General Chat

Good afternoon all,

SO NICE to SEE YOU JANE. Glad everything went to plan, just take things easy, and DO AS YOU ARE TOLD. (some hope) lol lol I bet it was nice to do a shop and see Hannah. How is she enjoying her www home ??

Caroline had invited us round for a COT and scones. I didn't feel like being sociable, so Ros has gone on her own. Nicola has just called, she has bought round TWO SCONES (one each) that she has just made.I will have mine later this evening.

I don't know if I mentioned, Lewis has his results from his exams. He has done exceptionally well, and might have letters behind his name for passing one of them. BSC or something like that. I have Emailed him and said we would like to buy him something as a momento, and is there anything in particular that he would like. As yet I haven't had a reply. I am so proud of that boy. He is the first child ever, in the family to have gone to University, and possible, have letters behind his name, I will certainly buy him a pint when the pubs open. lol lol

Chicken curry for tonight, which Ros will make. She always does a better one than I can do.

I see in the paper today, that a house was burnt to the ground, from a lightning strike yesterday. Those poor people, luckily no-one was at home at the time. Lets hope they were insured.

It's been a really miserable day today, (a bit like me) I just want to be left on my own, and do my own thing. The scar on my forehead is starting to irritate me. It's taking all my willpower to keep my hands off it.

Have an enjoyable afternoon, whats left of it. and I will see you all tomorrow. I hope you sleep well tonight, especially Jane. xxxx

Those poor people who's houses were hit by lightening AnnG and Frank, nice to know no one was hurt which is the main thing, but those poor people who came back to find their house burnt to the ground must have been devastated, what a shock that must of been. I hope they didn't have any pets in there, it doesn't bare thinking about does it?

I've not heard of those cold caps before Jane, I hope they work and you don't lose your hair. Apart from that it sounds like everything went to plan. I hope you don't have to many side effects over the next few days. It sounds like you had a great time shopping with Hannah, that's the best medicine for your mental health, good idea not to do it to often though, if your immune system isn't up to par. Rest up and take care <3 <3 <3

I hope the flooding isn't to bad by you AnnG, the rain is even heavier here now, but thankfully no more thunder and lightening, it was a bit scary last night when the electric was playing up, we had a torch ready just in case, but thankfully didn't need it in the end.

Congratulations to Lewis Frank, how proud are you now :-D :-D I wonder what he'll pick as a present off you and Ros, you're both so thoughtful, I can see how much you love him. Enjoy your scone later and remember to leave your scar alone, it'll heal quicker. So it's chicken curry courtesy of Ros, that'll give you a night off. ;-)

O lovely to hear from Jane and she has had some retail therapy too. She'll enjoy wearing those new tops and slacks. I had'nt heard of the cold cap either so thats a new one on me too.

Well it has rained all day here and I don't know if you remember me telling you that a neighbour bought the field next to us a couple of years ago and cut down some huge conifers along the side of his garden to open out onto the field. He piled two big piles down in the field opposit out garden and said he would burn it in the winter then the spring. Well today was the day. There was no wind at first and then later the breeze came up but none of the smoke came over ours. Oh was worried it would come our way with lots of ash and go in the ponds but it been ok. They started them thismorning and they are still going now. Em next doors brother has done it forJim and Jane and he is going to farm the field for silage so it will get three cuts a year after being ploughed and seeded so it should be quite nice.

I have cooked the rice for tonights dinner, chinese with oh's special fried rice which he cooks beautifully. The other bits go in the micro so day off for me cooking wise.

Evening all,

Well we seem to have got away with the thunder and lightning the last few days ,we have had a very wet morning but this afternoon we've sat out and enjoyed the sun shine .

Jane so nice to see you popping in and to hear the treatment yesterday went ok ,i hope the side affects won't be to bad for you .
I remember seeing them using one of those cold caps on a television programme a while ago and thought at the time brrrr but if it's going to help keep your hair you've got to give it a go ,how long did you have to wear it ?
That was a good shop yesterday :-D

Mel that's good your arm is now beginning to feel better ,it does take a while i suppose for the tablets to start to kick in ,who would think that a tiny little tick could cause all that nasty swelling in your arm ,i'm glad it's now on the mend .

Well done to Lewis you must be so proud of him Frank ,i wonder what he will think of that you could treat him too .
Enjoy your scone later ,we had Chicken Curry tonight too.

Ann i hope OH soon hears from the hospital about an appointment ,i find my hay fever gives me a dry throat so hopefully it's the same with him and it's nothing to worry about .

