General Chat

Good afternoon to you all, SORRY I wasn't around yesterday. I felt like nothing on earth, with a horrible headache, and pains in my right leg. So all I did yesterday was sit and sit a bit more. lol lol

My dear Ros had a letter from the hospital yesterday, confirming her appointment for an angigram (heart X-rays) at 10,00 am Monday morning. Carolyn has kindly offered to take her. She has to take an overnight bag, in case she bleeds to much. What are they going to do to make her bleed. ?? All being well Cvarolynwillcollect her later in the day.

Simon and Sally called over yesterday afternoon, with my Father's day card. NO PRESENT, as he is going to take us out for a nice Sunday Lunch when this shutdown in over. I had already received my Case of BEER from Harvey, and three T shirts from Conrad. SO WHOSE A LUCKY BOY THEN ??

I have a nice leg of Lamb for dinner tonight, New potatoes from "RINGO" a neighbour across the road, fresh peas which I podded this morning (that bought back some childhood memories) Sitting under the rose arch with the peas, shelling them for Sunday lunch. Baby carrots, Cauli, runners and Brussel Sprouts. I don't expect we will eat much before 6.00 pm.

Ros spoke to Conrad this morning in. He booked a flight back to Spain,and left home at 1.00 am in a taxi to Heathrow. His flight was around 4.30 am. It cost him £200.00 for the taxi fare. When he went to book in he was told that ONLY Spanish Nationals were allowed through their borders. SO HE COULDN'T FLY. He then got trains from Heathrow to London then to Exeter, and the local train to Paignton. arriving home around Mid-day. Ros asked if we could come down on Tuesday for a few days until he goes back next Saturday. NO. he said no-one will be allowed to stay, until the PATIO is done. The last thing he wants is another accident like I had.

Where do you think Ros is ??? YES in the garden. Barry rang this morning to say he will be here Friday, to do the lawns and trim the bushes. That will be just right, as I have "GREEN THUMB" doing the treatment on Tuesday. You then have to wait three days before you can cut the lawns.

Have spoken to my SIL this morning. Everything is fine with her and the family, and as far as she knows my Sister is still the same.

Thinking back to all that wonderful sunshine. Ros missed most of it, as she was making all those SCRUB BAGS for the hospital. Her final total was 405 scrub bags, 75 face masks. I am so proud of her, and the things she does for the community.

Time I got showered and dressed, and got the rest of the dinner ready, and made the Yorkshire and Cheese sauce.

Take care all, xxxx

Morning Mel, Mandy and all (well, it was morning when I started)

Grey and windy here with some drizzly showers. OH went out for his walk early this morning and came back soaked.

I felt OK last night so decided not to go in the spare room but to sleep with OH in our bedroom. It started well but he woke me at about 1 am with some really loud snorting and after that every time I started to drift into sleep there would be another loud noise. At 2.30 he managed to wake himself with the noise he was making and heard me mutter "Oh, for goodness sake..." so he took himself into another room. But I couldn't settle after that and ended up reading for a couple of hours. So I now have a real sick headache that I am sure is only caused by lack of sleep. I think OH might have mild sleep apnoeia (? sp?). His sister has it much worse so she has to wear some sort of mask thing when she goes to sleep. Anyway I hope you have all had a good night.

Mel, I remember the smell of that mash of peelings etc. What I can't work out is why my Mum would have been cooking it up as we never had chickens. We always had a cat but our cats were fed on oddments of fish. I used to be sent to the fishmonger to get "six pennorth of pussy pieces". Can you imagine the sniggers if you asked for that today? They used to be boiled up in an old saucepan and stunk the place out as well. And then there was the smelly fish glue my Dad used whenever he was making something. It came in a slab like toffee and had to be melted on the stove and it really ponged. Our house must have stunk to high heaven at times but I expect everyone else's place was the same.

I started this ages ago and then had a phone call and we talked for an hour and a half. It was my oldest friend. I've known her since I was 4 but I was 9 before we became really close friends. We don't get to meet up much these days but every so often one of us will ring the other and we always have plenty to talk about.

Ann, you asked about my penstemons. The cuttings I took and planted in troughs are a good size and look healthy but aren't flowering yet so I still don't know what colours I've got. The ones in the garden and in a couple of troughs down the side of the house are just coming into bloom but I already knew what they were.

