight and hope Frank dos'nt lose his post tomorrow.

Night night sleep tight. x

Good Morning everyone

It’s a bright sunny day here. I haven’t put my nose outside yet but it looks cold.

Our lovely young gas man rang at 7.45 to say he was on the way and is upstairs at the moment trying to get us sorted out. He has a wife who is a chronic asthmatic which is a worry for him and he is naturally concerned about taking the virus home to her. This makes him extra careful which is good for us too.

I just checked my Tesco order for 6 April and half the stuff has been removed from it. I’ll go back to it on 4th or 5th and try putting all the missing stuff back as some could be back on the shelves by then. Doesn’t seem to be any hope yet of booking another delivery.

I’ve been shutting myself in another room while the gasman is here but I think I might make my way out to the kitchen and get some breakfast.

Hope your spell at the hospital today isn’t too fraught Jane.

Take care everyone

I DON’T BELIEVE IT. Gas company sent the wrong part. Chap tried to make it fit but couldn’t. We are now booked in for Friday but if in the current situation they can’t come we will definitely be booked in as a job to be done in the future!!!

‘Good morning all. Sunny here but doesn‘t look very warm. I shall be making up baskets today as OH wants the conservatory shelf to put his heaters and tomato seeds on. At the moment he is trying to source seeds by mail. Although he does have some.
Better get on and clear away breakfast stuff. Hope all goes well Jane.

Mornig all,

Bright and sunny here too and its so good to see brightness in these gloomy times.

I thought Boris did a good speech last night.

Vera I would ring Anglian Water and tell them you have a leak which can't be fixed till they get a part and they should suspend your water bill for a few days. Don't forget our leak cost us £700. I had reported it when it happened and they man on the phone said they must have been working somewhere near us on pipes and to run the tap for an hour or so.

Forgot to post this and I have been outside and its beautiful out there. No wind at all and warm and its so quiet its errie. There is only the birds singing.

Morning all

Another bright and sunny day and it's quite warm to which makes a pleasant change.

Sorry to hear the part isn't the right one Vera, I hope they can get back to you on Friday or you could be waiting quite some time. Have you rang Anglian Water to let them know of the situation?

Has your Turkey thawed out yet Ann? I hope it has and you can finally eat it.

I think you can still go out for food if you can't have it delivered at least I think that's what it said on the news. It's really quiet here at the moment. OH was chatting with the neighbour the other day, he put his bungalow on the market last month, but said no one has been around to view it. I feel sorry for him as it's just bad timing, his property is lovely and I'm sure once everything goes back to normal it won't be long before it's sold. He said it's to quiet for him and his wife around here, they only moved in a couple of years ago, but they want to go back to where they used to live again. I like the peace and quiet and it's good for OH when he's trying to sleep during the day after a night shift. The only problem is it's to big for us now the girls have moved out and the bills are quite high with it being a single brick building. We'd like to move at some point to a more modern property with wall insulation as most of the heating goes out through all the air vents that are in this place and it's costing us a fortune to heat.

I hope all is going well for Jane. Thinking of you Jane <3 <3 <3

So you'll be busy making up your baskets today AnnG, I've just checked online and the garden centre we normally buy our toms from is closed. I was thinking of buying them last week, but with the virus I didn't bother, so it looks like we won't have any tomatoes this year, it'll be the first year in ages I'll be eating shop bought ones. What are you putting in your hanging baskets?

What have you been doing in your garden Mel? It sounds like you finally have the right weather to get stuck into the jobs now.

Well our bin wasn't emptied yesterday, so OH put it out again this morning before he went to work. Thankfully they emptied it, I wonder why they were a day late. At least it's been done which is the main thing, it was the food bin and in this sun it would of started to smell.

Morning All,

Another sunny day! Good idea to do your baskets AnnG. I am hoping there will be dozens of baby pansies from the pretty yellow one that arrived in our garden last year. I could fill my baskets with those for a splash of colour.

I hope the time passes quickly for you today Jane and that you have plenty of reading with you.