Yesterday when i went to boots i called into a charity shop only because there was no one in there if there had been a queue i wouldn't have gone in, i bought six pretty tea cups ,saucers and tea plates all for £2 !!!
I thought it was just the thing for Lacey's afternoon tea :-D when they done with them i can take them back for them to sell again .

I can see i have tiny cues and tomatoes now in the green house and the radishes are coming through now also the Lettuce but no sign yet of the spring onions .

O I forgot to congratulate Lewis on his achievemnet. He's such a good lad. I wonder what he will ask for his present.

We've seen him grow up hav'nt we? He feels like one of our thread family. xx

Evening All,

More heavy rain today and some thunder. We watched the little birds darting from cover under the shrubs to look for grubs etc while we had lunch. The tall hedge in the field had the usual Pigeon occupants at the top, even when it was pelting down with rain.

No sign of a genius here Vera, but it sounds as if you were! I was at a tiny village school, 2 classes of about 15 with us all doing work at different stages. I think they just gave me the test because I could do all the maths that would be in the test and could read quite well, nothing more than that. My parents had no interest in education, I was told by my father as soon as I went to grammar school, that I wouldn't be going to university and this was repeated when I passed 9 '0' levels all at once. I had been naive enough to think he would change his mind if I did well. So I left as there was no hope and I had virtually nothing but my school uniform to wear and much pressure to be working and paying my way! Educating girls was a waste according to him and needing to do revision meant you 'weren't up to it'. He tried to stop me doing my homework too till my mother intervened, but wouldn't let me do it in a quiet room as the light would waste electricity. :-S I feel sorry for those in similar situations or who are fearful at home as I was, but not for those who just waste their opportunities. I am a July baby which meant I was always the youngest in my class. As you say, who knows how things would turn out on a different path, but I couldn't have had a wider range of work and experience of life with the path I did take. Enough of me and my miserable early past, it doesn't pay to waste much time dwelling on them, now and the future are what matter. :-)

We tried another, bigger garden centre after collecting our prescriptions, but there was a long queue so away we came. I will order what I want on line I think.

I hope you get another reasonable night Frank. Your Ros is a wonder to me with all she gets done too. Is she still knitting for the baby and sewing the scrub bags as well as all the gardening?

I finished my painting and have sent a pic. It is 'loosely' based on a photo of me aged 19ish. It had to be 'loosely' as I find it so hard to get a likeness. :-) Next I can start the felted mouse at the weekend as I have an on line photography session in the morning and a zoom meeting with friends in the afternoon and need to do my Asda order as well. It seems to come round quicker each time.

That's good your arm is beginning to get better Mel. Yes, I can get a day or two of tummy cramps, even taking antis with food, so you should be ok now. I bet you are glad to see some improvement.

We had trouble with SKY last night Gill. It suddenly froze and the colour went bluer and milky which hasn't happened with the colour before. I thought it was another of the tvs gone wrong at first but when I switched it on later it was back to normal. It must have been the storms I think. I hate the lightning when the thunder is straight after as I know it's close then.

Hubby was told he will have his appointment within 2 weeks, the standard time for urgent referrals Vera.

Is it the longest day on Sunday..........the year is whizzing by?

Good to hear from you Jane. I hope the cold cap helps. It sounds as though you enjoyed your bit of retail therapy.

When we were going through our photos recently there was one of me with our new born granddaughter. I am wearing a pale blue top. I am still wearing that top and that baby granddaughter will be 23 tomorrow! I really must get some new clothes but I absolutely detest shopping.

I thought I would brave the shops today - first the bank to deposit a cheque, then Roy’s for some compost and a couple of other bits, then Sainsbury’s for bread and milk. The bank was fine. I walked in, popped my envelope in the Quick Deposit box and walked out. Roy’s had a queue up the road outside so we gave that a miss and went to Sainsbury’s. The queue there was going round the car park. I couldn’t face it so we came home. What a waste of time.

Well done to Lewis. You must be very proud of him Frank.

It rained really heavily during the night and we’ve had showers on and off all day. It still feels very heavy and humid

We’ve had those big military helicopters flying over several evenings running. It’s always at about 6 pm and usually there seem to be 3 though tonight I saw 4. They are really loud. I assume it’s some sort of training exercise, probably flying from Wattisham which is quite close to us.

I’ve had a headache all day but it has been getting worse during the evening so I’m going to close the computer down and rest my eyes. Sleep well folks.

