General Chat

Afternoon, I was convinced it must be still morning until I saw Jane's post Lol!! I cleaned the bathroom and wiped over all the kitchen surfaces then made coffees and sat in the garden with OH, who has been out there all morning finding things to do. He is puzzled wondering why the rhubarb is not growing. No sign of it at all which is very strange. Maybe it is just too early, we are never very lucky with rhubarb. I love seeing the daffs in the garden but had no flowers indoors as the last lot I had (carnations that lasted 4 weeks from Tesco), died. so I picked a few daffs from the garden, mostly white ones, they look very pretty.

Jane yes, we are so grateful that we have a garden to escape to for fresh air. It must be really horrible to live in a flat or, even wors, a bedsit.
Sorry to hear aboy Frits's oh Hope she only has a mild dose. No doubt that means he will now get it I suppose.
we have gammon pieces for our meal this evening with Jacket potatoes and eggs and some asparagus that needs using.

Afternoon to all you lovely people.

Just to let you know both Ros and I are safe and sound. I slept in this morning until 10.00 am, Most unusual for me. I have showered and shaved, and have been sitting in the Garden, watching Ros weeding the beds. I would help but my back won't let me. That's me excuse and I am sticking it lol lol

I did see Liz has popped in. How nice is that. xxx

Simon rang this morning. He is on his Narrow Boat and at Nuneaton. He has a freezer and fridge on board, which is fully stocked, so they are in a good sake place, away from everyone. Sally has loads of wipes for wiping the lock paddles etc. Harvey rang last night. He isn't going to work, while all this is going on. CONRAD is in isolation in Spain. He says he has stocked up with food, so we trust he is safe also.

I really hope you are all safe and sound. I can see all your gardens are going to ne up to "CHELSEA FLOWER" standard. lol lol PLEASE. PLEASE, take care everyone. xxxxx

Afternoon All,

Best wishes to you and yours too Elizabeth.

Glad you are both ok Frank. Sounds lovely sitting in the garden.....enjoy!

A lovely day again and I feel much better today after having a sick headache the last 3 days. I think it must have been a bug but I'm glad it didn't develop into anything else!

Great minds think alike Mel as I am going to plant my seeds in tubs or pots this afternoon and put the front wall pots up and do a bit more pruning. My knees seem a bit better with using the exercise bike and I can do a bit more outside now which is good. I have one or two plants that are still in pots that I could plant too. No not fed up with each other yet Mel! lol. Too busy doing jobs and OH catching up with his work. Today I might even get round to starting a painting later as there isn't any cooking to do!

Did you get to see the 2nd Belgravia Gill? We think it is getting interesting now. Have you started any of your kits yet?

I think a few of our rooms need a declutter as well as a blitz AnnG and now is the time to do them especiially once the rain comes that is due later in the week.

OH has just said that Prince Charles is showing symptoms of the virus.

Jane that would be tricky with the loo with canullas in both arms! I found it a bit tricky with just one. Commando??

Afternoon all

I've been sitting in my garden all morning, until next door decided to start knocking and banging, I think he's adding some wood to his side of the fence, so there went the peace and quiet. I came in and coloured my hair as it badly needed doing, I'll be running a bath soon to rinse the colouring off, then it'll need conditioning, I should have it all done before OH is home from work.

OH had his temperature read yesterday in work, along with all the other staff, his was the lowest, so he was pleased with that. Anyone with a high temperature is sent home.

Yes, I noticed when I came online that Prince Charles has tested positive for the virus, I hope the Queen and Prince Phillip don't catch it off him, it just goes to show the virus can hit anyone.

Sorry to hear about Fitz's wife Jane, I hope she recovers from it and Fitz doesn't get it to. Happy birthday to her for tomorrow. I was thinking the same as you about people without gardens' especially now with all the nice weather we have and having to stay in doors. Good luck to James for his second interview on Friday, I'll be thinking of him. How are you feeling today?

It sounds like you've been busy with your housework AnnG. I hope your rhubarb appears soon. Your meal sounds nice, I haven't had gammon for years, quite fancy some now you've mentioned it, but don't have any in.

Pleased to hear you're feeling better now Ann, I bet you're relieved it wasn't the virus, I know I was when I was unwell the other day. Enjoy your time in the garden. I'm hoping to watch Belgravia later, if I have time, once my hair is finished. I haven't started any kits yet, I was going to start the cross stitch yesterday but ended up doing some gardening instead. I thought I'd leave the kits for when it rains again, it's to nice to be sitting indoors. I did check online how to do cross stitch, so I think I know what I'm doing now.

I see your OH has been in the hot tub Mel, are you going to get in after your work in the garden, it'll be nice to sit and relax if you do? I don't have a chance to be fed up of OH as he's always out.

