General Chat

Hi all, Nice to see you posting Gill, I am sure Sandra will sort herself out, and I hope sooner than later, to stop you having all this worry.

John across the road has come over and is picking all the APPLES from the tree. He is a few years older than me, but very upright and FIT. Eos is helping by taking the apples and bagging them up.

She bought a large bag of compost yesterday at Sainsbury's It was on offer. She managed to get help putting it in the boot of the car. But of course it had to be taken out, so I rang Jonathan, and he came round within minutes and got it out, and down to the greenhouse. I'm so lucky to have him round the corner. He will do anything for us. (we call him our FORTH SON) and what a godsend he is when you need someone.

I have been trying to occupy myself, by sitting in the conservatory reading a new book, but I just can't concentrate, so have put it down for another day.

I have the MOTHER OF ALL HEADACHES. I think it's from sitting in the heat from the sun, in the conservatory.

Apples all picked, John has taken two bagfuls to freeze. I will core and peel a load tomorrow and freeze for the winter. Apple pies, crumbles, and apple sauce on hand when we need them.

I bet I have drunk 15 glass's of water today. I trust you are all keeping hydrated in this weather, ???

Afternoon all

Snap AnnG, I also spent the night with stomach cramps and loo visits. I just slept for a couple of hours between 2 and 4 am. I hope you are OK now. I feel better but struggled to eat any breakfast and only managed half my lunch. I staggered downstairs at 7 to find OH already in the shower.

OH took the car to the garage for the service and MOT and daughter and granddaughter picked him up and brought him home. We’ve had a lovely day. Although it was quite windy our garden is fairly sheltered and it was nice and warm so we could sit out all day. They are good company so plenty of chat and laughter.

Unfortunately, the garage rang around lunchtime to say the car failed the MOT. We were really shocked as OH looks after the car and we have never had a car fail before. Apparently it was the emissions test and we need to replace a filter. The car’s a Volvo so the part has got to come from Sweden. They reckon to get it and fit it by Tuesday so we are without a car till then. They may have a driver available to bring it back but if not daughter will come back and take OH to the garage to collect it. Needless to say, it’s all costing an arm and a leg. :-(

i’m pleased your migraine went Gill but sorry to hear you’ve got a bad head Frank. Do you wear a hat in the sun? It took me years to persuade OH to wear a hat, but after he got sunburnt on a bald spot he gave in. He’s got a couple of natty Panama hats and I think he looks good in them.

Keeping you in my thoughts Jane <3

Tis blowing a hooley out there and lashing rain too.

Morning all ,

Bright and breezy here ,no rain so far but the clouds that keep coming over are getting darker.

Hope those with tummy trouble are feeling better today ,Colin had trouble yesterday too.

I'm going to make a Shehard pie today we haven't had one for ages and there are a few runners I have picked that we can have .
Yesterday I made some chutney, Cucumber and Apple ,never made it before but it has used up a couple of cucumbers ,I still have four big ones to pick .

Just hoovered through and now going to do a bit of ironing before it gets any warmer ,yesterday was really hot out but I did get a few outside jobs done .

Hope you haven't had any damage over night Mel it sounded as if it was rough for you last night .

Good morning all. A bit envious of any of you that have warm sun. It is wet here and quite cool. I think forecast was for rain all day. We are in anyway and have Inara until 3.30.

Tummy is sore but ok and I slept really well.

Morning Mandy, Ann and all

We have sunshine - at the moment, but a 40mph hooleygan forecast for 11 -1. and rain of course. I love the smell of outdoor dried washing - after a lifetime of laundrette or hanging indoors - but even on a dry day now we still end up using racks in the house. :-( I think we live in a damp pocket.

AnnG I was right there with you sitting at the harbour the other day - we had rain, which I wouldn't have minded at all with boats and the sea to look at.

I think we had the last of our runners yesterday, they were far too chewy and stringy. There are still lots on the vines but we shall leave them for podding now - can't wait! Next on the menu are dwarf beans whih are looking good to pick so that's tonights feast sorted.

Plenty more tomatos ripening at a 'pick me today' pace. I may make some soup ready for an early autumn treat. You can't beat home made tom soup.

