General Chat

Good morning all, a grey start to the day but dry so far. I think the garden had enough rain yesterday but I suspect there is more to come.
OH has gone to B&Q for a few bits while I wash the bedding. He went with all sorts of instructions including carrying a mask but I bet none of them are followed! Hopefully he will be safe.

Yes Gill I noticed Anx was not on yesterday so I too hope she is OK. Jane I am thinking of you today <3

Not sure what I have to do today, we may call round to the local garden centre for a couple of herbs as we emptied out some old herbs yesterday.

Good morning to you all,

THINKING OF JANE THIS MORNING AND SENDING LOVE> xxxx

AnninG, it would be nice to contact my "DAUGHTER" which I haven't been able to trace in over 20 years. I know you meant DOCTOR. lol lol

Had a reasonable night last night. I have had my COTs. No breakfast, so might have some lunch later. I am going in for a shower and shave soon, and put on a pair of shorts and T shirt. Then read yesterdays paper and my book.

My on My, didn't we have a THUNDER STORM last night. It started as a low RUMBLE and then all HELL was let lose. The rain was so heavy, that it was hitting the road, and bouncing onto the pavement. I bet it didn't last 5 minutes, and I doubt it did a lot of good. We need a nice gentle rain for a few hours during the night.

Ros had a phone call from her hairdresser yesterday, giving her a time and date for an appointment. As she tried to bleach her roots, she has to have a test on her hair, before she will treat it again. Something to do with the bleach in the product.

Harvey's Father's Day Present arrived yesterday. A CASE OF CRAFT BEER of all different sorts. So that will go down nicely, over the next week. Conrad and Jan gave me a pack of three. T SHIRTS. He had ordered them for himself, but he needed the larger size. Simon also rang yesterday. He and Sally are out on the Narrow Boat again. They set off last Saturday, and will be home Thursday, as Sally is working Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Eos bought a cooked chicken from Tesco's yesterday, so we will have that this evening, either will salad or Roasts and veg.

Very hazy sunshine this morning. There is so much cloud around, that I am sure we will get some wet stuff later.

Right mt dear friends, I am off for my shower. See you later.xxxx

Sorry Frank, forgot to proof read, stupis predictive text. yes I meant doctor. Please you seem a little better today but just take it easy. That is a nice lot of presents you have had in advance of Father's day.

Just walked round the garden, the large poppies and the poor Peonies didn't like the rain. In fact it finished the peonies off, they will have to be cut back now as they look awful. So pleased I took photos of them before.

I made a bee drinking place earlier in the week, not seen any bumble bees in it as yet but I did catch a photo of a thirsty snail this morning.

Morning all,

Cloudy start here but its not raining and quite bright. Don't know if rain is forcast for this afternoon.

Thinking of our Jane today and hope this dos'nt upset her too much. Sending hugs and kisses and you are definately in all our thoughts. <3 <3 <3 <3

Had a really gurgley tum last night just before bed and had to go to the loo. I think it may be the pills as my tum has'nt rumbled like that for years.

Morning All,

Dull here this morning but boy the rain again last night and thunder! That's two nights of rain giving the ground a good soaking, but sunny in the day which is just what you want. I think more rain is forecast today, but I hope it isn't at lunchtime so we can eat outside again. With doing word wheels and crosswords after lunch, we have persevered and managed for the first time ever to complete or almost complete a few cryptic ones lately. That wouldn't have happened without the lockdown!

We are fine thanks,apart from the rock lifting aches and pains! OH did ring the doc yesterday who then wanted to see him about his hoarseness he keeps getting some evenings since that cough he had for ages. He had to wear his mask (hated it!) and said no-one else was in the surgery. As a precaution she has referred him to the hospital but couldn't see or feel anything. He has started to get streaming eyes some evenings too so I am wondering if it may be hay fever causing it. I am glad he is getting checked out.

I have been busy getting on with my painting as we both needed to rest our backs and knees after the rock moving and lifting. I need to paint some more today as I now have a face with no eyes which isn't a good look! I said to OH I could always paint sunglasses, but they don't look right with a wintry scene. We did set off to another local garden centre yesterday thinking everyone would be at the shops that have opened up instead........wrong! There was a queue outside so must have been up to capacity inside, so we came back home again and may try another tomorrow. I need some bug and fungicide spray you can use on crops.

I've said what precautions my hairdresser is taking and he is hoping to open on the 4th July. My appointment is on the 14th July, but I received a colour test patch to use in the post the other day, so he is thinking ahead and removing the need to go to the salon and get one.

