General Chat

YES the books have all been wiped over, I am not as silly as some of you think I am. Likewise I have wiped the bin lid handles, ready to go out for tomorrow, as I think that is the collection day being Easter. I will see if anyone else puts their bins out later. If not tomorrow, it will be Tuesday as usual.

Have been sitting on the patio reading for a couple of hours, now getting too hot, so have come in doors to cool off. I see the forecast is RAIN for Sunday and Monday, so make the most of this beautiful weather.

Ros is still gardening, well pond cleaning. Clearing all that horrible GREEN STUFF off the surface. She has found a lot of newts today, as well as more frogs, and ONE FISH that we think is from the SIX she put in last year. She said it's very colourful, so could be a Koi carp.

I am expecting Harvey up this afternoon with our shopping, if not it will be tomorrow, as he has to go to Iain Poulter's to do his garden. He is in the USA on the golf circuit, so Harvey will have the place to himself. No doubt Iain will see him on his viewer thingy, and have a chat. Talk about BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU. lol lol.

The neighbours down the road were outside earlier, so I opened the front door and greeted them, with "HAPPY EASTER" to which they replied, the same to you.

It's so quiet in the close. Nothing seems to be moving, just the odd delivery van going about their business.

Stay safe everyone. xxxx

Gill did you see that Ancestry is free over easter

Yes I would be wiping the books down too Mel. That was a good idea getting another camera for the garden. I look forward to seeing what you spot!

We are leaving things that are delivered in cardboard on the mat for 24 hours. There was a letter from a city bus driver in our local paper last night and he said most of his passengers were not making 'essential' journeys and were carrying on as normal. How on earth do they do social distancing on public transport anyway? I see they are closing parks where there are big apes (I think it was abroad). I suppose there is worry that they may become infected and spread the virus too as they share most of their DNA with us. OH told me this morning that people are being advised not to stroke cats.

I am miffed as I went online to add to my next Tesco order and I seem to have been delegated to a 'click and collect' slot instead. I suppose it's because they are prioritising those on the vulnerable list. I will just have to try to get a slot with Asda again. I would rather have a click and collect with them if needs be as know exactly where to go for their click and collect.

Jane you have nice big lawns, ideal for a bit of golf! We ate out today, although that means something different to what it used to. :-S The motorway was quiet as well and it was nice to hear the birds too, including pretty Goldfinches which don't often visit us. The Buzzards have been back though circling above the field at the back. Our disturbance is the barking dog next door. We are tiptoeing around the garden but OH's explosive sneeze really set it off at lunchtime! He is about 9 years old now so we are hoping he might get a bit deaf so we can move round the garden normally again. :-0 lol. He's even set the little dog off that is the other side of us a few times, but at least she soon shuts up and she doesn't bark at us at all.

Good afternoon all

What a lovely day it is today. Here it’s sunny and warm but with a nice breeze which stops it being too hot. I had a reasonable night and am feeling quite a bit better today.

I finished cleaning the wall cupboards in the kitchen and drawers and shelves are done but I still have several floor cupboards to do. It’s lovely having a big kitchen but it has so many cupboards and if you’ve got cupboards you fill them, don’t you. At the rate I am going I’ll finish spring cleaning the kitchen around Christmas so goodness knows when the rest of the house will get done.

It’s odd that Tesco have moved you to Click and Collect Ann. I haven’t heard of that happening to anyone else. Have they emailed you to say that’s what they’re doing? How do they know you are able to collect? You might not have transport.

Thank you for the Easter cards AnnG and Jane. Yours is very pretty and spring like Ann and yours made me smile Jane. Your email brought back some memories Ann, particularly new clothes for Easter Sunday. I always had a new cotton dress, a blazer and sandals. On Good Friday my Dad would be first up and would bring us all a drink and a warm hot cross bun with butter. It was the only day of the year when Dad would bring us anything in bed so it was a real treat.

I’ve taken a shop bought chicken pie from the freezer for tonight so I expect it will be all pastry and next to no meat. I’ve got plenty of veg to have with it. Like you AnnG I wake up thinking about the day’s meals and mentally checking what’s in the freezer and what veg I’ve got.

Right now I’m thinking I fancy a CoT so I’m off to put the kettle on. Have a nice evening everyone.

Glad you are feeling better Vera and you are doing well with your sort of the kitchen cupboards and drawers. Are you making any nice spaces in them? :-) There was me hankering for a bigger kitchen as well but I see it has a downside! I am beginning to wonder more and more if I booked the wrong thing now as I get less certain about anything these days, although I always double check something important. It is odd that they didn't let me know by email and as you say they would need to know I have transport. Maybe the grey cells are worse than I thought or there was a slip of a finger.