Oh no Vera, fancy them getting the wrong part! I do hope you get fixed up on Friday. These things always happen at bad times. We aren't sure what will be happening with OH's car at the garage now, whether they have closed the garage or whether he would be able to go out to collect it anyway after last night's update and lockdown. He plans to ring later to see if they are working if they haven't rung him by then.

How annoying Frank! We all seem to have things failing just when we could do without it. I hope you can get an element and the main oven fixed.

I see the tube was pretty packed again this morning with no attempt at social distancing. It looks like the stations may be closed next to stop people being irresponsible.

The Turkey is in the oven now! I think the temperature in our fridge being set to almost freezing (from summer) was why it took so long to defrost. I shall also make sure it is cooked really, really well.

How lovely to have Phil pheasant and his ladies visiting Mel. Do you collect his pretty tail feathers? Your OH will have to be very careful to mind his back if he's trying to remove the mower deck. He doesn't want to hurt his back again. OH gets attacks of sneezing from all sorts outside, even the sun, so it could well be the grass that did it.

Morning all
I am all hooked up to the jungle juice .It is very quiet in here as. No relatives are allowed in now and there are 5 empty places although they will all be used at some point.The sun is shining through the windows and lovely breeze fro one open one.

OH dear Verawhat a pain having the wrong part .Nothing ever goes without a hitch.

I wish I was outside now.. BBL

Morning all, popped in to let you know, we are both safe and sound. NO NEWS.

The weather is going to be nice all day Jane, so you could sit in your garden when you go home. How long are you there today? Good idea not to let the relatives in, although it must be quite boring for you and the other's. Did you take anything with you to do? Sorry for asking again, I don't know what's up with my memory lately, but is this your last round of Chemo or do you have more after this week? I hope after the blood transfusion you feel less dizzy.

We posted at the same time Ann. That's a good idea to put your yellow pansies in baskets, they'll look lovely dotted around with plenty of colour for you to look at. At least you have the weather to do it, imagine what it would be like for everyone stuck in doors if it was raining. I hope I haven't jinxed it now.

Pleased to see you can finally eat your Turkey. I hope your OH can get his car back as the garage could be shut for a while if things carry on the way they are. I can't believe people are still taking the tube when they can see how full it is, if it was me I'd take my chances on being late for work and take the next tube when it's not so crowded, or an earlier one if it was possible. There was talk of putting on more trains to ease the situation but I don't know when that is going to happen though.

I hope you can get your new element sorted soon Frank and hope the place you order it from can deliver it to you. Pleased to see you and Ros are okay

I've just been looking at my garden and there isn't much to do apart from a few small jobs so I'm going to leave them for now as they won't take long. I do have to re-pot some of my plants but I'm not sure how much compost I've got and I'm not sure if B&Q are open for business, it didn't say anything on their website.

Going to watch the second Belgravia now, see you all later.

I've changed my mind I'm going to do a few jobs in the garden instead of watching Belgravia, just in case it rains later in the week. I'd rather do them while the garden is dry.

I have just made up 12 baskets with mostly petunias so that is a good job done, they are in the greenhouse now and out of my hands. It was so warm out there it was really tiring doing it. sounds like summer out there with lawn mowers going (not ours).

Cynth next door has just made her visit to the food shop (i.e. Tesco). She got me a large skimmed milk but strangely it only goes to 4 April you would have thought that would have disappeared in the panic buying! She also tried to get me chicken thighs but could only get breasts, no problem though with either, we have some milk with 12 April date so I will slot the new one in before that.

Morning gone already, time seems to go quite quickly at the moment, whether it will when we lose the sun and get back to rain and grey skies I don't know. Rain expected here by the weekend which will be sad.

Cynth said there were quite a lot of people out.Not sure that some know what a lockdown is

I was very cross to read yesterday in a post by a refuse operative. they said that the food bins in whatever area they were in were 30% more full this week and a lot of the stuff was freash food still in original wrapping but past its sell by date. so all that panic buying has caused wasted food. disgusting.