OH has internet meetings every day this week and I have a Focus Group meeting on line now with the research centre which will be a first! It suits me fine as I haven't been able to go to any for a while, as the place they hold them now has the carparks being dug up and building work done and it was too far for me to walk.

Frank you really should have gone to the doctor's if Ros thought you'd had a stroke. I hope you feel a bit better today.

Mel I hope you can get some different antibiotics for that bite as it seems to be getting worse now doesn't it.

It's a shame you had to go to A&E Jane, but good they didn't keep you in as you say. <3 <3 Best wishes for today <3 <3 You must be fed up with the hospital walls by now.

It seems we are all doing the right thing in being a bit cautious and wiping etc. Some friends that met up last week decided to stay inside with a door open, but an expert I watched on tv yesterday said the risk of getting the virus is 19 times greater indoors! She said it is safer outside with social distancing if you meet to chat, but take your own chair and plate and cutlery if you accept food.

That was nice to be able to see your sister Mandy. I still chuckle at Lacey asking for a Tea Party! The surprising things they say.

I don't really know the latest on this, but there has been talk of schoolchildren in some years redoing a year because they have lost the last few months and I think it was a third that have not been doing their schoolwork on lockdown. But why hold back the good children who have done their work? I feel strongly about this as I took and failed my 11 plus aged 7. (I was just told it was a test and was kept in at lunchtime to do it, so was upset and rushed through it). I coasted along doing the same maths etc and helped other children with their reading till I was the usual age 11 to take the exam again. Of course that made it hard for me at the next school as I had got used to finding everything easy for the last few years. :-S :-S

Better get lunch in the oven now and the sun is out!

I was about to start posting but the storm that’s been promised for the last two days has suddenly hit us so I am going to turn the computers off in case the leccy goes.

Hope to bbl

Yes Vera, It has come over as BLACK AS YOUR HAT HERE. Ros has been cutting back the Wisteria, I have told her to leave it, as BARRY can do it when he's next here. Will she take any notice. NO. !!! I think we are in for a BIG STORM before long. I can hear the thunder in the background,

What time is Jan's treatment this afternoon,?? I hope it all goes well, and she doesn't feel too poorly after it. xxx Ros's Mum had a real rough time of it, with her treatment, but I expect treatments are a little different to 40 years ago.

I have read yesterday's paper, and now starting my book again. It is so dark indoors now, I think I will need the rating light on.

Unbeknown to me, madam has done the veg for tonight, with roasts and Parsnips. So all I will need to do is cook it. I will carve the chicken and wrap it in tin foil to heat up in the oven.

I have had a couple of small pork pies and a coffee. I will now see if Ros wants anything.

Stay safe everybody. xxxx

Just had an hour of very heavy rain could hear thunder in the distance but not here.

went to Norton Garden centre, our small local one, very quiet there but no new plants and a bit disappointing really. I wanted Sage, Thyme and basil and they had none of them so we will have to go elsewhere for those We did buy a sedum and two Sempervivum so now have to find containers for those. Unfortunately they were left out so have been caught in the heavy rain.

Annx Hope all is well with your OH when he sees the doc. My OH sounds like some smokers in the mornings sometimes as he gets a lot of catarrh in his throat. I have suggested the doctor but he has not been yet.

I have found that our hairdresser has a facebook page so have tried contacting her on there. It says that she is not making appointments until she has a date and will then first contact all the people whose appointments she had to cancel and then work through the remainder. so we have to wait and see.

I do agree with you re schools and exams. I think there will be those who have studied and managed to progress and those who have not bothered who have not progressed. But there will also those who although they tried to study the subjects had no support at home and are not bright enough to work things out without the constant support they seceive in class. difficult for the teachers.

Mel. the upset tum could be part of the infection or the antibiotics. If that red has spread further I don't think you should leave it, you don't want to ens up with sepsis.

We have lovely sunshine, OH has just watered the large conifers down the bottom of the garden, we noticed some of the branches are going brown, we're not sure if it's lack of water or they're just not getting enough light with other branches in front of them. Being evergreen trees those branches won't go green again, but if it is lack of water then the other branches should be okay now they've had a drink..

We've had weather like you Ann, rain later in the day and into the night and lovely sunshine most of the day. Pleased to see you're okay, hope the rock lifting aches and pains stop soon. Yes, painting the eyes rather than sunglasses for your winter scene would look better lol. I hope you manage to visit a garden centre tomorrow and it's not to crowded. I'm still a bit nervous to go out as I think it's to soon at the moment. The virus is still around and not gone anywhere and some people don't care how close they get to one another, which makes it difficult for the sensible ones to shop in safety. It's difficult to know where's the safest places to go. Hopefully in a few weeks it should calm down a bit, so you should be able to go to the places you want then.