Morning all,

Another greyish day but there seem to be brighter patches. Ita not raining yet.

Doc is going to ring me today but I don't know about what time.

Nothing to report but I dreamt I was having to go somewhere and catch a train and be taken by car to the station but the driver turned up and had a sleep in our bed and when I went in to see if he was awake and looked out the window there was a little drum shaped pear tree covered in huge pears and as I looked they all fell off at once so I had to rush around there with an apron on to gather them up before this heard of guinea pigs ate them. Came in the kitche and mum said I would be late for my train if I did'nt go now. Then I woke up.

A lovely picture Ann and yes I recognised it as the photo of you on your pony. You are vry good with that brush and I hope you get some where with it in the competition.

Morning Mel, morning all,

Sun shine and showers here today and down it came just as I went to hang the bath sheets out .

Ann I love the painting and hope it does well in the competition ,your a very good painter ,how long did it take you to do ?

Mel what a strange dream :-D the bit where the guinea pigs turned up made me laugh.

Not a lot happening here I've hoovered through and cleaned the downstairs bathroom ,done a bit of ironing and now stopped for coffee then I'll find another job no doubt .

I meant to say Ann I looked at the felting the lady did of the Owl the other Sunday and saw she was going to do the mouse ,I must remember to watch again .

Good morning Mel,and all.

Horrible rainy weather here. I said to Ros. It's here for the day, by the look of things.

I haven't heard from Lewis as yet. So will give him a ring. Eos thought a nice pair of CUFFLINKS would be nice. (Does anyone use them these days ??) I can't remember the last time I did. I have gold, silver and various others in the wardrobe,just sitting there.

Ann, I was like you as a youngster at school, I was like a sponge. Anything to do with maths, I was there and excelled. General knowledge was another subject I just couldn't get enough of. In those days, we weren't given homework, but I use to ask the teachers to set me some. As for further education, that was right out of the door. I left school on my 15th birthday 22nd December, and started work on December the 27th as a trainee Wood machinist on ELEVEN PENCE FARTHING an hour for a 48 hour week. From that I paid me fares, and my board, so left me with sod all.

Vera, You mentioned ROY'S. When in the RAF for National Service I was stationed at OLD CATTON, Norwich. As a very keen fisherman, I spent many hours fishing at Wrexham. There was ROY'S of Wroxham, that owned numerous shops there. I assume they are still the same ROY's now.

That was a lovely dream Mel, what a pity you never got to the fruit before th Guineapigs. lol lol

I am getting emails from people, asking about the funeral arrangements for Jean, who lived opposite me. How or why, I should know, I just can't understand. She was just a neighbour, who we rarely spoke too.

Nice to see our Jane popping in. I do hope she makes a good progess after her treatment. xxx

Those Helicopters are the CHINOOKS. They are so big, and the noise is almost deafening. At one of the bases I was stationed at had the "V" bombers, when a squadron of those took off the ground literally shock. There were lots of those bombers around in the 50s and 60s With the cold war going on. I am pleased to say, I never got involved in anything nasty, and never left EAST ANGLIA. Whereas some were lucky enough to be sent to far away places, such as the Christmas Islands, in the middle of the South Pacific. My brother Ted, was posted there with the Royal Engineers. He was a STONE MASON, and built the first and only church on that island.

I think I have rambled on enough this morning, I will leave you to enjoy the rest of your day. xxxx

Morning Mel, Mandy and all

It was sunny when I got up at 8 am but it’s now grey and windy and I can hear thunder rumbling in the distance so I expect it will be raining again soon.

I thought I could hear thunder in the distance around 10 pm yesterday but as it got louder I realised it was the four helicopters coming back. I think they are Apache helicopters flying from Wattisham but they have been coming over all week now so I wonder what’s going on.

I’ve done much the same as you this morning Mandy. I’ve hoovered through and cleaned our en-suite, but I am still in my dressing gown.

What a weird dream Mel. I wonder what meaning one of these dream analysts would find it that.

Ann, what a smashing painting. I hope it does well in the competition. You must have been front of the queue when they were handing out artistic talent. You are so clever.

That cold cap doesn’t look all that comfortable Jane. It’ll be worth it if it minimises hair loss and if it doesn’t help, well no matter. I’ve been told by ladies who have experienced it that their hair has grown back better than before.

I must go and shower and get lunch. OH wants to take the car for a longish run and I’ve told him he’s got to wait till I’m ready as I’m going with him so I must get a move on.

