General Chat

Afternoon All,

I slept well again and was woken up by the noisy chatter of a flock of Jackdaws that seem to have settled here. Since keeping one as a pet as a teenager till he could fly properly and feed himself I've had a soft spot for them. The past few weeks they have taken over the pigeon roost in the hedge tops in the field at the back. Today they have been riding the air currents, swooping up and down and chack chacking away as they do.

Thanks for passing on Fg's news of her daughter Mel. I've heard of the condition before, as I was born with 2 port wine stain birthmarks on my arm and body that were vessel malformations. They were visible of course and were treated with frozen gas as a toddler over a 2 year period to fade them. I have wondered at times if I have any inside me. I hope the medication works for Fg's and that all goes well for her.

That stub of your poor toe sounds a horrid shock and quite nasty with causing it to bleed. I hope you managed to find something to wear on it this morning. I've made a note of your quiche recipe and will try it next week, it sounds very nice.

Yes, my card was handmade AnnG as we still aren't going in shops yet and the only cards I have at home are birthday ones. I didn't fancy any I saw online so decided to try making one for you that was a bit more personal. That was a nice treat for your special day but a pity about your OH's back. I have the same problem with road humps causing me problems. The best place to be is the driver's side of a car if he's a passenger as there are less potholes and a smoother ride. That was a nice photo of you with Inara and her hair colour is just the same as my sister's was. It used to go a bit lighter in the summer with the sun. Maybe the rule of 6 is because a bigger group at social distance couldn't hear each other and be tempted to move chairs closer? I think the less of us that stick to the rules the more it will spread and the longer it will be before we get back to anything like normal. If everyone had done as asked from the start we may have been in a far better position by now. More spikes will mean more and more business closures and jobs lost. Maybe that is the pain people need though to make them be sensible. Benefits and support can't carry on at the rate it has done if tax and NI payments to help fund it keep going down. I agree some of the rules seem to be hard to fathom though.

Vera that is why I won't join my beading friends yet. They have met up twice outside now and ended up inside which I am not happy to do yet. I would also want my own chair with me and if people flaunt one rule, I wonder what else might they be careless about. At least you got to see your friend and give he her birthday present though. Yes, browsing in shops is so passe now and is hubby's kind of shopping in, grab what you want and out again! :-)

Gill I am sorry you are in such pain. If you think it may be a water infection I would ring the doc as you say as you probably need antibiotics. You did well to do another drawer.......mine are still waiting for me!!

Better get ready for my zoom meeting now.

Gosh where has this week gone I have just realised its Friday again. They seem to be passing quicker and quicker or is it that I am getting old and senile? Come to that where did August go???? :-S

Suns out again now and I have just washed the blood out of the quilt cover and the bottom sheet and the mattress cover which was pulled over oh's side so the blood was on the bit that goes down the side of the mattress so that did'nt have to be changed. The sheets are in the wash and now I have spied 8 blood spots on the carpet which I am just going to tackle.

I shall have to make sure its well covered tonight as I don't want that episode again. Oh has some little finger stalls so I may see if one of those will go over a plaster on the toe. Its my middle toe on my right foot. :-(

Vera at least you got a little done in the garden today and did you pc historian thing so you have done really well today. Its surprising what you can get done when hubby is out.

Home made meat pie tonight that I made two days ago so nice and easy with some cabbage and new pots. Steak tomorrow and bacon lettuce and tom sandwiches on Sunday so all planned and maybe I shall be able to do a bit of crafting or gardening.

Hope you enjoyed your zoom meeting Ann. :-D :-D

I bet that toe’s sore Mel. Are you able to get a shoe on?

It’s pouring again now and not very warm. OH has just rung to say he and friend are just leaving the hospital. The appointment was for 1.30 and just for drops to be put in and the eye examined. They expected to be away by 2.30, home well before 4. Now they are going to get the rush hour on the A12. My poor OH has been waiting in the car all that while, apart from walking up and down the road outside the car park to ease his cramped limbs a bit. I think they may have done more to friend’s eye than planned but no doubt OH will tell me more when he gets in.

I have had an email to say that the swab test for Covid-19 that I did is negative, but all it really means is I didn’t have it last Thursday when I did the test. It doesn’t tell me whether I might have had it in the past without knowing but I suppose it helps the scientists and medical people to know how much the virus is circulating in the population.