I hope the storm isn't to bad by you Vera and it doesn't put your leccy out.

That was nice of Ros to do the veg for you Frank, that'll save you a job later. It sounds like the storm is heading towards you now, if you can hear the thunder. I don't know what time Jane's treatment is, just that it's sometime today. I hope it's all going as well as it can for her and she's not in to much discomfort over the next few days.

Rang the docs and spoke to the receptionist and she's going to tel the doc and she should come back to me.

So Frank you have a day off preparing the meal tonight so only have to cook the veg and heat the chicken.

It seems to rain every afternoon here and today is no acception as it been thundering down and stopped oh mowing this afternoon. He did some this morning.

Glad your having a rest from the hard work you have been doing in the garden Ann. It will all be there when you want to get on with it again. G's cough sounds nasty and I hope it is only hayfever and something can be done about it.

Gill I can't find the valance as I have had the cupboard out with all the bedding in it. I may have it up the caravan but if I find it I will send it to you. Its brown so should go with the quilt cover as I think that has a little brown in the leavs of the roses.

Hope the thunder passed Vera and her internet did'nt go out.

Its the F & C van tonight so I may just have some chips and do myself a couple of eggs to go with them.

Evening all

Our leccy did stay on but it was one heck of a storm and lasted about an hour. It sounded as if the thunder was right overhead, though I didn't see any lightening. During the rest of the afternoon we have had the odd rumble of thunder and some heavy showers.

I hope your day hasn't been too tiring Jane. Do you now have a break or have you got another session tomorrow? Rest as much as you can and let your lovely family take care of you. Sending a gentle (((hug))) <3

I’m glad you seem to be feeling a bit better Frank but try and rest and not overdo it. It sounds as though Ros is making sure that you don’t do too much. I’m full of admiration for the way she keeps going, particularly in the garden. I wish I had her stamina. I can only garden for a little while at a time and I haven’t had as many medical problems as Ros. I take my hat off to her, or I would if I ever wore a hat :-)

I don't know if it is Genes or more likely my computer but I keep getting a Not Responding message so I am going to try and submit this post and carry on in a new one.

OH's cough finally went just after the lockdown, it's his voice going a bit croaky some days especially in the evenings that he is left with now. I tell him he's worn it out with all the chattering he does!

That's good you managed to leave a message at the doctor's Mel. I bet it feels hot as well as itchy. I know my wasp stings did that time. Hopefully you will soon get some different antibiotics. I bet it was them that affected your tum. Some do mine for the first few days and then they are ok.

I spoke too soon as it tipped it down this afternoon after lunch! We'll be getting floods next at this rate.

AnnG I have just been reading about your system of electronic repeat dispensing of prescriptions where you get a 6 month batch sent to the pharmacy. I hadn't heard of it before you mentioned it but it is available in England . For anyone else interested it says to look on 'digital.nhs.uk' and put 'explaining electronic repeat dispensing to patients' in the search box. I haven't looked myself yet but thought I'd ask you what happens, say if you needed a one off prescription of antibiotics?

Vera Wallflowers are one of my favourites for scent. I don't have them now as our garden is small, but I suppose they would be great in a large pot and also closer to the nose! I have got some night scented stock all in flower at the moment, but you have to be close to smell them. I see you have also had some of this rain! Did you finish sorting your photos? It will be a nice trip at the weekend for the birthday barbecue and see someone other than our OH's!

I think it's sensible to be careful Gill. We won't go where there are queues now as it means the maximum number of people are inside where the risk is greater anyway. It isn't as enjoyable when you have to keep an eye on everyone else all the time.

OH is watching the footie so I think I will have an early night as I was still tired when I woke up this morning.

I give up: I've written the rest of my post on Word but it won't paste on here for some reason. I have saved it so I'll attempt to post it in the morning. Night, night.

EDIT: What's happening? It seems to have now appeared

I’m glad you’ve contacted the docs again Mel. That bite doesn’t sound at all good. You can’t take any chances with these things.

The chiropody people rang today to say they are soon opening up again and did I want an appointment? I haven’t made one yet but I will ring them tomorrow to set one up as it won’t be till the 2nd or 3rd week in July.

