General Chat

Morning AnnG, Mel and all,

Lovely morning nice to see the sun , there's a bit of a breeze but we're just sitting out having a coffee.

Mel I'm pleased with the trough but I would have liked it a bit darker grey ,I did say use the dark paint but he was adiment there was no dark grey ,when I looked this morning with him there it was in the back of the cupboard in the shed ,honestly if it doesn't jump out at him we don't have it ,so this next one will be a darker shade.
I think the wood came to about thirty eight pound and that was with a big box of screws too ,enough wood to make three but I think he's making a planter for son and DIL with the rest of the wood ,they want a smaller narrower one for flowers

Hope tomorrow is sunny so the family can come in the garden seems ages since they came , I know we can go in each others houses but we don't feel it's right doing it yet .

Good morning to all, Bright, sunny morning here, plenty of BIG white clouds, to go with it. No sign of rain yet, so lets hope it stays dry.

As everywhere was in lockdown for our Anniversary, I have booked a table for tomorrow lunchtime. 2.00 pm. I did say to Ros as the time. I owe you a meal. The restaurant said there will be restrictions, to how many tables can be occupied. So they are doing their bit, for safe eating.

Nothing planned for today, Ros has bought more plants for the garden from Dobbies, so she will put those in later. She has given Carolyn a couple of large Tomato plants in pots, as the ones she has, haven't grown very well.

Colin has made a good job of the planters Mandy. I see you will be like RABBITS eating all those lettuces. lol lol .

Was nice to see Jane out and about with the family. I do hope she is feeling a little better. Hug from me. xxxx

John, Carolyn's OH wants to go to Cheltenham either today or tomorrow, to see Carolyn's niece, not that they are close. I think it's because he wants to show off his Sports car to them. He is a right old POSSER.

All showered and dressed, with nowhere to go. So I think I will sit in the conservatory with my Martina Cole book. It's a typical East End Gangster novel, that I must say I do enjoy.

What are you all up to today. ?? staying out of trouble I hope. !!!!

Might get back later, if anything exciting happens. xxxx

Morning all

It was sunny earlier but grey skies again now and it’s not very warm at the moment. We don’t have any plans for today.

AnnG, your salad plants are looking really good and your tomatoes look great. Are they in a greenhouse? My tomatoes are more like green marbles at the moment but they are in pots outside so have to contend with whatever the weather throws at them.

I love your veg trough Mandy. It looks very professional. I like the colour and it’s a good depth too.

That was a lot of emails in one go Frank. I haven’t had a chance to look at them yet but I bet there’s a chuckle or two among them. I hope you had a good night last night. Did you enjoy your lamb steaks? You reminded me that I had some in the freezer so we are having them tomorrow instead of a roast. I’ve taken some salmon out for tonight.

Did you manage to finish tidying your front garden Gill? We don’t have a front garden as such. There are only 5 bungalows and our house on a little private road. The bungalows all have a flower bed or two at the front but ours is all paved so I have some pots out there. At the moment I have a couple of fuschias and a grass but I change them from time to time. I don’t usually watch that Nick Knowles programme but I’ll see if I can catch it on iPlayer.

Ann, welcome to the insomniacs club. I hope you had a better night’s sleep last night. A bad night makes it so hard to get going the next day. The night before last I slept for 6 hours without waking, which is really unusual for me, and yesterday I seemed to have so much more energy and got lots done. Unfortunately I had a bad night again last night so have done nothing much this morning. By the way I like the sound of your Chinese cabinet


Thanks for your offer of pink penstemon cuttings Mel but I already have quite a few pink ones as well. I’ve only ever bought one or two plants of each colour but take cuttings each year and now I have quite a lot. The ones in the ground seem to come into bloom earlier than the ones I’ve got in troughs.

David, I had lots of aunts and uncles too and many cousins, now scattered throughout the country. I keep in touch with my mum’s side but it’s on my dad’s side that we are a really close knit family. We generally get together once a year either at someone’s house, if they have a big enough garden, or whoever is sorting it out that year will hire something like a local village hall and family come from all over. Those who’ve travelled a distance book a b&b or a hotel and the younger ones often camp. There are often 50 of us there. This year we were supposed to be going in 2 weeks time to Surrey to the daughter of one of my cousins but because of Covid-19 it’s had to be cancelled. We missed last year’s because my OH was ill so it’s a shame that we won’t get to see many of the family this year either.