We had a lovely day yesterday. We had a light, early lunch here and then drove to my daughter's, about 45 minutes away. We sat in the garden with daughter, granddaughter, grandson and fiancée, and a friend of my daughter, which meant 7 of us rather than 6 but we could all keep a distance. Later on she barbecued enough stuff to feed about 30 - chicken drumsticks, home made burgers, sausages and marinated pork steaks with a few veggie burgers and sausages. She did corn on the cob and vegetable skewers, salads, rolls etc. and had a big platter of fresh fruits and birthday cake to follow. Granddaughter is a vegetarian and I am not a big meat eater so only had a burger. Granddaughter said how much she had enjoyed doing something "normal" for her birthday, though as we went to leave she got up with her arms outstretched and then said "Oh, it's not normal, I can't hug you". Her degree from uni depends on several pieces of work and she is waiting on one final mark before she will know whether her degree will be a First or a 2:1. Her film she had to make, her performance and stage work, and her dissertation have all been graded as a First so it's all hingeing on the last mark which she thinks might not be so good. But a 2:1 is a good degree anyway. We are very proud of her.

Well, I must end this as I am expecting a Tesco delivery at any moment so I will be on the wiping down and then later it's the family quiz on Zoom. This may be the last one as a couple of families have already had to drop out as things have eased and they have gone back to work and school. Btw Ann, Zoom have today sent me that email that you had forwarded on to me - the Host Like A Pro one. It's a bit late now as I did my hosting 2 Sundays ago!

Sorry AnnG and Frank. I missed you while I was typing.

I hope Ros gets on ok at the hospital tomorrow and doesn't have to stay in .

I don't think your are allowed stay at other peoples homes any way yet Frank and you don't want to be tripping down again on the rough ground .

That was a very costly journey for Conrad only to have to come all the way home again ,you'd have thought he would have checked if it was all ok for him to enter Spain

Oh dear Vera and you had nodded off too when OH started snoring ,if he hadn't you might have got a good sleep in .
What a feast your daughter put on yesterday ,i miss the hugs with the grandchildren as we always get a hug when they come and when they go :-(

It's really brightened up here now with sunny spells so i've hung some washing out it will save doing it in the morning when i need to shop and wipe down .

How on earth can Ros think it is ok to travel down to Devon and stay a few days when we have been told we can't stay in anyones house!!! and after having an angiogam the day before????? I'm sorry But that would be a no no even if the patio was finished. If you had'nt gone the first time you would'nt have had a bad cut on your face needing 12 stitches. These headaches could be because of that too. Not only is she putting herself and you at risk its putting people down here at risk too. There will soon be another outbreak somewhere because prople are out and about again you see mark my words........

Sorry you had a bad night Vera. My oh snores and talks in his sleep and he sleeps badly too. That sound like great fun at the BBQ Vera and plenty for everyone to eat. Must have been nice to see them all.

Anng yes I know the churches have been locked but the ringers would have to stand quite close together in the tower anyway. When we rang we would go to the pub after and have a drink but all thats past us now as we both don't ring anymore but I like to hear the bells and we can hear Shebbear, Black Torrington and Sheepwash's three from here when they ring with the wind in the right direction.

Well I once again upset my tum this morning by not taking a glass of water with my antibio pill. Had a gurgley tum again and have been to the loo three times now. Will I ever learn? :-(

Mandy it must have been really nice for Colin to see the grandchildren today on Fathers Day but not so nice that you could'nt have your usual hugs.

Hoping Jane is having a nice weekend whatever is happening at hers. Sending hugs and wishes. Hope this new chemo is'nt upsetting you too much. <3 <3 <3

Evening All,

Absolutely right Mel, it would be bonkers! After an angiogram Ros should take it easy and the advice is to walk around the house for a day or two, not to drive hundreds of miles! Wasn't that nasty bump on the head enough to make you think twice about going this time. The advice to follow is still where you do meet others you must meet outside where there is 19 times less risk, not stay overnight or for a few days. They are trying to stop people taking the risk to places like the southwest as Mel says.

The total number of cases in the city near here since the start of the outbreak was about 1.500 in total.........till a fortnight ago. Then came the protest and religious gatherings and we now have a further 600 cases in just the last fortnight. The lockdown could be eased far more quickly if everyone just followed what they are asked to do.