I hope your OH’s problems can be sorted out quickly Ann. Will he have to wait long for his hospital appointment? It does sound a bit like hayfever doesn’t it? I’ve also heard an expert saying that meeting outdoors is much safer than indoors which is why we will only be in daughter’s garden at the weekend. I won’t be taking my own chair and plate etc. as it’s close family and I know daughter will be doubly careful, though I might have a small pack of wipes in my handbag in case I feel the need for a surreptitious wipe down.

The discussion about keeping children back a year is a difficult one, some will benefit, some won’t. Even the most conscientious child with good technology and supportive parents is unlikely to have been able to do the required amount of work. Can you imagine watching an online lesson with your teacher talking at you knowing that you are supposed to write an essay on what you have learnt. There is no interaction with the others and no class discussion. You have a query about something the teacher said so you have to email him/her after the lesson and wait for their reply which may be some time later. Is it any wonder if the kids lose enthusiasm? Lockdown has affected them and their mental health as much as it has ours and we have expected an awful lot from them.

OK, rant over. Ann, you must have been a genius to take the 11+ at 7! I was considered very young when I took it at 9 and went to grammar school at 10. I was a full year younger than the rest of my class which wasn’t a problem till school leaving. All my friends were 18 and going on to uni or training colleges. Unis mostly didn’t take you until you were 18, unless you were a real genius, and I was only 17. Also in those days there were no student loans; you had what I think was called a Major County Grant but you couldn’t get this till you were 18. No-one had heard of gap years then so they didn’t know what to do with me. The school suggested a third year in the sixth form which I refused as I already had 4 A-Levels. In the end my headmistress got me on to an intensive 6 months secretarial course which was designed for graduates and I drifted into office work. I’ve often wondered what I would have been doing if I hadn’t taken the 11+ early.

By late afternoon I was so tired that I laid on the bed and slept for well over an hour. I never sleep during the day so I must really have needed it. I felt better when I woke up and the thunderstorm had cleared the air a lot so it wasn’t so heavy and humid, but it’s getting that way again now so I reckon we might be in for more thunder and rain soon.

I see I have written half a book again so I had better stop. I hope you all have a good night and wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed.

I hope Jane is comfortable tonight. Sending hugs and kisses and prayers. <3 <3 <3

I rang the receptionist this afternoon and told her all about the tummy upset etc and the doc rang me back and said she will ring me again on Friday. I was taking them without having anything to eat and I think thats what upset my tummy. I have also taken them today with four hours between and after food and feel much better now. Still burping quite a lot but the redness is starting to go and its not itchy today and not as hot to the touch. So with all that I think I am on the mend at last.

We had rain all afternoon and the sky was still grey as it got dark.

I used to love the smell of wallflowers too. A sort of musky old fashioned scent. Mum loved them and we always had some but now the rabbits eat them as they are the cabbage family. Mu who sells plants down the shop usually has some bare rooted ones so I may buy some if she has them this year and put them in a pot up on the patio with some bulbs underneath. I have some tete a tete that coud go in and some nice big pots with nothing in.

Poor G with his croaky voice. As you say he must have worn it out with all his chattering.

Vera good your leccy stayed on but not so good you had the thunder all afternoon. That can give you a headache too. I used to get headaches when there was an electric storm about but don't seem to anymore.
Hope Frank gets a good nights sleep tonight and AnnG and Vera. Its a bit muggy here tonight but I think I should be able to sleep through it. We have the window open at night but that means I have to dust the window sills every day as oh always has the telly on until I come to bed when I turn it off.

Morning all,

Its a proper grey day here this mroning and no sign of the yellow stuff at all and its raining lightly.

Just having some toast so i can take my pill.

I wanted to tie in the clematis today but if it stays wet I won't do it.

Did you all get some well earned sleep last night?

Love to Jane and we are all with you and thinking of you. Best wishes and gentle hugs. <3 <3 <3

Good morning AUNTIE MEL, and all my friends.

I had a reasonable night, last night. Only got out once, and slept till 9.00 am. With the curtains drawn, and a dull morning, it just didn't seem to get light.

What sad news about our VERA LYNN passing away. I certainly bought a lump to my throat. I just loved her songs., As a child, I remember sitting on the floor listening to her singing, all the World War favourites. Another part of our history gone.

I was thinking of our Jane this morning. I hope her treatment went off well. Love nd HUG from me xxx

What are you all up to today. As for me,I will have my nose in my book,with my feet up.

Ros wants to give me a haircut (she use to be a hairdresser) but I said NO, I will let it grow, until I go to see Asha whenever they re-open.

Stocks and wall flowers were always a firm favourite, when I did my own garden. Always a lovely scent as you walked passed them.