OH's boss asked him if he could work on Friday, which would of been his only day off this week. Of course he said yes. They are a bit short staffed as some of the staff need time off to look after their children, now they're not in school. One nurse is working 6pm to midnight as that's the only hours she can do. The boss was pleased that OH agreed to work another extra shift. It all looks good on his report while he's on his trial, it lasts six months then they decide whether they will keep him there or not. He couldn't access his wage slip online and when he mentioned it yesterday they had his NI number wrong, he's hoping it won't effect his wages going into the bank next week. They said to try and access it again in 24 to 48 hours. Someone had put two of the numbers the wrong way round. Hopefully it'll be sorted and everything will end up being okay.

I was going to do a bit more in my garden before next door starting making all the noise, so I decided to leave it for another day when it's nice and quiet again. I could hear the children playing in their garden's which was nice to hear, apart from the football being kicked about for a while. At least they're not roaming the streets which is good.

Going to run my bath now so I can rinse the hair colouring off and put the conditioner on.

Here we are again. Eos has come in now, and I have made her a COT. I See the Coronavirus Programme is about to start on BBC 1, so will cut this short.

I have rung Harvey, Julia said, he has just popped to get his tools from where he is working, so he can do some jobs at home. Lewis hasn't been out and is staying at home with his Mum and Dad. Ros has just spoken to Conrad. Everywhere in SPAIN is in Total LOCKDOWN, so he is confined to his home. I am a bit concerned about Simon and Sally being out on the canal boat. I just hope they take extra care of themselves.

With the main oven broken I am having to try to cook in the TOP OVEN, which I have never done. I have a large Shoulder of Lamb cooking at the moment. Will have to keep an eye on it.Then I will roast the potato's and parsnips. The Veg will cook on the hob later.

Frank good to see you and glad you are both OK. Just don't go out and you will be fine.

Must be lovely this weather on a narrow boat. OK if you both get on well as it is a bit small for staying in for 3 weeks!

Annx glad that your headache has gone, sick heads are horrible aren't they? I used to get lots when I worked and put it down to the lighting as they stopped when I retired.
Did you get your seeds planted? OH has painted an old pot in sage and is going to use that to plant lettuce seeds in. Hopefully they will grow and they are last years and also we only have our own compost as we were just about to get some more from the garden centre when we went into lockdown.

Prince Charles is in Balmoral I think, Camilla is ok she has no signs. Hopefully he won'y have been infectious the last time he saw the queen. Looks as though he may have caught it from Prince albert of Monaco.

Gill have you finished your hair now, it seems like a long job.
Good for OH's report that he offers to work to help out but not so good for you I suppose.
Good also that his temperature was nice and low.
and I am sure they will have sorted out the problem with his wages, not very efficient though, should be one person does it and another checks so two people not awake.

I have still got all the Belgravia to watch. Have managed to catch up with The Good Karma Hospital but with Masterchef on 3 times a week it puts paid to watching recordings. However once the soaps stop there will be plenty of time.

I have spent another half hour out in the garden reading this afternoon, not a lot of jobs for me to do out there at the moment as OH has it well up to date.

I bet your OH enjoyed the hot tub today Mel. Did he manage to sort out the mower and get the deck off ok? How sad that Big Bertha has dropsy. Sometimes my tropical fish used to get it and sadly never recovered.

What a shame Georgette seems as if she has the virus Jane. She must feel poorly with a temperature like that. Fingers crossed Fitz won't get it but it must be a worry. No going anywhere at all for 2 weeks for him now. I hope his wine rack is full. :-) That's kind of you to send some flowers. It's good James is preparing well for his screen interview on Friday. Does he know how many others have a second interview?

Is your hair all done now Gill? I remember it being a chore when I used to colour mine. As soon as we went out in the peace and quiet the dog next door was let out and it does nothing but bark bark. Then the neighbour the other side was jet washing and filling the hot tub and mowing. We stayed out, but did jobs instead of sitting in the arbour. OH drilled holes in the bottom of 2 plastic tubs and I filled them with some soil from the old raised beds and planted the beetroot seeds in one and the round carrots in the other. OH moved some more of the soil onto the island beds we have and he cut some of the thick stems of the bottlebrush and holly to shorten them for me. I've trimmed the rest so the tops are more level. I tidied the ceanothus a bit but will wait till it has flowered before it gets a proper haircut.

We are waiting to hear the next update now and how they are going to help the self employed, OH doesn't expect he will get any help, but you never know. The new Wii remote came so I have set that up and put batteries in while OH did more notes and we will try it out later.