OH is always looking for the next meal which is a bit exhausting so I thought I would give him a basic cooking lesson. It didn't go well. :-S I thought boiled eggs for our salad would be simple for him to do. First he put too much water in the pan, easily rectified and was then going to drop them in with his hands. :-0 I handed him a spoon and he managed to gently place them on the bottom of the pan. Now there wasn't enough water to cover them, but this was apparently my fault for telling him to empty some out and not his for emptying too much out. Anyway in the process of topping the pan up, which for some inexplicable reason he decided to do holding the pan over the cutlery drawer he had left open, he managed to pour water all over the cutlery. He put the pan down on the gas and proceeded to take the cutlery drawer out into the conservatory and started emptying it out to dry everything. 'What about the eggs' I said, 'they will need watching, timing and need to just be simmering'. 'I can't do two things at once' he said and I thought that is just the difference between men and women!!!

I am the same AnnG as my head is full of meal planning and trying to keep some things in reserve in case they get hard to find.

Thanks for letting me know Ancestry is free this weekend, I might get somewhere with my tree and it's brick walls now. Thank you Mandy <3 <3

We've just had some bad news.

The home OH works in has two cases of Coronavirus, so he's home now for 14 days. He suffers from asthma so doesn't want to risk it, hopefully he hasn't got it. They provide protective clothing so if he's okay then he'll go back when he can.

Needless to say we're both in shock.

He hasn't told his mum yet he will ring her in the morning, he doesn't want her to worry all night.

I rang Sandra's phone to speak to Michelle but she wouldn't talk to me and I didn't want to tell Sandra over the phone, so I spoke with Micheal, Michelle's boyfriend who told the girls. Sandra has been texting, she said she cried when Micheal told her, but I said her dad might not have it, we'll just have to wait and see if he shows any signs over the next few days.

I hope he doesn't lose his job with having time off. Apparently 2 women at his work are self isolating for 14 day as well.

All we can do is hope and pray he'll be okay.

Sorry to hear there are cases in the Home where your OH works Gill, but try not to worry. He may not get it if he has been wearing all the protective clothing. I would think his employers would understand with him suffering from asthma and will be glad to have him back at work after his 14 days away.

Fancy Michelle refusing to speak to you though!

Thanks Ann, we're just waiting to see what happens with OH, hopefully no symptoms will show and he'll be okay, but it's a bit of a worry. Yes I was shocked that Michelle wouldn't come to the phone, especially when I said it was about her dad. She's been funny towards me since she left, but I didn't think she'd be funny towards her dad as well. I had a feeling she wouldn't answer her phone to me which is why I rang Sandra's phone. I thought it might of been better telling Michelle then she could of told Sandra instead of me telling Sandra first as I knew she'd be upset and I wanted her sister there to give her a hug. Sandra did cry, but whether Michelle hugged her I don't know.

Going to have my morning drink now, we've not long woken up. It looks like it's been raining in the night, everything's wet. I don't mind though, the garden really needed it. It's not raining now but there's plenty of clouds around and no sun.

Morning all,

They say the weather is going to break this weekeknd so make the most of it. we have sunshine at the moment and wispy white clouds you can almost see through.

Have to drop Em's eggs off today but I shall leave them outside. Have to pick up our scripts today too. Then its back to the garden and a bit more tidying.

Good morning all, lovely sunny morning but possible rain due later today. OH is off down the garden I think his job today is to refurbish the bird table.

gill, that is a shame that two people in the home are ill with the virus, I hope they both have it mildly and recover. Possibly more residents will get it now but if OH has had protective clothing (mask etc) he may well not get it. I expect it is frustrating for him though having got used to going to work and now having to stay in the house and garden. I assume he can't go out as he is in quarantine. At least you can take advantage of todays good weather hopefully and get some of the pots moved you could not do on your own.
Michelle is very strange, she probably thought you were going to say something about not seeing Sandra over Easter. Lucky that Michael would talk to you.

Vera pleased that you felt better yesterday and (typically) launched yourself back into spring cleaning. Gosh your kitchen does sound large. Glad you liked the card. And the memories! Just trying to imagine todays 10 year olds wearing little white cotton gloves out! :-D

Good morning all,

Nice SPRING MORNING here, but they do say to expect rain later. I know we could do with some, as everywhere is starting to dry up.

I had mislaid my electric drive, but Ros found it yesterday as she moved something in the garage. I was able to drill holes, in some very strong material POTS that she had bought. They were very wet, and water poured out of the holes as I drilled them. A good job done. You would think that the manufactures, would put drain holes in them when made.

Harvey has delivered our groceries this morning, and taken back a dozen Toilet Rolls, that they are short of, his Coconut Ice, and a Thorton's Easter Egg to share between them. I had ordered some Rice Krispies. The box he bought was ONE POINT ONE KILOS. That will last me for MONTHS. lol lol.