I think it's going to be a chair day :-D I looked for a pic on the same sort but I'm agog to see that they don't seem to be on the market anymore - it's not that old!

Have a good day all, come rain, come shime.

Thinking of Jane, I hope you feel up to looking in soon <3

Unfortunately OH still has the headache. Worrying that it has gone on so long. Will be the GP when we get back if no better. And he is so unused to having pain that a bad back and head to him is the end of the world. I am wondering if the two could be connected but it seems unlikely.

Poor little Millie is being the attraction for Inara. She is gentle with her but Millie wants to play in peace. Peace is not a word in Inara’s vocabulary.

Morning Mandy Ann and Island and all,

Still blowing a gakle here this morning and its knocked my beans over don't know if anyhting else is damaged yet as I hav'nt been out but I expect my sweet peas will be all over the place as they need tying up again.

Sorry to hear that T still has the headache and bad back. Do you think he should go to a doc Anng? Its been going on for a while now and as you say he is not one for headaches. Hope he feels better soon and can enjoy the break.

Sending love and wishes to Jane and family and thinking of you all. <3 <3 <3

Had a dreadful night last night and just could'nt get to sleep until about 4.30am. We also had a thunderstorn with lightening for a while.

Well I better change gear and get something done today.

Must get the mince out for a nice Lasagne tonight I think. Oh is off of sheep sh*t pie.

Well, It's happened again A BIG POST LOST. Blast and Dame. will try again later.

Good morning all (well, it was morning when I started but I got sidetracked),

Sunny spells in between grey skies this morning and blowing fit to bust. I was thinking of going for a walk along the river but I think I might get blown in.

Sorry to hear OH still has a problem with his back and head AnnG. I suppose they could be connected. If his back is tense maybe the tension could be transmitted up his spine to his head but it would need someone with medical knowledge to decide that. I expect he loves seeing her but having a lively youngster around is probably not helping. I hope he feels better soon.

Oh dear Frank, another post lost. You must feel so frustrated as it does seem to happen very regularly. Do you type your posts on a full size keyboard or are you on a tablet or phone? I just wondered as a phone or tablet has a very small space to type in so it is very easy to hit the wrong symbol and maybe accidentally delete something. Does your post disappear before you submit it or after you press Submit? If between us all we can work out why you're losing so many posts, then you can avoid the problem and the frustration.

I was thinking about your chair Island and thinking I could never tackle anything like that. It's true I wouldn't do it now but I might have had a go when I was young. It reminded me of the early days of our marriage when we had two small children and not much money. Everything was "make do and mend". At one point we wanted a small push chair but couldn't afford a new one so we got hold of a rather grotty second hand one. OH took it to bits and painted all the frame with a white metal paint and I recovered the big cushion bit that moulded over the seat and up the back. I did it in a sort of canvas material I got in the market and it was bright red. We had people stopping us in the street and asking where we bought it because they had never seen one like it and it looked so bright and cheerful. I was very proud of that pushchair :-D

Our tomatoes are at last ripening but of course they are all coming at the same time. I have a big bowlful of cherry tomatoes and more to pick but the bigger tomatoes aren't ripe enough yet. I don't like tomato soup, bought or home made, so I usually turn any excess into some sort of sauce and freeze it. It's very tasty on a piece of white fish or you can throw it in with some mince.

We've had quite a productive morning. I had a good night for a change so I had a bit more energy this morning. I've hoovered and dusted right through and OH has steam cleaned the kitchen, hall, utility and conservatory floors. I've also made several overdue phone calls, including phoning the dentists. We have appointments for both of us for our 6-months check up next Wednesday. Our car should be back on Tuesday but I thought I had better change the date in case the car is delayed. Our dentist is 12 miles away and there's not much in the way of public transport between us. We now have appointments on 9th September and they will ring us on 8th to let us know what safety precautions we have to take and what precautions they are taking.

Better go and get some lunch now. Enjoy your afternoon whatever you are doing.