I was going to make some bread this morning but I think my bread maker is kaput. Last time I used it, it didn’t mix the dough up properly and I ended up having to scoop all the yucky mixture out of the tin and clean it out. I thought I had probably not put the paddle thing in properly so this morning I made sure it was all connected properly and tried it out with just water in the tin. It’s definitely an ex-breadmaker.

I started typing this before 11 am but OH kept interrupting me to tell me what he was doing and then he made a cuppa so I expect there are more posts on the thread now. I haven’t looked at the thread again as I have been typing in Notes on my iPad so I can c&p and not risk losing it, so I had better do that now.

Mel, have you got the shop and egg delivery done? but if you have you should now be up the garden.


Mandy Hope you still have the sun as we do here although it is still only 17 degrees, not really warm enough to be sitting out for long.
Annx I meant to say I like the sound of your Chinese cabinet but I wouldn't have room for it.

Frank, thanks for the emails Gosh that was a lot to plow through!!
Nice to have a meal to look forward to, is this a restaurant you often go to? Hope you have a lovely post anniversary meal.

Vera There are only a few tomatoes that are red ahead of the others although some in the baskets are starting to turn these red ones are outside. I am trying to remember but I think theya re in a basket as well. The ones in the greenhouse are not as advanced, nor are the ones in the ground.

David I had lots of Aunts and Uncles (and at one time several Great Aunts. Mum was the youngest of 9, one died young but I knew the other 7 until into my 20s. Dad was the eldest of five, one dies as a baby, one died during the war (he worked for the NAAFI on ships but was killed when he fell between the ships and the Quay when the ship was moored (and we never knew the whole story of that). All the cousind on Mum's side were older than me and there are none left now, I did keep in touch with two bed they have died, I am still in touch with the 95 year old husband of my cousin who died in her 80s. One branch I never knew, the children of Mum's eldest brother . He married and lived in Scotland so I have no knowledge of where they are or were once he and his wife died. On Dad's side there are five cousins still alive. I am in contact withthree of them fairly regularly and through them their siblings and my second cousind their children but have not seen them for many years.

Nuisance about the breadmaker. I didn't use mine so gave it to Grandson's fiancee, not sure if they have ever used it.

Just clearing out a drawer (yes another one, 5 to go!) And found the following

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win but think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose you have lost,
For out of the world we find
Success begins with a person’s will,
It’s all in a state of mind.

If you think you’re outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later the one who wins
is the one who thinks he (she) can.

Walter D Wintle.

Love the poem Anng. Thank you too for the poppy seeds which arrived today and I love the card. you are a clever girl.

I sent some seed to Ann last week and she has'nt got them yet and it was first class. I see yuor s was second class so when did you post them please? Will pm you my surnames.

I posted them both together Ann's and Jane's and both in the village not in our post box at the crossroads.

Took some more pics of the school fence the children are putting bugs on but hav'nt downloaded them yet.

Sam was walking about with a monkey mask on today when I called at Em's so I took his pictures. He has brown eyes and it really looked a bit grusome. He was trying to take a selfy on his camera.

Afternoon All
I am having to have a bed day today as the chemo has kicked in. I have just mainly slept.Had a couple of wanders about but just for a few minutes before having to get back into bed.

Mandy the veg trough looks great :-D

Mel I see you say Ann hasn’t received your post.I just realised that your card never arrived here either.I wonder where they have got to!! That’s bad service from Royal Mail isn’t it.
I need to lie down again so I don’t feel so woozy.

Oh has just come in and said there's a fox sunning itself behind the chicken run. I have got a couple of pics and oh went back round there as he is doing the roof on his workshop and the thing only looked up and saw him and then lay down again. Its still there now.

No I hav'nt got up the border yet!!!!!!!

Oh Jane hope it soon passes strange how something that does good has to be so nasty!!

Mel I posted the seeds Thursday in the village before 12.

Annx courgettes doing well then I must try some next yesr again, not had any success with them before. Thise bean flowers are attractive, almost like sweet pea flowers. And I love the little cabinet. Yes how good of the butcher.

I have just finished drawer number five in my office, Goodness knows why I was keeping all the junk that was in there, I suppose it was in case it came in useful. Well it didn't so it has gone. the bottom drawer in that set doesn't need doing as it is all envelopes and card blanks So that just leaves three at the end of the desk the most awkward to get to as they are alongside the arom of the put up up/bed settee.

Sorry you’re not feeling at your best Jane. Get plenty of rest and I’m sure you will feel better in a day or two. Sending you a gentle ((((hug)))) <3

Yes, aren’t the bean flowers pretty and a lovely colour. I love that little cabinet as well.