I am all showered and shaved, and I have dressed into Black Slacks and a nice Blue and White Striped shirt. Makes a nice change from "JOGGERS" and "T" SHIRTS.

I have promised myself, I will walk down the close and back, just to stretch my legs. Then it will be back to my Damien Lewis Book. It's all about the SAS and SBS, and Paratroopers doing a rescue mission in Sierra Leone, during their troubles in the 90s. So good, I have a job ro put it down.

No other plans for today. I hope you all enjoy your Easter, and STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE. xxxx

Gill sorry to see you OH is in isolation, hope he is alright. Give him my regards, and thanks for what he does for the people in the nursing home. Where would we be without people like him.

I see the SUN is raising a MILLION in donations for the NHS Nurses and Doctors.

OH drills holes in the pots for me to Frank. I've passed your message onto OH Frank, he said to say thank you and thank you to everyone else for their best wishes.

He's decided if he hasn't got any symptoms in a week he'll go back to work, they are already shorted staffed and it doesn't look good either with him still being on a trial if he stays off any longer without symptoms. He's only self isolating because he has asthma, otherwise he would of stayed. Some of the staff are sleeping there now so they don't take the virus home to their loved ones, but with the test being done around 4 days ago, it's a bit late to worry about passing it on to their families now. Hopefully he'll be okay with him wearing protective clothing, he's only concern was the staff mixing together without the protective clothing at meal and break times.

Anyway, although we're a bit worried there's nothing we can do, so we're just trying to get on and do things here while we can. Unfortunately with all the rain last night it's to wet to do anything in the garden. I did want a big pot moving but now it's wet it'll be far to heavy to move, so that can wait for another day, you can't see it unless you're close up to it anyway.

There are a few jobs that need doing around this place so we'll probably get on with those and of course I'll be checking Ancestry for any clues to knock down the brick walls I have on my family tree. Thanks again Mandy for letting me know the UK records are open for free this Easter.

Michelle hasn't spoken to any of us for years AnnG, but I thought she'd of been worried enough to take the message when I said it was important. Thanks for the picture of the Easter Card, it's lovely. I loved to hear about your childhood it sound fun

Your garden's lovely Ann, I smiled when you said it was the tidy side of your garden and had visions of the other side piled up with all sorts that you'd just moved from the now tidy side lol. I did laugh at your explanation of your OH's attempt at boiling eggs, did he manage them in the end?

I hope you keep your sunshine for a bit longer Mel, we've got the sun now so that should dry the garden out after the heavy rain last night. We had a massive flash of lightening and then a rumble of thunder that went on for ages, at least 2 minutes, then nothing more after that, just the heavy rain again. I've never heard thunder go on as long as that before.

The cleaning of your kitchen cupboards seems to be taking a long time Vera, how big is your kitchen? It must be massive. I'd love a big kitchen, ours is tiny being only 6ft wide, it's 14ft long but with all the cupboards and white goods it doesn't seem that long.

Did mt five minutes down the close, came back and sat out on the patio with my book.I got up to do something, and caught my trousers on a tiny bit of metal. It has given me the BIGGEST thread pull on my trousers. Eos said just take them off and I will see to them. So nowI am bare chested and in a pair of shorts.

I am still reading, and listening to some baby birds in Tony's tree. CHIRP, CHIRP all the time. Bless them. !!!!

Everywhere is like a morgue no noise coming from mowing, or children playing in their gardens. MOST ERIE.

Ros has pointed out to me, two trees in the garden side by side, one has bright red blossom and the other BRIGHT YELLOW leaves. They are intertwined and look wonderful

I think if we don't get the rain later, the hose will need to come out for the flower beds, they are looking very dry.

Nothing to report from this end, so will leave you in peace. xxxx

Hose been out and everywhere had a water. Darling Ros cross threaded the connector to the yap, so water everywhere. Have just ordered TWO more from Ebay.

Afternoon Everyone,

Another sunny day to enjoy so we had our poached eggs on toast outside this morning. It was lovely with a little Robin singing his heart out in the blackthorn tree just over the fence in the field. Then the 'barker' was released, not so good, and a mower started up either side, but at least with small lawns that soon stopped and the dog went back inside. The motorway was very quiet so it seems people are staying in which is good.

It's good when you get a book like that that grips you Frank and good you stretched your legs a little way down the close. What a shame that metal snagged your trousers though......you should have stayed in your joggers! At least it wasn't your leg that got gouged though. Those pots with thick bases sound just like the one OH drilled for me last week. He thought the drill would never go through.