You posted while I was typing Frank. Yes it is still Roy’s of Wroxham. They have a branch in our local town.

The helis could be Chinooks I suppose, in which case they are coming from somewhere other than Wattisham which, I think, only flies Apaches

Definitely going to shower now before OH gets tired of waiting for me.

Good afternoon all, drizzly wet all morning here so OH has had a wet morning at golf. apparently the 9 hole course is closed as the brook once again burst its banks.

Frank was it the Christmas Island where they tested a nuclear bomb? Or have I got the wrong place. when I worked at RAF Henlow our WO had leukaemia and he had been on the island where the bomb was tested.
I suppose people might think that neighbours have been informed re the funeral, their best bet is to contact the undertakers if it is known who they were.
I don't think many shirts these days are made with the double holes for cufflinks, or at least only expensive ones. Our son sometimes wears them and My OH if he can't get away without them (such as when he gave our daughter away.
Well done Lewis to have done so well.

Annx I love the photo but had not seen the picture before so didn't realise it was a self portrait, You are very talented, the face is very life like and not many people can get the eyes right. I do hope you do well in the competition.

Mel, what a strange dream and it must have been vivid for you to remember it. I do dream a lot but only tend to remember the horrible ones.

Vera, we get the Chinooks here being near a barracks, I love them and can distinguish them easily before they are in site. Should add, being near the local airport we get lots of helicopters overhead besides the military ones.
I hope you managed to chase your headache away and feel better today.
So frustrating that even when we can go to the shops there are the inevitable queues. Although with garden centres we have been lucky and not had to queue once in the 6 times we have been.

We think we saw a stoat run across the top of the garden this morning. It definately was'nt a squirrel or a rabbit. Come to think of it I hav'nt seen any rabbits up the border lately so I hope it was a stoat as they will get rid of my rabbit population quickly.

Then when I fed the big girls on the way back to the house I saw the Heron fly over. Forgot to tell oh as they sometimes visit our ponds which is why they are both netted. Mine especially as they have taken my fish before. Mine is netted on the top but oh's is only around the sides since we had a visit from an otter some years ago which ate nearly all my fish and bit the heads off others and left them around the garden for me.

Was'nt that painting good of Ann's she's a clever girl with that brush of hers.

Going back to the chinook helicopters, thats what my BIL works on. The hangers where they work are spotlessly clean and all the worker tools are as clean as the workshop.

That was interesting about your brother Ted Frank. I did'nt know he was a stone mason. A very rewarding job I should think and he must have been artistic to do a job like that.

Hope you enjoy your outing Vera. It'll be nice to get and about for a bit.

Sending love to Jane and hope she is not too ropey yet and we may here from her today. That was a lovely clear photo she sent us do you think it was taken on her phone?

Oops missed you Vera, you posted while I was typing. Hope you enjoy your run out. you wouldn't bother if you lived here as it is not nice at all out there.

Mel, Gosh with Stoats and hungry Herons you need to be alert, can the stoat get to the chickens> Would it harm them.
Our Grandson and his wife and Inara (she is four today by the way doesn't seem possible). Have just had 6 eggs in an incubator but only had two hatch. I think they are going to try another batch. Inara loves the baby chicks.

Afternoon al

Raining here again today and very dark. It was dry earlier so the nice tall conifer I have in a pot has been turned around, part of it was dying with the light not being able to get to it, so hopefully it'll be okay now. After it was turned around I fluffed the branches up a bit as it looked wonky and was surprised to see a birds nest about 4 foot up the tree, luckily there were no eggs or birds in it, so I took it out and threw it away. As I was fluffing up one of the branches I accidentally broke the top off, so I've made three cuttings from it, which are on my kitchen window sill. If they take like the other five did I'll have some lovely yellow conifers in a few years time, six it all including the mother plant, so that's something to look forward to. The other cuttings are starting to look good now, almost six years later. I popped a cutting in the ground outside, not sure if that'll work though, but if it does it'll look lovely to, once it's established.

Love the photo of the painting you did Ann, I to haven't seen the photo, but it looks brilliant, you are very clever, I hope it comes somewhere in the competition. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

The cold cap doesn't look very comfortable Jane, but if it works it'll be worth wearing it. I hope you are feeling okay today.

That was a lot of detail in your dream Mel, I wonder what it all means.

I don't think cuff links are worn anymore Frank, maybe you could buy him a signet ring, would he wear one of those?

I hope the weather stays dry for your outing Vera and you have a good time.

Your poor OH getting wet playing golf AnnG, it sounds very wet if the 9 hole course is closed.