Vera gosh you got a lot done. Oh managed to get a peaceful hour in the other room watching the cricket and daughter and I stayed in with Inara. Daughter is very good at making dinosaurs etc out of connect pieces. I seem to be in here at the moment watching Lion King.

Inara is having a sandwich. Earlier we watched the Snail and the Whale. Widening my education.

It just seems strange that two things should develop at once, the back first. I still think the headache is some sort of virus (not that one).

Mel he will go to the GP (as I said earlier) when we go home if he still has it.

Wish four year old come with volume control

Here we go again, Good afternoon all.

My that wind is blowing a gale. We had a gust a few minutes ago, that was so strong, I thought the conservatory was going to do a FLYER. !! Just like that film, which I can't remember.

I have cored, peeled and sliced about 10 lbs of apples. All stewed down and in two BIG mixing bowle's to cool down. Then into freezer bags, and into the freezer. I bet we still have 50 lbs or more of apples, to either use, or give away. What a year it has been for them.

Ros has been down the garden all morning weeding and cutting back things. She took the car for a service this morning, when it's ready they will ring, come and pick her up, so se can take the driver back. (MORE EXPENSE).

Have been looking at a weekend away for her birthday, but are they expensive for anywhere half decent. So I think it will just be a present, flowers and a meal out.

How are you all coping with this wind. ?? I bet there will be a lot of damage around, before the day is done.

Ros made a lasagne yesterday, which we will have tonight.So no cooking for me again.

I started a new book this morning, I think I will enjoy the story, which so far has been interesting.

I'm still getting headaches from that fall, it's right over my forehead. I changed glass's to try to ease it. So will see how it goes.

Hows our Jane today ?? I hope she had a comfortable night, and is relaxing today.Thinking of you my love. xxxx

I am thinking about the steps down to the lawn. I think if I put a rail, attached to the arch I will have something to hold onto, which should make it safe for me. It will save the expense of having the steps taken up, and a slope being put in. I am just as likely to stumble down a slope as I would down the steps. The railing should be as safe as I need it.

Back to the conservatory and my book for an hour, then I will tackle the apples.

Frank is your arch a metal framed one? They do tend to rot if put in the ground and it may not take your weight if the rail is attached to it. It would be far better to have a rail put in with cement or perhaps rails both sides. Still think a slope and rail would be better its less to trip over.

Booked my car in for its MOT for the 26th Aug. a Wednesday so I must'nt forget.

Bad damage in the garden on one most important thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It blew the beans over and oh had told me to make sure they were watered well so they would'nt blow over. Wish I had'nt taken his advice as the top blew over and not the base tub and its ripped most of the beans off at their roots. He said he was going to put ties on the wire to the barrel and he never did.

I think I have a picking for tonight with our Lasagne but maybe no more.....boo hoo.. :-(

Afternoon All,

Blowing a gale here too. It is only the weight of the big courgettes that is holding them down but a few of the leaves have snapped off so I have added more sticks between the leaves to help stop them moving.

Mandy you have been busy pickling! I like the sound of the chutney. I am doing a couple more jars of the cucumber pickle this afternoon. I'm going to look up some courgette cake recipes too as it will use some up and be better for us than usual cake.

It's horrid being awake that long isn't it Mel. I actually had a good night last night and feel I have 'getup' if not 'go' today. It's a shame the wind and rain are wrecking all the flowers and most important ....your beans!!. I think ours only have one more picking!

Sorry to hear Ann, Vera and Colin have had the same tummy problems and hope they are all a lot better today. I had something like it for a day about 2 weeks ago. The tummyache was worse than I usually get with these things and I thought it was a bug.

Sorry to hear your OH still has back trouble and headache Ann and I hope it isn't spoiling his break. Is he making sure he isn't dehydrated? My OH seems to get a lot of headaches behind his ear lately. He mentioned it to his doctor when he last went and to the hospital recently but no-one thought anything was wrong. I think it is his posture (awful!) when sitting at the computer and he has been doing a lot of notes lately.

Sorry you lost a post again Frank! It is so annoying. Try again later .