I awoke to a sweet sound this morning.........the hoover being pushed around and not me doing it! :-D I cleaned the ensuite and dusted the main bedroom and then lunch arrived which was nice again. I watched the snail video after all and decided I might make a smaller one. Then the delivery arrived so that kept me busy with a cloth for three quarters of an hour. We got 3 substitutes this time, a fish pie which I wouldn't like as I'm not keen on prawns and hate smoked fish. OH said he will have that and we got cottage pies instead of shepherds' pies and I don't like beef, so more for OH again! Disappointed that we were given out of date dauphinoise potatoes and a clearly mouldy carrot in a bag. I might let them know about those. Anyway isn't it a relief when it is all wiped and put away. Good luck with yours tomorrow Mandy! Those were some nice gifts for Colin from the family. I wouldn't mind getting those. I bet the children miss the hugs too, especially the little ones.

The cues seem to have picked up again and have 6 inch little cues at the bottom now, there are a few small green toms and the courgettes are in flower.

Yes that young man was lovely with the kitten wasn't he Mel. I couldn't believe how she was let loose in strange places where he camped but didn't run off at all. Yes at least you know the reason for the gurgles and that you need to take more water with it!

Sounds like you had a nice time at the barbecue Vera and your grand daughter has done well, so fingers crossed for her!

AnnG I have a similar photo of me on a beach with my dad and also in one of those lethal deckchairs!.

good morning, a lovely sunny morning for his golf. I have a delivery between 11 and 12 so I know what the following two hours will bring.

Annx Oh I remember the constant puzzle of putting those deck chairs up, my parents had several of them, forever trapping fingers.

Mel, yes you were right, it would have been so silly to travel down and stay the night especially after Ros's op, say something had gone wrong, another trip to hospital? So pleased Conrad said no, too much responsibility for him. Ros must just wait like the rest of us. And, at the moment long trips can be made but we can't stay overnight.

Better go and have breakfast now.

Morning AnnG and all,

WE have sunshine and a bit of a wind too.

Arm looks a lot better today but is still itching at times but its not so red.

Oh is out inthe garden and I think he is clearing up the pyracantha he cut down. It was so huge and the birds are really going to miss the berries this year but it was hanging down over the lawn and got him every time he went past it on the mower and said it would take his eye out one day. It was the Orange Glow one and the blackbirds loved it.

Hope Ros gets on ok with her op today and dos'nt get any bleeds. Get her to take it easy for a few days Frank if you can. I know thats a hard thing to do but she must look after herself.

Good morning to you all,

Carolyn took Ros into hospital at 9.30 this morning, She has just rung to say she has all the tests done and had a canular (sp) fitted. No idea when anything will be done, as there are loads of people there.Carolyn has also rung to say she will collect Ros when she rings her. As for making her rest for a few days. I have as much chance as flying the moon. BUT I will of course do all the cooking, and run the hoover through, if it will keep her sat down. !!!!

Still got this intermittent headache, which is annoying. I don't want to take any extra pain killers if I can help it, as they might upset my stomach.

Tracy next door has put the buns out for us. She is such a nice considerate person. Her parents should be proud as punch with her. I know Ros and I think the world of her.

My dinner from yesterday is still sitting in the oven. I just couldn't face food yesterday, and so far this morning I haven't eaten. Might get a bowl of soup later.

We have the RED KITES flying around overhead. They were here yesterday also. I know there are a lot around Rockingham Forest, where they breed, but thats 20 odd miles away.

Breezy here today, but the sky is blue, with no sign of rain, so we must be grateful for that.

I'm off to get a soup and B & B. Then I will read my book. and wait for a call from Ros/Csrolyn. xxxx

Just having a sit down for a rest. I have done an hours wiping and putting away. Got all the freezer stuff in and meat in the fridge. gosh it takes so long. Only two subs one I accepted, one I returned. No nail varnish remover pads so I did accept ordinary varnish remover. The disinfectant spray I ordered was not available and I didn't want the alternative.
Meat was a bit shorter than usual on dates but, as it was some for the freezer and the rest for meals this week that was ok. No apology though, usually if the dates are short there is an apology. Otherwise so far no problems except my poor back. It has already been not good the past coupld of days this will probably finish it off.

We have a pyracanthus in the garden Mel but every year the berries turn black. We don't cut it down because the sparrows all roost in there. :- :-|

Afternoon all

Dull and cloudy after a lovely sunny start to the day. OH managed to cut the lawns before it went dull, so they look much better now.

We used to have Pyracantha plants in our old house Mel, the thorns are about 2 inches long so I don't blame your OH for wanting to cut them back. We had the red one, but I think the orange looks much better and the birds love them.

Easing lockdown a bit meant your granddaughter could spend her birthday with her family, how nice was that. It sounds like you all had a lovely time together Vera.