I had to take over timing the eggs Gill, but I did make him peel the shell off one and he was surprised how fiddly it was. :-D

I think Asda have started changing their slot release times as I logged on at 11.30pm last night and their slots had already been released and all the home delivery ones had gone! I did get a click and collect one for next Saturday though and made it late in the day when less people would be around.

We had cooked boiled bacon from the freezer, new potatoes and salad today, so just the potatoes to steam with a bit of mint from the garden.

Will send a pic of my last necklace.

Evening All

What a lovely day again. I have even had my summer dress on . Long Maxi one .James and I have been playing things in the grden like quoits,and an old viling gsme where you hsve to throw bits of wood at wooden posts to knock them down. We were going to do bowls but it got a bit too hot.
I cut Chris's hair this morning :-D :-D. And even If I say it I didn't do a bad job. Chris seems quite happy so I can have another go in a few weeks :-D

Oh Gill what a worry for you both .I will keep everything crossed that OH doesn't get any symptoms and will be able to return to work as soon as possible.You will both be in isolation now.How will you manage with shopping? Fancy Michelle not speaking to you on the phone whe nyou said it was so important .

Ann I loved the pic of the tidy side of your garden :-D. I love the way you have placed all the slates and your sitting areas.We were going to get a Arbour seat last year but somehow it never happened

James is just cooking a Sirloin Steak for me.I have done Sauté potatoes . The men are having the rib eyes..Just being called so better go.

Take a look at this our niece is on it.

https://youtu.be/2OpU6T5tklc

Thank you for the lovely tulips Vera and a happy Easter to you too and all of you.

Our niece is the one infront of the windows with the blue small flat backed lorry outside.

What a beautiful day it has been. I didn’t sleep so well last night but got up feeling OK so I stripped the bed in our room and the spare room bed that I have been using for a few days and got the sheets and pillowcases washed. I also changed both king size duvet covers but I haven’t washed them yet. I think I am getting weaker in my old age as getting the duvets into their clean covers and giving them a good shake up exhausted me. Still I plodded on and got all the towels washed as well.

While I was doing this OH cleared all the muck out of the gutters. Then we had a sandwich and a hot cross bun sitting outside which was very pleasant. This afternoon we both worked in the garden. It has been neglected for a while now with OH’s mobility problems last year and various neck and back strains this year but we are gradually getting it back into shape.

Our garden is just getting less untidy but yours IS a tidy garden Ann. At least the half you’ve shown us is tidy, my mind is working overtime wondering what the other half is like. It really looks attractive. How do you keep your gravel looking so clean? Ours looks really scruffy at times.

Oh Ann, I did laugh at the saga of the boiled eggs. I had to read it out to OH. He is a reasonable cook but his timing isn’t good and as for doing two things at once........no chance. He will stand and watch potatoes boil for 20 mins but it wouldn’t cross his mind to lay the table, for instance, while they are cooking. I don’t really like him cooking because our system has always been that one cooks and the others clears up after the meal. I cook and all he has to do is load the dishwasher and possibly wipe over the hob. He cooks and I have to practically deep clean the kitchen.

Talking of kitchens, you asked the size of mine Gill. It’s a kitchen-diner and is an L shape. It’s about 21’ x 24’ which narrows to about 12’ in the narrowest part of the L. But there is also a utility room off the kitchen which has a range of cupboards, a sink, washing machine and tumble dryer and that is about 9’ square.

Gill, I was sorry to hear that Coronavirus has reached the home where OH works but don’t let it worry you too much. He may well not get it, particularly as he has had protective clothing. He mustn’t go back to work too soon. If he is worried about his job would his GP write a note to say he mustn’t work? I know someone whose doctor did that. It’s strange that Michelle wouldn’t talk to you on the phone. You must feel hurt but Sandra has texted you which is good. Btw, some months ago I saw a birthday card that seemed right for Sandra so I bought it and put it aside. Should I send it to you or would you prefer me not to send it at all?

I was thinking of you today Frank. I have a beautiful leg of British lamb which OH has cut in half for me and half is now in the Freezer. I will cook the other half for Easter Sunday lunch. When I got this lamb I said to OH “Frank would like this piece of meat, I bet he’d cook a cracking dinner with this and lots of veg”. Now he’s wondering who Frank is. I’ve told him you’re my toy boy.

OH has just done some watering and said we need a new hose. He reminded me that we bought that one on our honeymoon 57 years ago! It had a bit added to it to extend it about 30 years ago. I don’t think it owes us anything but what’s really puzzling me is why we bought a hose on our honeymoon. We didn’t have a garden or even a window box. I’m sure there was a reason at the time but I’m blowed if I can work out what it was.

OH has just called out that he has poured me a nice glass of wine so I am going to go and drink it. Have a good night everyone and enjoy tomorrow’s sun. It’s going to be cold on Monday so make the most of the good weather while it lasts.