General Chat

Afternoon to you all,

Very overcast and windy here, I expect the rain will be with us soon.

My Indian last night was not to my liking, far to spicy and hot. Most went in the bin. Ros enjoyed her Tika so that's something.

I just don't know whats wrong with the lawns. We normally have beautiful, lush green lawns. I can only think this dry spell has been the trouble, even though I have been watering it. Time will tell. !!!! lol lol

Ros has done all the veg for dinner tonight, it only leaves me to make the Yorkshire and CHEESE SAUCE. (Sorry Jane) but we like in on our Cauli. xx

I expect it's nice for Colin to get a her and nails in his and again Mandy. Does he miss not being at work, full time. ??

Would you believe that in the short time I have been on here, the SKY in a lovely clear BLUE with NO CLOUDS, anywhere. How strange is that. ??

I trust you are all well, and not getting into any trouble (as if you would) lol lol I'm going to get a coffee and back to my book. Love to you all. xxxx

Good afternoon Frank. funny weather here. one minute blue sky and sun the next tipping it down with rain. But always very windy, not cold though 17 degrees.
Not really done much today, prepped the veg for this evenings roast chicken dinner. Read the Mail on line then spent a while trying to get rid of a survey pop up. It seems to have disappeared at the moment but OH has read up on how to get rid of it so if it happens again he can try that.

Evening all

Dull and wet here today and the wind is getting stronger, not so warm either, I put the heating on for half an hour before to take the chill off the air.

What a to do with your OH's blood Ann, I bet he's glad it's all over now. I smiled at your comment about pregnancy and then his about needing to have a lie down after surgery LOL :-D :-D :-D Love the pics you sent, we used to have the bottle brush plant, but were allergic to it so had to throw it away, such a shame as they're a lovely colour. I don't know the name of the plant, I've always called it a bottle brush, as it looks just like one LOL. My toms are half the size of yours and only have flowers on them at the moment, I think it's because we planted them later this year. Hopefully they'll still produce tomatoes and ripen up before we lose all the sun.

Nice to see Ros taking it easy Frank and having a sleep, it'll do her good. What a shame Asha isn't at the hairdresser anymore, I hope you find out where she went. Our grass went funny with the dry weather, but has come back nice since all the rain, I'm sure your's will be the same after a few rain showers.

All the explanations about P's and Q's and none of them about please and thank you which is what I thought it meant. Quite an interesting read though, thanks.

We have a plastic bag inside the wheelie bin Mandy, so the slugs and snails went in there, OH had picked them up in kitchen roll so they were wrapped up nice and warm LOL At least there's a few less to attack my plants now. OH doesn't want to make it regular thing, but did pick up two more off the grass near the patio last night. Love the pics, the bag is very pretty and isn't Max big, I remember him being so tiny and now look at him, such a handsome dog. Your doing well with your toms and cues and some veg on the way once Colin has finished making the troughs. I love your fuchsia's, I moved one of ours yesterday as it looked a bit out of place, it looks so much better nestled amongst some other pots further down the border now. That's the fun of having pots I can change the look of the border when ever I like, it makes up for all the watering that needs doing which takes forever.

I hope you had a better nights sleep last night Jane, it's gone nice and cool here so I hope it's the same for you, so you can have a decent nights sleep. It sounds like you, Vera and I are behind everyone else with the toms, but I'm sure they'll all taste delicious in the end. :-) :-)

Thanks for letting us know about the Harbinger tomatoes Vera, I'll keep an eye out for them. I've never heard of them before. Your drive out sounded lovely and what a nice way to describe your county "Gentle"

Not another bonfire AnnG, that was early, you must be getting fed up of it now. Let's hope it doesn't happen again. Is it one of your neighbours?

Going to take another look at OH's tree now, I've managed to find quite a few people for him, so I hope my good luck keeps going.

Evening All,

What a day, windy, sunny, rainy the lot!

We had our last delivered sunday lunch today, but they are still doing them to chick and collect or it might be takeaway, but OH will check during the week. The one thing we don't fancy is having to go inside the pub to collect once they open and have people inside and possibly queuing.