Jane i hope the woozy feeling you have soon passes ,rest up and just sleep as you need to <3

Oh Mel the cheeky old fox doesn't look like he's bothered about who is about with him sunning his self like that ,he's a bit to near the girls though :-0

Ann thanks for the photos ,they are pretty flowers on the beans you could easily have them mixed in the border with other things .
The little cabinet is nice and the vase on the top looks lovely with all the berries in .
The butcher man was the ideal place to have the Covid sign :-D

I have been down from the border for a quarter of an hour. Just having a glass of wine to relax before doing dinner.

Evening All,

Well I'm glad to say I slept like a log last night. Vera, I have been a member of 'insomniacs' for over 20 years, but didn't used to be awake ALL night till the last few years. When I was young, I was a very light sleeper and would wake up if my watch on the bedside table stopped ticking. I hope you have a good night tonight as it does affect how much energy you have the next day as you say. I think you may enjoy the art programme, as there are some talented artists, including sculptors, potters, wood carvers glass workers, metal workers and painters. What a shame your bread maker has packed up, just when you wanted to use it.

I seem to have been quite busy today, but not a lot to show for it. Mel we had no post today. How strange the 2 things you posted the same day and in the same place haven't arrived. Never mind, they will probably turn up on Monday and another treat to look forward to. That fox wasn't bothered was it! Some in the city here bask in view of people and I have seen one once at the back of a busy car repair place.

Sorry you are getting the effects of the chemo Jane. Best to stay in bed and ride it out when it makes you feel dizzy like that. I hope you soon feel better. xx <3 <3

I have finished the felted mouse and have sent a pic. I was pleased with it as it's the first I've done with a wire frame, but I didn't find it as easy as the lady who made the ballerina made it look! I suppose it's like most things that need some practice.

Frank they were some cracking videos you sent. Ros soon got some plants to put in when you got back, but I know she loves her garden and you will both enjoy all the flowers.

Gill I'm not sure how many of the Art progs I have watched, probably 2 I think, but I'm watching 1 when I go to bed.

Hubby's buyer, who he knows, came for the programmes which OH left under my car bumper 10 minutes before he arrived and he left the money in an envelope on the doormat and rang the bell before leaving with them. OH trusts him with knowing both him and his dad so will leave the envelope a few days before opening it.

It was nice enough for us to eat outside today, which it hasn't been for a few days so that was good. We came inside the conservatory to do the quizes after though as the sun went in and it went a bit chilly.

O Ann the mouse is just lovely and I love his braces and trousers. You are a clever girl. I have seen one I would like to make but the border becons at the mo.

Hope our Jane feels better soon and gets some good sleep. Sleep heals s it won't hurt to miss a couple of days in bed. Send love and wishes and a hug. <3 <3

Sorry about the cards and I will have a word with the postman to make sure the box has been emptied. I shoudl have put them in our local box and perhaps they would have been ok then. I shall have to go hunting up the top now for more things to send to Ann.

Just come out of the shower so I am ready for bed now so see yu all inthe mornign.

O forgot to say I love the little cabinet and the vase on top with the berries in is just perfect. xx

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Have a wonderful day whatever you are doing and I hope the weathers as good with you as it is here so you can sit outside for dinner.

Morning all,

Nice bright sunny morning here with blue sky and long thin wispy clouds in lines across it.

Nothing planned for today so I hope I can get back up the border and do some more weeding.

Hope you all slept reasonabley well last night and feel refreshed this morning. I slept like a log with all the gardening yesterday. Today first of all I need to clean the chickens out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN <3 <3 <3 <3 Have a lovely day today.Its going to be good weather for you :-D

Good morning all. slept reasonably well and woke up to brilliant sunshine. Just washed my hair for the first time since it was cut, It seemed really strange, I had got used to using a lot more shampoo. :-D

It's such a lovely day here so we had breakfast outside, boiled eggs , rolls and coffee! Reminds us of France! except for the eggs!
Not sure we're doing today! Mr Fg is about to take Abby for a walk while I tidy away, well, he did get breakfast and set it all up, so I suppose it's fair?!
We grow runners in a large pot(s), and toms in hanging baskets; Our outside is very sheltered and we've had three ripe toms, with a lot more to come! (1. 1/2 each!)
We've also got one of those miniature greenhouses where we bring things on and grow the lettuce that you pick. It's amazing what you can produce in a small space!!
On Friday I am at last, getting my hair cut! Happy Days at last!
Wishing Ann a Happy Birthday too.