Vera I can get my shower shoes on which I use for slippers and my good old wellies which are a bit big. I hav'nt tried a shoe yet.

There were at least 12 blood spots on the carpet in the bedroom and they are all gone now. I got on myhands and knees and thought I masy get stuck down there but I leant on the bed and the chest of drawers and raised myself on my left foot which is'nt the best one but I did'nt want to bend the nail up on the bad toe. The nail has lifted from the base so ioing to be a long job to heal or for it to come off if its going to.

Em's hubby came out of hosp yesterday. Not a good night and also they had to have their lovely dog put to sleep, Fred. I think he was 13 and a greyhound type who was so good and gentle but his back legs had gone and he was deaf. He always came to see me when I delivered the eggs and I shall miss him so they must. Ed had him before they married and he went to work with Ed every day even up to the end when Ed would have to carry him up the stairs. So sad when you lose a member of the family and thats why I won't have anymore dogs.

Oh Mel your poor toe. I thought the nail looked lifted so it may come off as you say. No wonder it hurt when you did it. I'm always catching my bare toes on shopping trolleys and that's bad enough.

Well done on sorting your history program on your new PC Vera. I don't get any mansplaining or help with my PC as he knows less than me in that area. Nice for you to know your swab test was negative. Will they repeat it in while or is it a one off? The test OH had was the one to check for antibodies in his blood.

Vera good that the swab test was negative Vera. Even if a few days back.

Ann I really like your card and so does daughter who is also a card maker but who is trying out other crafts like painting. It is very professional like everything you make/do.

I can’t believe this but while oh’s back is improving I now have a really bad back and have no recollection of doing anything to it. It is the muscle base of back on the right. Ok while not moving but really painful standing from sitting. Hope it improves before we drive home.

That's nice of you AnnG and I must admit I was a bit worried about making a card for someone who makes lovely cards herself! Is it watercolour painting that your daughter is trying? I wonder what has triggered your back pain now. Not from lifting the chiidren is it? I meant to say how sweet the kitten looked in the photo with Inara and you.

I hope Jane has a bit better weather while she is away a few days next week. I think a few warm things will be going in her case. They have done a lot of work at Foxtoñ Locks since I went years ago including a new visitor centre so it should be good if she can go to see it. It will just be nice to catch up with her sister though.

Annx yes watercolour and she started around the same time as me and is much more talented.
No I would not even try to lift Inara she is pretty solidly built for a four year old. I think I may have twisted awkwardly doing up my seat belt in the rear of the car. Still painful this morning although I did sleep well. Don’t look forward to the journey tomorrow.

The sun is actually shining at the moment here but boy is it cold! No winter clothes with us either did not expect this freak weather.
Hope the weather is better for
Jane but a change of scenery will be good.

Morning Anng and all,

Good you had a nice sleep last night Anng and I hope you have a safe journey home. Hope all your plants at home are ok you'll have lots of toms to pick.

Hope the weathers good for Jane and families days away. It will be good for all of them to get a break with different scenery. Foxhill lock looks a nice place I wondered if they have a lodge or a boat?

Nice bright sunny morning here but will it stay like this all day? Bet it dos'nt, bet we have rain at some point during the day.

Sd get my car back this morning so I better get in to gear and make sure I am ready for when Kate brings my car back as I have to drive her back to the garage. Its only about a mile and a half up the road from the crossroads.

I watched the first STrike the other night and last night I watched most of the second one so tonight I shall watch the third one and tomorrow I shall watch the new one. :-D

Morning All

Goodness what a gale we had last evening and the rain came down in torrents.Now it is just a bit breezy and cloudy.I can just see one little patch of blue.

Ann did you not do something similar to your back a little while ago? I do hope it is not too painful when you have that very long journey home tomorrow.

How is the toe this morning Mel? I do think you will lose that nail.

I wont be packing until tomorrow .I dont need to take too much really . I had hoped it would be a bit warmer than is forecast as it would be nice to sit on the decking at night. Mind you there is the Hot Tub :-D :-D Now I am not having Chemo I reckon I will be ok to go in it.I dont have a cozzie though so it will have to be a long sleeveless summer top and pants.I am not buying a swimming costume for just a few days. Have never been in a Hot Tub before. I hope it isnt too hot.

We have to get Thomas to the Cattery today between 2 and 6.It should be tomorrow really but with it being a Sunday the lady doesnt take any cats in or have cats going home.Whats the betting he disappears just at the time we need him to be here !!!!