Oh oh I'd better dash to catch the post!! BBL

Well my letter is posted and we went then to Stoney Stanton where I noticed last time we drove through a new statue had been put in front of the church (the one with the big parish chest hewn from a log). I managed to get a side view of the statue which is to commemorate the quarrying there used to be in the area. Then I wanted to take a photo of a strange crop I'd seen last time we went out. I only got a glimpse but it was a field of some blue and also white flowers about waist high. I hadn't a clue what they were, but today they had gone over and were a browny colour so I didn't stop.

People in the area thought we'd had an earthquake a couple of days ago as there was this almighty bang and rumble in the afternoon. It turned out that they were doing demolition at Croft Quarry and had only put a notice about it on the village site!! We would hear the normal blasting and siren when I lived nearer at my parents' house and could see the hill from the upstairs bedrooms.

You did well to get dentist appointments Vera.....are you private? Our NHS one cancelled mine this week. Yes we have a glut of toms now too and I'm wondering what to do with some as there isn't much freezer space left. I do like tomato soup though with lots of basil and garlic added, so might do some of that and, if I boil off a lot of liquid to concentrate it, it won't take up so much room. :-) Hubby wears those Panamas plus a flowerpot man one for weeding the garden in. He has no hair on top and with watching footie matches has to wear one if he doesn't want to become a redhead. That was a nuisance your car failing the MOT and having to wait for a part, but at least we are doing less motoring at the moment.

How is your eye today Mel? Is your vision better and the scratchiness gone?

What a shame your OH had to break the grill to get the bonnet open Gill, but at least he can check oil, water etc now should you need to fetch Sandra.

The last of my dwarf beans have gone like your runners Island so I am leaving what's left for seed too.

Frank I agree with Mel about fixing a rail to the arch if it's metal. My metal bird feeder pole has corroded through where it goes into the soil. I still think a slope is best too, even if it is a wooden one that has to be replaced after a few years. The NHS site suggests getting an assessment from your local council and that they may pay for things like rails and ramps if they cost less than £1000. It might be worth making a phone call to check and save a bit of dosh if they do.

Evening all

Just a quick post - I've emailed 'A few pis from GR Island' to (hopefully) everyone, letting you know incase I go into 'junk' :-0

Afternoon all

Windy here today, one of my small pots fell over so I've moved it to a more sheltered spot. I think it fell because it was put over two flags that weren't quite level with each other so in the wind it toppled over. It's safer where it is now.

Sorry to hear your car failed it's MOT Vera, we've had problems with the emissions in the past and find a long run soon sorts it out. Pleased to see you had a nice time with your daughter and granddaughter yesterday, your garden sounds really cosy.

It sounds like you've had a busy day like me Mandy. My housework is almost finished then I can have a proper sit down and add some people I found for OH to his tree. I've been stuck on finding people off an Obituary I found and stumbled across a marriage by chance last night. The surname was mis-spelt, so it's no wonder I couldn't find it. Never mind it's found now so I can add his wife and children, at last. Enjoy your shepherds pie, I haven't made one of those for ages, I quite fancy one now ;-) ;-)

Sorry to hear your tummy is still sore AnnG, hope it feels better soon and your OH isn't in to much pain. Pleased to see you had a good nights sleep, that'll make you feel a little better.

It sounds like you're doing well with your tomatoes Island. I'm finally getting a few now, although there are still plenty of flowers yet to produce any.

Hope you haven't had to much damage with all the wind Mel. I thought all my pots were secure, but one fell over so I guess I was wrong. Hope you have a better nights sleep tonight.

I agree with Mel Frank, a slope with a rail or two cemented in the ground would be a lot safer.

It sounds very windy by you to Ann, the wind has calmed down here now so I was lucky especially with all my pots, I don't want them to fall over like a row of dominoes LOL. I hope you don't have to much damage with the wind.

Thinking of Jane and her family. Sending love to you all <3

Thanks Island I have just been looking at them and replied on the email. You may have said but what is your dogs name, he looks a cha get, I love him. He remind ps me of Sykes in Midsummer murders.

Love the pics Island. Your dog is so cute, is it a he or a she? Your Crocheting is very colourful, love the cushion. You're doing well with your cherry toms, I'm hoping I have a few more soon, mine are no where near as good as your's.