I know those strip neon lights at work used to do the same to me AnnG. It was far better when I became an Inspector and was out of the office more. That's a good idea to paint old pots and sage is a nice colour. It would help keep the moisture in too.

Thank you for your message Elizabeth. Every good wish to you and your family. Stay safe and well?? (Not sure why there are 2 question marks. It should have been a heart)

It’s a beautiful day here but there is still quite a nip in the air. It’s fine outside if you are moving about but a bit chilly to sit and read. I sat in the conservatory with the door open but my feet were frozen so I had to close the door, then it felt like sitting in an oven with the sun through the glass. Never satisfied am I?

My blue anemone really is a puzzle. I don’t have any others in the garden and, as far as I am aware, nor do my neighbours. I can only think it must have come in via a bird. It might have even been a few years ago and a seed has been quietly growing into a little bulb. As it happens there is a patch of blue chiondoxia right by it so the colours all blend rather nicely.

We’ll be OK with our MOT as all those after 30th March (ours is 31st!) are being extended for 6 months. I’m not yet sure whether the garage will still come and collect the car on 31st as it was booked for a full service as well as the MOT and we need to keep it roadworthy.

What a shame about Big Bertha Mel. People say they are just fish but I was surprised at how attached I got to ours. We had 20, bought when they were about 3” long but pretty big by the time we let them go. I had tears rolling down my face as I watched the van going down the road, taking them to their new home. We only named 4 of the 20. There was Oscar, the biggest and tamest. He would come when called. Sybil was named after Sybil Fawlty as she had the same sort of expression on her face, Frank had the bluest eyes so had to be named after Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, and Carrot who was named by a young granddaughter who said he looked as though he had a slice of carrot on his back. Your pendants are really unusual. No-one else will have one the same. I can’t decide which I like best.

Jane, I hope you are feeling good and able to enjoy a bit of sun in between hospital visits. I shall think of you tomorrow trying to work out how to navigate the toilet with both arms otherwise occupied. That is a shame about Fitz’s OH. I do hope she has a fairly mild dose though her temperature sounds very high. She will appreciate your letter box flowers and can maybe celebrate her birthday in a few months time.

Thanks for your WI Email AnnG. It gave me a giggle. I think we all, with the possible exception of Gill, will remember Joyce Grenfell. I could hear her reading it in her “Lumpy” Latimer voice from the piece about a school reunion. Do you know what variety your rhubarb is? At our old house I had 2 sorts. One was an early one and the other was a much later variety. Perhaps you have got a late one.

You slept well last night Frank. Let’s hope it’s the same tonight. I’m glad your family are all OK so far, though I expect you are concerned for Conrad in Spain. I’ve been a bit worried about my cousin and her husband who live there too. He is late 70s and had a kidney transplant a year or so ago, she is coming up 83 so they are quite vulnerable. I’m going to email them after I finish this post but they are not very good about looking at their emails.

I am glad you are feeling better now Ann. You sound as though you have plenty to keep you occupied. I thought I would get plenty done once we were in isolation but I seem to have done less than usual. I think I work better if I have some sort of deadline, like got to get something done before meeting friends at 11 am for coffee. I haven’t seen either episode of Belgravia yet but they have been recorded for me.

I ought to be getting on with something now I suppose. Have a good night and “Stay safe out there” - anyone else remember Hill Street Blues?

Ann I think what you are waiting for will be tomorrow.

Ooh Mel I forgot to comment on your pendant I think my favourite is the one with purple beads on it. They are very unusual.

Done some sweeping up in the garden outside my shed as moss is growing all over the tarmac and lots of bits off the ash tree laying around. Brought the washing in and ironed the lot lus a couple of bits from the last wash.

Sitting and having a cuppa now. I have been trying to get on the Asda site but they have a blip on it and you can't get through. They said at first it was high percentage of calls.

I keep getting Dartington Crystal send me emails with offers and its getting on my nerves they seem to be coming every week.

Yes, it will be tomorrow now as you say AnnG! Our rhubarb is about a foot long, so I would have thought yours would have put in an appearance by now, unless some are later than others like Vera says. Mine has travelled with me to each of my homes since I first got married aged 22. I did bring a champagne rhubarb with me from my previous house as well, but I lost that one winter.

My previous home was covered in blue Chionodoxa at the front Vera and I brought a clump with me here. I also have some that is pink which is pretty too. You have been busy sorting things out like your dishwasher and now the boiler, so that was enough to do I think. Our water meter is in the ensuite and the meter reader clips something over a black plastic bit on the outside wall. Fancy your meter being so far away from your property. It's a wonder your OH found it.