Lovely photos Mandy and your veg are doing well. Those Tumbling Tom are full of flower and plenty of toms too, but the others are doing well as are your cues with all the flowers. I have picked 8 mini cues off ours now, the best they have ever done! The 'Maxproofed' flowers are pretty too and I love the light coloured fuschia to the left with small flowers that hang so nicely. That little bag is so lovely, and looks much prettier than I could have imagined especially in that rainbow wool! Max has made a big dog hasn't he and is very handsome. :-D Yes, William saw my ladybirds on FB and sent me a pic of his which he has done in black and gold paint this time and it looked very nice!

We have the hardy dwarf Tom Thumb, Lady Thumb and Son of Thumb fuschias, I say dwarf, but like most things they have turned out quite big now! I have tried the golden leafed Genii a couple of times and they grow really well but have no or few flowers on them in our garden. even when planted in different positions.

What a shame about your meal Frank. You don't seem to get many good takeaway meals lately. I wonder what is the matter with your lawn and whether some pest is eating the roots? No doubt Barry will have some ideas. I imagine the long hot spell won't have helped even with you watering as it was drying out again so quickly.

Sorry you had another migraine Vera and hope you are a lot better now.

I watched a small bumble type bee fly into one of my mint pots with a big piece of leaf on it's back this morning. It wriggled it's way into a hole in the soil, still with the leaf on it's back. I must look up leaf cutter bees to see if it is one. It's going to get a shock when I water the pots tonight!! :-0

I watched the wool felting webinar this afternoon and she made a pretty little beehive with bumblebees hanging from it on clear thread which was nice.

There is talk of locking down again here because of the surge in cases the past few weeks. I don't know whether they would include the county as well, but the centre of the outbreak in the city is where it didn't surprise us. I don't know any details but they have closed a supermarket and a place that makes sandwiches.

I think it will be another early night for us. OH has done some notes but we have lazed around otherwise. I think we are still getting over the effects of the heat.

Good morning, bright, no sun and windy. I have quite a few posts to read and reply to, will do that later. Don't have any plans for the day so far :-) :-)

Morning AnnG, morning all

Wet, wet, wet here today, so the garden is happy. With not going out the weather doesn't really bother me and OH cut the lawns the other day so there's no gardening to do, other than water the toms in the greenhouse.

I've got a shoulder of lamb slow cooking. OH was out yesterday so we didn't have a roast, there's to much meat for one person and OH doesn't like his meals heated up, so we're having a roast today instead.

What happened to the bee when you watered the plant Ann? I don't suppose it was very happy? Was it a leave cutter bee? I hope they don't close down the whole county so you can still go out and about a bit. Maybe it would be safer to cook your own meals, until you know for sure it's safe to go to the pub.

I've been given some books on Astrology and found some time yesterday to start reading them, they're very interesting. They tell you about all the people who found the Planets and how they did it. They even said the Earth was the centre of the universe not the sun at first, then realised they were wrong. One poor chap had to look at the same piece of sky for years to find a new planet, he eventually found it and so Pluto was born. I have a book on the Atmosphere to, so will be reading that once I've finished the Astrology one. I like those types of books and find them very interesting.

Morning AnnG and Everyone,

Still in bed as the window cleaner is here! OH warned me to stay put as he was due and I didn't want to be in the shower with the window open!

No plans for today here either. I have some lamb mince defrosting so will add any odd bits of veg in the fridge with some frozen to make an easy one pan dish with extra helpings to freeze for another day. I might see if I can do a bit in the garden. I'm not sure whether to plant out the 2 patty pan squashes now. OH read an article in the Telegraph about seeds coming from China avoiding checks by beingyet labelled as something else. It even mentioned someone receiving seeds called earrings the same as these were.! :-( l've kept the article to read later.

I was thinking if they do lock the city down my hospital appointment could well be cancelled again. You can't really make any firm plans for things like holidays this year either can you, not that we want to yet! We still haven't had any confirmation about our transfer to next year that I did on line. I don't know whether to just get my credit card company involved to get our money back instead in case the agent goes bust!

I think the window cleaner has finished now so I'd better stir my stumps and get on. It looks a bit gloomy outside. I found a painting on a postcàrd competition last night and had to laugh when I dug out my old postcards. They must be really old as they were 7p for 11. Sadly they were a smaller size than today's cards so l sent off for some more.

Missed you there Gill. Your astronomy books sound interesting. I find looking at the sky at night makes me feel how insignificant we are. I have some programmes about astronomy recorded. I think one is presented by Brian Cox who I like and the other is about the Hubble Telescope. I didn't water the mint pots in the end so will see if Mr Bee rushes out when I do it this morning! Lol.