Hope all goes well for Ros today Frank, good luck trying to get her to rest though, she always seems to be on the go doesn't she? I hope she doesn't have to stay in hospital over night, although she'd have to rest then wouldn't she lol

We had those type of deckchairs Ann when I was a child and sometimes I'd catch my fingers in them, it was very painful, which I think is why I never bought any like that when I left home. That was nice of your OH to run the hoover around, that's something my OH would never think of doing.

How nice for you to see your grandchildren Mandy, pity you couldn't all hug each other, but hopefully it won't be to much longer, then you can all have lots of hugs.

Enjoy your rest AnnG, it sounds like you've been very busy wiping down everything. I see the shed is done, that's another job out of the way now.

I spent all day yesterday sewing OH's jeans, he's managed to put holes in his pockets on three pairs, putting his keys in them, so I've put new pockets in now, hopefully with it being stronger material, they'll last a bit longer than the last ones.

Just heard from Ros. She has had TWO MORE STENTS FITTED, and is feeling a bit on the low side. She has to stay and rest, and will let me know when she is able to come home. SHE MUST NOT USE HER LEFT ARM, for a few days. I said I would make a SLING. she replied SLING YOUR HOOK. !!!! So I can see I am going to have trouble with this one. lol lol

Will keep you posted.

Afternoon All,

Glorious sunshine today so we ate outside. It's quite a ritual now with a glass of orange juice and water. We had the ham bake today Mel and there was more meat this time so very nice. They substituted the lemon cheesecakes so we got profiteroles instead.

I hope Ros is able to come home soon and not have to stay overnight. She musn't do anything strenuous for a few days so keep her sat at the sewing machine if you can Frank. I bet that baby could do with a next size up little jacket too!:-) That was kind of Tracy, but I thought you meant she had left you hot cross buns on the doorstep at first! :-)

It's a great feeling when everything is put away AnnG. I hope your back is ok. Mine was aching towards the end yesterday but was ok again this morning. Even with OH lifting carrier bags onto the draining board when he isn't helping stash things away, there is still a lot of bending and twisting round. One of the fronts of the drawers in the garage freezer has come away and we couldn't get it to hold back so everything in the drawer just slides out when you try to move it! If the clips that hold it have broken I think we might have to see if we can tie across the front of it to the wire basket each side! :-S

I used to have a yellow and a red pyracantha at my old house. The yellow one covered a tall garden wall and had to be kept cut back as there was a path next to it. The thorns are really sharp on them and I'm not surprised your OH has taken action Mel.

It's garden bin collection tomorrow so I have done some pruning to hopefully help lessen the job at the end of the year. OH has done a bit of weeding as well and one more short stint tomorrow should see my lookout finished. It looks pathetic to take so long when you see the small size of it but it's all too heavy to do much at a time.I can level the soil next and start planting things then. I put 2 of the repainted ladybirds out there this morning too to see how long it takes OH to spot them.

I got a reply from Asda this morning and they have put a voucher on my account for the amount of the out of date meal so that was quick.

Did Gill or Mel see the 3 progs on Mexican craft that were on recently? I thought the first was fascinating. It showed a girl making one of their colourful traditional embroidered dresses. They stretch the material and sew it on a frame, draw their own beautiful flower designs on paper, then place the paper design on the material and stick pins all over the outline. Without moving the paper they rub flour over it and it leaves white dots of the outline on the material underneath. They then just go over the outline with a chalk pen before they then do the embroidery.

Well she'll have to est now Frank after all its the main artary they use to go down and if that gets a bleed your in trouble.

Anng that sounds like pyracantha scab, a fungal disease that's fairly common on this thorny, climbing shrub with red or orange fruits.

I have anice piece of beef out of the freezer for tonight. Its so long since I cooked a piece I have forgotten how to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know its 20mins a lb and this bit is 2lbs 4oz and oh wnats it pink in the middle. HELP :-S :-S :-S

No Ann I did'nt see those programs but they sound intersting. We will want to see a pic of this new outlook post you know! :-D :-D planted or not........ :-)

Ah you sneaked in there before I posted Frank. I'm glad Ros is all done now and just has to wait a while. Two more stents? How many does she have altogether then as I thought they had already done some?

I meant to say that it is good your arm is getting better now Mel. Sometimes a bit of itching happens as things get better. Fancy the tick getting on your arm and not your leg, but I suppose when you are digging and pulling grass and weeds out your arms are in the same position as your legs would be. You'll have to get some long gauntlets or wear long sleeves.