Very fine rain here now. So it looks settled for the day.

See you all later. xxxx

Morning all

It's raining here and has been since I got up, so the garden is happy. All we need to water is the tomatoes in the greenhouse.

It sounds like your antibiotics are starting to work now Mel, that must be a relief. I've just watched the weather and it looks like the west coast is going to have rain most of the day, so that's you and me not being able to go outside in our gardens. It may even cross over towards the east as well.

I hope Jane is feeling okay today, I've been thinking of her and hoping her treatment went well.

Yes, I noticed Dame Vera Lynn had passed away Frank she was 103 years old, so a good age.

We had problems with our electric with a massive thunder storm with lots of lightening last night. I thought it best to switch my laptop off, better to be safe than sorry. Sky went off and also our set top box, not for long thankfully, so all my programmes recorded okay, apart from one that will have a bit missing in the middle with losing power. They say the thunder storms are going to be with us for a while yet along with lots of rain.

Going to get something to eat now then catch up with a few recording incase Sky goes off again. Thankfully at the moment we only have the rain and no lightening.

Good afternoon all.

It has rained almost all night and all morning and is still raining so it can stop now the garden has had enough, everything looks sorry for itself and bedraggled.
Gill yes we are forecast rain for the rest of the day, hopefully no more storms though. There was a house hit by lightening in Cheltenham yesterday nobody hurt and not too much damage thankfully. Lots of roads flooded round here takes me back to the awful floods in July 2007

Mel, pleased to hear the antibiotics seem to be working. Ooh naughty, never take them without food. Well you won't again will you? Hope it continues to improve

Jane hope all went well for you yesterday and that you don't feel too rough today.

Frank, good that you had a good night, I slept well last night too. Isn't it a good job we like reading, that and gardening has been a Godsend these past few months.

Annx The digital prescription we belong to at our surgery is called The Pathway. However, in our case (both of us), it is only the regular prescriptions we have on that. If we need antibiotics we still need to see the doctor first and then the prescription is automatically sent to the pharmacy.

Good to see you writing your 'book' on here again Vera. wonder why it went on a trip round the universe before it posted though.
I was some months under 11 years old when I took the scholarship so when I went to high school I was a lot younger than my classmates. I never eally caught up though, I believe we got extra points for being under age and i think although I was bright enough to answer the questions (only 3 of us passed in our school that year),correctly I was not mature enough to cope with the change to a different type of education.I didn't do very well at school and only got 2 O levels, English Grammar and RI! but as an adult I took and passed three more O levels, sociology, Accounts and Law and one GCSE Economics. And two A levels English Literature with grammar (combined paper) Grad A pass and Law, so the brain needed a bit longer to develop.

Afternoon All
Just checking in to say all went fine yesterday.I feel fine today.Ot is usually a few days later that any side effects will hit.
Yesterday I decided that I just had to get out as over 3 months of being locked down was just driving me nuts so first thing this morning we drove over to M&S where we met Hannah and I had a good shop.Bought 6 tops and a pair of trousers plus a good food shop.Ot was the hour for the vulnerable and there were very few people.i think the torrential rain might have had something to do with that.So I have finally had my fix :-D
Now it will be at least another couple of weeks before I venture out like that again as my immune system will take a tumble after the chemo yesterday.

Mel I am so pleased to see the Antibiotics seem to have kicked in now and all that nasty infection is getting less.
Ann I Hope OH doesn’t have too long a wait for his hospital appointment.Hopefully it is nothing to worry about.As you say hay fever could be something to do with his trouble
But better to get checked out.
Thank you again everyone for thinking of me yesterday. I looked a real honey as o am trying out something called a cold cap which is something that can possibly help hair loss.It is like a skull cap which freezes the scalp and I have to say for the first 15 mins it was really quite unpleasant as it was like having that pain when you eat ice cream!!.Bit then my head felt quite numb.It was a relief to have the cap taken off at the end of my treatment.I shall have this now each time I have the chemo.Next time in 3 weeks.
I must have some lunch and take my steroids.

Jane, great to see you on here. wow! you had a good shop and I am sure it was a real boost to your morale. So far the only 'shops' we have been in are at garden centres. You didn't fancy joining the queues for Primark on Monday then??? Awful weren't they.

I am pleased the treatment itself was ok, I know it is the after effests that are the problem so I hope they are not too bad. Yes I have read about the cold cap, hope it works for you. I can imagine the first few minutes are quite painful with it.

You take care now, come back when you are able to but meanwhile rest and TLC for you <3 <3