Hello, back again, OH is frantically picking gooseberries which means I will need to sort out what to do with them I think some will have to go into the freezer temporarily until I gear myself up to make some jam. They will only make a couple of pots but I still have to be in the mood.

Gill, no more bonfires so far. hopefully the strong winds will put them off.
Ooh Shoulder of lamb, I love lamb, new potatoes and mint sauce.
Those books will keep you busy then Gill. Nice of somebody to give them to you.

Ann, that is a worry about the possible new lockdown for your area but I think they were talking about certain parts of the town only weren't they. I bet it was connected to the BLM marches two weeks ago. I think they were trying to avoid calling it a lockdown but restricting certain estates to not go out of the area. I might be mistaken as it was only briefly on the news that I saw yesterday.
Just checked the D Mail and it looks as though one suggestion is that the whole of the city will continue the current lockdown for another two weeks (until 18th).

I am still chuckling at your opening sentence on your post Ann "Still in bed as the window cleaner is here." :-D :-D :-D
Our windows have just been done but I have come upstairs and only 30 minutes later a bird has already decorated the most awkward window to get at from indoors.

I have just lost another long post. I just don't know why it does this. So I am going to have a coffee, and will come back to it later. xxxx

Frank a couple of times I have lost posts and afterwards, thinking back I realised I had pressed return instead of submit and another time pressed preview, then went back to the menu and of course it has not posted

Morning everyone,

Not bad here today but windy with sun and blue sky and clouds out the back and the fronts a bit grey.

Not another lost post Frank. It makes you wonder where all these posts turn up dos'nt it? Hope you had a reasonable night and Ros is feeling better today. Has the bruising gone down now?

Nice to get some books for you to read on subjects you like Gill. I hope you gave them a good wipe down before reading them.

We are waiting to see if there are any new cases down here after everyone flocked to the beaches the other day down in Plymouth and Newquay etc. Next we will be having border police to get into the county.

Anng have you seen those magnetic window cleaners? They are like I had for the fish tank thye look good but I don't know if they work as well as they show them. you put one bit on the window outside and the other on the inside and where ever you move the inside one, the one on the outside follows. Ok if you can open the window to start with.

Ann I think your seeds should be ok to use as you've had them for more than 72 hours. Its a shame people take advantage of the lock down restrictions and put others at risk.

It wasn't the coronavirus risk with the seeds Mel. It was about bringing plant diseases or pests into the country with things like seeds or plants if they hadn't gone through the proper checks. It suggested that some sellers were getting round the checks by incorrect labelling.

Ha ha AnnG I see what you mean about the window cleaner! Perish the thought, he's pleasant enough but not my type at all, plus he climbs over the side gate if we are out despite being told not to which annoys me!! I hope I can get that image out of my head before he calls next time. :-D

I am wondering what my hairdresser will do if they lock the city down too. He has a couple of salons in the city and two in the county which includes the one I go to. Hopefully he would keep the county ones open or my hair appointment will be going west! :-( There have been a few gatherings in the city and we were expecting this. Even today's local paper says the police are breaking up gatherings and fights on parks. Around 400, mostly teenagers and people in their early 20s have been drinking, partying and swimming at Saddington reservoir, no social distancing and cars dumped all over the verges, so people have had to stop and pull their wing mirrors in to get through. Most businesses are doing their best to reduce infection rates in line with government rules and keep jobs open, yet these younger folk are behaving like this and jeopardising not only the health of us all but also the economy and people's jobs and livelihoods when shutdowns are a consequence.

I am always losing posts too Frank. I think I press a wrong key sometimes like AnnG says and I don't seem to remember to open a word document and cut and paste like Vera. I just think I will be more careful, but that doesn't work. I hope Ros's arm is less swollen now and feeling better.

OH is at the hospital tomorrow to have this throat looked at. He is not wanting to go at all as he is concerned about the coronavirus, especially since cases here have increased. Also about using toilets. I have one of those on line sessions tomorrow but he didn't want me going with him and taking risks too and he rightly said he can speed in and out which he couldn't with me and my slow knees.

Lovely goosegogs AnnG! We have a glut now......of cues. Thirteen now so I must look up some pickle recipes and pray I have enough vinegar and jamjars as I got OH to throw some out to make room for the extra food a few weeks ago.