LATEST NEWS. The left hand and arm are very swollen, and is supported by pillows. It looks as though she will be kept in overnight if they can't get the swelling down. She just has to lay there with her arm held up in the air.

Of course there are no visitors, so she will be on her own, as everyone else has gone home.

Further updates to follow. lol lol

Hot, dry and sunny here. Beds changed and 3 loads of washing done, hung out, dried and brought back in again.

Frank, I'm not surprised Ros is feeling a bit down at the moment but having the extra stents fitted is probably the best thing that could happen. I am sure in the long run she will feel much more comfortable. At least she will have to rest up more now, particularly if she can't use her arm for a few days. You'll just have to try to be patient as I bet she will get a bit tetchy with you if she can't lead her normal active life. At least it will stop her even thinking of driving to Devon and staying. I won't say anymore on that subject except to mention something you might not have realised. Staying away overnight from your normal home is not just going against advice. It is actually illegal. If you were caught I think the police would just try to persuade you to go home but they have the power to fine you or bring a criminal charge so please think twice. My best wishes to Ros. Take care of her and take care of yourself too.

Ann, I would probably collapse with shock if I woke to the sound of OH hoovering. Bless him, if I ask he'll willingly do anything like that but he wouldn't think of it himself. I should let the supermarket know about the things wrong with your delivery. I have just emailed Tesco to tell them about my delivery yesterday which had problems. I told them how pleased I normally am and that I have recommended them to other people but told them I was very disappointed with yesterday's delivery. First, the cucumber I ordered and paid for was missing, then the potatoes had a best before date of 21st June but they weren't delivered until lunchtime on 21st, but the worst thing was that I had ordered a pack of frozen cherries and they were completely defrosted :-| Another minor quibble is that it was very badly packed with heavy stuff, like a 6 pint bottle of milk, plonked on top of lightweight stuff so it was squashed. I have had an acknowledgement of receipt of the email and they say they will reply within 48 hours.

We had a nice Zoom quiz yesterday with the family. It's a way for me to see that son and his family all look s though they are still thriving as I haven't seen them in the flesh since last October which seems a lifetime ago. Now a couple of people have dropped out I thought our weekly quiz might end but the rest seem keen to continue, particularly the younger ones, so another of the granddaughters is going to organise next Sunday's.

I hope your gurgly tum is better Mel. Some of these tablets can upset the innards a bit but it sounds as though they are working on your arm and putting it to rights.

Thinking of you Jane and hoping you're not suffering too badly from the side effects of the chemo <3

As we didn't have a roast yesterday I've got lamb shanks for tonight so I'd better go and sort some veg to go with them.

EDIT: Everyone crept in while I was typing. Sorry to hear that Ros needs to stay in but I am sure they will look after her well and it's better to err on the safe side. Fingers crossed that the swelling will go down quickly and she will be home again tomorrow.

Frank thye won't leave patients on their own all night there's bound to be staff about if only a small amount. Hope you get on ok on your own. It will be strange without your other half so don't go doing anything silly please. Aunty Mel has spoken for ALL of US. So there..........and its no good saying Ros dos'nt do what she's told if you don't either.

Yes thank you Vera my arm is much better today and I have now finished my pills so we will see if it carries on getting better as its still a little red and the actual bit where it sunk its jaws in me is now the size of a pin prick. You sound like you are really into these quizes now and its nice if the younger ones want to carry on with them.

Ann I do always where long sleeves but I must admit I did do a bit of weeding laying on the gras doing the edge when I had the bite. I can never go sleeveless as I get very bad horse fly bites which really swell up. the only thing is as I am up there digging and weeding if I get a prickly touch me I have to have a look straight away incase its another one.

Robby came up with me today and when oh brought my afternoon cuppa up and I had a sit on the kneeler he went over the weeds in the barrow and then on the earth where I had been digging and found a nice lot of worms there.

Beef's in the oven and is just starting to smell nice so I better put the tatoes on to boil. I did all the veg before I went up the border so its all ready to go when I turn it on. We have brocc, carrots onions and yorkshire puds. I shall do 12 and we will eat all of them!!!!!!!! Some nice new horseradish sauce to go with it all and meat juice gravy. Anyone feel hungry apart from Ann as I know she dos'nt like beef.

Morning all,

Nice morning once again and sunshine and blue sky.

Hope Ros had a good night in hospital and her arm has gone down this morning.

Its the big wipe down today and I want to get everything ready so am up early. Hoping to get back on the border today as I have now hit a really think lot of twitch. If I can just get some out it will make it all look a lot better.