I looked at our surgery online and they have changed it so you cannot order anything ahead of the due date at all. This is annoying as I have 3 things due on different dates in April and some in May. I do wish doctors would try to prescribe so you can order everything together to save trips to the pharmacy. I tried to sign up for delivery by the pharmacy but they are so overwhelmed they are not signing any new customers on at the moment. We waited till now so that we were sure the doctor had changed one of OH's prescriptions we have just requested before we signed up for the future. :-S

We tested out the new Wii remote tonight on Wii sports. The new one makes a sound like a strangled chicken, so that kept making us laugh, but otherwise everything is working ok now. I think we will both have arm ache tomorrow.

I expect Conrad lives on his own in Spain Frank so it must be worrying. It sounds like he has provisions in and staying in should hopefully protect him now. I think if I were Simon and Sally I would rather be at home. If one of them becomes sick it would be hard to keep far apart from each other on a boat. Yes keep an eye on that lamb so it doesn't end up as cinders like the sausages! Anything large in our ordinary oven in the microwave can tend to burn on the top. I think it's because the element above is so close.

Evening all,

What a lovely day it's been again ,we sat out this morning and it was really hot we had to take our jackets off .

So many posts to catch up with but i see everyone is keeping busy ,we have had a good tidy up in the garden today and had lots of pictures from the little ones ,tomorrow we will ring them after the school work has been done ,it does seem strange not to see them .

Mel all the pendants you've made are lovely ,what will you do with the stags horn ?

Vera that was a nice surprise to see the blue Anemone in with the others ,they are a pretty little flower .

AnnG i loved the Women's Institute email very funny .

I was my sisters birthday today ,i can't remember the last time i didn't see her on her birthday ,i rang and we had a good chat and we'll have a get together once every thing has calmed down ,she said she won't forget this birthday !!!!

Just doing our spag bol.

Thanks for your comments on my pendants. You seemed to like my dragons tooth. I may do another one of those a bit different.

Morning all,

Another nice sunny day here but they forcast wind and colder next week. Not a good sign as our heating oil ran out last night. We don't have any open fire or emersion heater and its something we have not thought to do to check our tank. I rang them this morning and told them this and they are going to get to us as soon as they can. Bit akward as we have to have the small tanker to get into the garden through the wall. Good news is that oil is down by 20p a litre so if any of you need any order it now.

Good morning FAIR MAIDENS. lol lol

The Lamb cooked to perfection, and Ros said she loved the roasted Potato's and Parsnips. I did Runners,Brussels, greens, peas and Carrots for VEG.

Stay up until 10.30 last night. Slept well till 3.00 an when I wanted the loo. As I went down the side of the bed, I went down like a sack of SPUDS. Got myself trapped between the bottom of the bed, and the radiator. Ros woke with a start, and tried to help me up. Finally I was able to grab the bedclothes and haul myself onto the bed. After the loo, I slept until 7.30. Ros didn't sleep well, and finally got up at 10.00 am.

We are getting low on a few things, so Ros is going to Tesco's a bit later, and hopefully get what we need. DEAR TONY next door has been to Tesco/Morrisons, without bothering to ask us if we wanted anything. So to shame him, Ros rang to ask if he needed anything. GOOD NEIGHBOUR OR WHAT.

As I had trouble ordering and paying for the new cooker element. Harvey did it for me. It will be delivered to him, and he will arrange to come and fit it.

Another beautiful morning here, Ros has just asked if I would like to go to Tesco's with her and sit in the car while she pops in. I think I will take her up other offer. xxx

Morning Mel and all

Sunny here again today but there’s still a cold breeze. I’m just going to see what I can do in the garden for an hour. Trouble is our garage is getting full of sacks of garden rubbish to go to the tip and we can’t take it. When I wanted to pay for a garden waste bin OH said it wasn’t necessary while we could get to the tip. He’ll regret saying that when the garage is so full that he can’t get the car in.

I hope you get some oil in soon Mel. You could always keep warm by cuddling up close together :-D

Morning all,

Lovely and bright here again ,we been out doing a bit in the garden and now stopped for coffee ,it does seem a bit cooler out there today.

Mel fancy running out of oil ,will you need someone to bleed the system as you've got so low ,you might have air in the system now .

Frank enjoy your ride out in the car ,hope Ros can find alll she needs in Tesco's I think the super markets are getting back to normal a bit now , well they seem to be this way,not that we've been out .

Vera we're getting a few tubs of garden rubbish now too ,just got to store it until we can get out again .

Love to Jane and hope Fitz's OH is coping with the virus that was a very high temperature she had poor thing .

I see tonight they want people to go to their windows at eight o'clock and clap for all
the NHS workers what a marvellous job they are all doing ,they have been doing that in Italy too I see.