:-D :-D :-D :-D Annx

I saw a photo on line earlier of a group of twelve Asian looking lads all meeting to play cricket and all with arms on each others shoulders etc. I do think it is the older teens and twenty year olds who think they won't catch the disease, or if they do they won't be very ill. But the trouble is it is Asian and ither ethnic people who suffer badly if they get it.

Yes I threw out a load of jars as well at the start of the lockdown. The following is a recipe I had off GR many years ago. I use spiced vinegar instead of white vinegar and all the separate spices.
Cucumber relish
yield 2 and quarter pounds

1 and half pounds ridge cucumbers
8 oz onion
1 green pepper
three quarters ounce of salt
half pint of white vinegar
5 ounces sugar I use part white part brown
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 teaspoon ground allspice
half teaspoon ground mace
Peel and dice the cucumbers, finely slice the onion, de seed and shred the green pepper. Place in a bowl with the salt. Leave to stand for 3 hours.
Drain, rinse in cold water, and drain again thoroughly.
Place remaining ingredients in a pan, stir until sugar is dissolved, bring to boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the vegetables, bring to the boil, and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Pour into warm jars, cover securely and label.
KEEPS FOR 6 - 8 WEEKS

It keeps for way longer than 6/8 weeks.

Have cut the box ball on the front of the rockery bit outside the kitchen window and dead headed the mini roses and cut the lavender off to try and make it bushyer. I shall dry the lavender and use it in my crafts later.

Did we have a pic of your goosegogs AnnG?

O I have forgotten to corn the big girls and only did the bantams!! :-S

I thought I did send a photo of the gooseberry bush some time back.they are being picked in batches Mel.
Fancy forgetting the big girls, I bet they are cross, no eggs for you.

Good evening all

A funny old day weather-wise. Grey skies that look full of rain but there have only been a few spits and spots, and very windy but still quite warm. I did all the usual boring housework jobs and then spent half an hour in the garden deadheading and cutting back a couple of plants that were shading the ones in front too much, but I felt as though I’d be blown over at any minute.

What a shame to lose another long post Frank. It’s so frustrating. I think it’s happened to us all at some time. If you’re not confident doing the post in a word document or notebook or whatever and then doing a copy and paste, you could try doing several short posts rather than one long one. I hope your lawns perk up a bit soon. If it’s just the hot sun that’s burnt them they will soon pick up again.

Enjoy your astronomy books Gill. I love looking at a starry sky just for the beauty of it and feel I ought to try to understand the science behind the stars and the planets but I can’t rouse much enthusiasm for it. I think there’s a link missing in my brain, lol. I’m not artistic and I’m not scientific. Oh dear....

Ann, I had read that newspaper piece about Chinese bulbs and seeds coming in labelled as other things. It is a bit worrying as you don’t know what bugs and diseases are being brought in to the country. I’m sorry to hear that restrictions in Leicester are going to continue for longer - will you be affected by it? If you’re like me you probably won’t want to be out and about much anyway. I hope there’s no further delay to your hospital appointment and I hope your OH’s appointment goes well tomorrow.

OH has just made us cold meat and salad so I had better go and eat. I’m wondering whether to risk a glass of wine. Because of my funny head I haven’t had any alcohol for a week or so but there is a very nice rose in the fridge with my name on it.....perhaps just a small glass.

Morning all,

Steady rain here this morning but no wind which is good.

Well I don't know where June went and its one of my favorite months.

Getting ready for the big wipe down.

We have a baby Robin coming to he patio to feed on the mealworms. He has'nt got his red waistcoat on yet.

good morning greyish with a bit of bright here but 15 degrees so quite chilly.

Just reading about the lockdown of Leicester. I fee sorry for the people who have been following instructions who are now being penalized. It does seem as though there is a language communication problem, although I wonder how many that is an excuse for who understand but choose not to.
Ann Looking at a map in the D Mail on line, you are just outside it, I hope your hairdresser is in an area where they can still open. Such a shame for all the businesses, the pubs and restaurants must be so disappointed after putting a lot of money into altering things to allow them to open. I do think people will be travelling to adjacent cities though to shop so hope it doesn't spread further. I also think there are going to be reprisals against people seen as being responsible.

I meant to say I hope G gets on ok at the hospital today Ann.

Thinking of Jane with love and wishes and hope she is feeling a bit better this week. Its two more weeks to the next lot is'nt it?