Gill yes it is very wet here, parts of Gloucester had bad flooding yesterday although we are ok here, one main road (the A46 was like a river.

Be good if your cuttings take then.

Don't you have to take conifer cutting with a heal??????

I did one years ago when I was very young and it took and mum planted it by the pond where she lived in Redbridge. I took it from the lady who lived at the bottom of our bungalow in the bungalow that backed our garden as mum lived on a corner. Mrs Almroth. She had an unmarried daughter who gave me her jodhpurs and long brown riding boots and some leather gaiters which were much too big for me.

Doc has'nt rung yet but we have been out for mower petrol and I put, or oh did , some deisel in the car too. Thats the first lot I have bought since going to Morrisons station before lockdown all those weeks ago.

I want to clean the big girls out as they really need it and it is'nt raining at the mo in fact we've had quite a bit of sunshine this morning with a shower as we went out at about 1 ish.

I was thinking it might need a heel Mel, but I cut it off as I didn't have the heel last time I took some cuttings and they took really well. I'm not sure if the one I've put in the ground will take though, so I'll keep an eye on it and keep it watered if the rain stops. The other's will be looked after inside until they are big enough to re-plant, then if it's not to late in the year they can go outside. If it's to cold I'll keep them on the window sill in my kitchen until next spring. The last lot of cutting I did were in November and did okay inside over winter. Both lots of cuttings have been accidents with me accidentally pulling the branches to hard. Never mind, I can't complain at new plants can I LOL. If these work I'll end up with seven conifers instead of one and all for free. :-D :-D :-D

Hope the doctor rings soon. You've done well with your diesel. Hope the weather stays dry so you can clean the big girls out.

Pleased to see you're okay and not flooded AnnG, it must be a worry for those living in flood prone areas though especially with all the rain we're had lately and more yet to come. I hope it stays dry where you are when the next lot of rain arrives.

It's stopped raining here now and the sun is trying to come out, still a lot of clouds around so I think we may have more rain later. At least I don't have to water over 500 pots thanks to Mother Nature doing it for me. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Evening All,

Another showery and windy day. It doesn't know when to stop now.

A busy day with a 2 hour zoom session on photography this morning ......very useful and I got the name of a free site where I can make my videos small enough to email. The ones I had tried said my videos were still too big to use their software. Then I entered the painting plus a few of my photos. This afternoon another zoom meeting with some friends and now I have the Asda order to do but feel so tired I might leave it till tomorrow.

I think Mandy asked how long the painting took me which is hard to say, but I must have started sketching it at the start of lockdown. I started painting about 3 weeks ago in short stints at first but would think in hours it took about a week. I am not confident enough yet to be bold so proceed with caution and small steps! Vera I dropped art at grammar school as soon as we could after the first year and never did any till a few years ago when a lovely friend we had on the thread then called Maureen who painted kept telling me to have a go so I did. I think it is as much about not wanting something to beat me as it is talent!

Frank please pass on my congratulations to Lewis! He has done so well and all with doing a job at the same time and doing well there too. Has he decided what he will do next? I was like you starting work. I got £5 a week, my mother took half for board, but I still had to buy my own shampoo, clothes etc and travel cost to work. I saved up and bought a foal, paid 7s 6d a week for grazing and then saved up first for a bridle, then a saddle. I couldn't afford records till I got married!

As I said in my email Jane I thought cross channel swimmer when I saw your cap! It's worth the discomfort if it works though. I hope any effects from the change of chemo will be mild.

I remember you sending a photo of a stoat once Mel. They are so quick aren't they. We have seen the Heron flying in the back field yesterday and today and there are two ponds there that have lots of frogs. I wonder if they are all feeding young now. I bet you were chuffed when you were given that riding gear! I had an old riding hat given to me that was faded, but I still loved it.

Gill that is a job and a half watering all those pots! You seem to do well with your cuttings. My few pinks I tried seem to be growing so I want to take some more cuttings from the others.

One of my friends got a shock when shopping for food. A woman was going the wrong way and towards her, so she told her nicely and the woman just carried on and said she didn't believe in the virus anyway so didn't care! Our local paper today says there is a spike now in the city so I wonder if they will lock the city down again. There were demonstrations held there recently and crowds so I wonder if that is a cause.

AnnG by the sound of it we got off light with our large puddles on some roads. Inara's growing up fast isn't she. I wonder if she is still a little livewire.

Well I'd better get on with this order while I can as the internet had a break this morning.