Where is Frank? he hasn't been here now for a couple of days.

That is great news that Fgs daughter is improving now and that they know exactly the cause of the bleed.Lets hope she continues to recover swiftly and doesn't have to remain in hospital for too much longer. <3

Gill how are you today? Any improvement or have you had to ring the GP?

Chris went to the Pharmacy at my surgery yesterday to collect some prescription drinks.You should see how many there are !!!!!!!!!! I will send a pic of the 2 boxes :-D

Got the car back and am £639 light now.

Suns shining not done the egg delivery yet and we need petrol.

Jane you will need all those and if you're going away don't forget to take a lot with you.

I hope the weather is nice for you when you get there and the hot tub is a nice experiance, you'll like it and it won't be too hot. You can always turn the heat down anyway.

Morning all,

What a nasty old day it is out there ,thick drizzle coming down at the moment then the sun tries to come out and then it pours so no washing going out today.

AnnG lovely to see Inara she looks a big girl for a four year old she's going to be tall when she's older ,I see the kitten posing on the photo too :-D

Oh Mel that toe looks sore and I bet you'll lose that nail ,such a pinch when you stub your toe ,I should think it will turn black and blue .

Nice to see you Jane ,now if you had said I could have knitted you a swimsuit like we had years ago :-D do you remember how we laughed about them filling up in the backside with sand on the beach :-D
Have you got any old pyjama bottoms you could cut into shorts for the hot tub they would do ,I wear shorts when I go in our pool as my swimsuits always seem baggy round the backside now.
Doesn't look like the weather will be that warm next week but I think it should be dry .
Hope the boy Thomas doesn't go walk about just when you need to take him to the cattery.

Ann that's nice your still zooming with your friends :-D nice to have a catch up and see what everyone has been making .

Gill hope your feeling better and managed to get to talk to the doctor to get some thing to help with the water infection .

Vera that was a long wait for your OH at the hospital yesterday, he did his good deed for the day .
That Quiche with the tuna sounds nice ,wouldn't mind the recipe if you've found it please .

That's good they know now what is wrong with Fg's daughter now so she can get the right treatment ,it must have such a worry for all of them not knowing ,hope she recovers soon so she can soon be back home .

Nothing planned here for the weekend ,can't believe it's the bank holiday ,just over a week and the children go back to school ,sounds as if it's going to be fun and games with all the do's and dont's :-S staggered times for going in and coming out and they all have to take hand sanitiser in their bags ,it's going to be so different for them I bet some will be frightened to go back.

Afternoon all

Quite dull here but dry, I've washed OH's and my coats so they're on the line. Not sure they'll dry very well though as there's no wind and the coats are thick padded ones. I noticed online this bank holiday Monday is going to be the coldest on record and there are flood warnings with all the rain predicted and possible thunder and lightening. So not the best bank holiday.

I'm much better now, I just kept drinking lots and lots of water which seems to have done the trick. At least I'm not in pain anymore, I could hardly stand up, so I'm glad I'm pain free as I have a few jobs that needs doing today.

Love the photo of you and Inara AnnG, Inara looks just like my niece did at that age, same colour hair and hair style. It sounds like you had a wonderful anniversary.

Your toe looks very sore Mel, it really hurts when you stub it like that. I hope it's not to painful and heals soon. Thanks for letting us know about FG's daughter. I hope the meds work and wish her a speedy recovery.

Pleased to see the swab test came back negative Vera. That was nice of your OH to take his friend to the hospital. Well done for sorting your Family Historian program out, I wouldn't have a clue where to start. I did smile when you said your OH would mansplain everything, if he was there. I'll have to remember that saying LOL :-D :-D I've just Googled it and it's in the dictionary.......who'd of thought :-S :-S :-S

I'm still doing my sorting Ann, but there's not much left to do now. I've left the drawers with all the tiny bits and bobs until last, which I'm now regretting as they're the ones that take the longest to do. Never mind it'll keep my out of mischief and give me something to do while OH's at work.

I hope you have a nice time away Jane and the weather isn't to bad for you. I'd pack a few warm things though as they said it's going to be a bit cold. Enjoy your time in the hot tub.

I was thinking the same as you Mandy about the children going back to school and how different it's going to be for them. Hopefully they won't be to frightened though.

Going to get something to eat before doing some more sorting and housework. I need to check the washing on the rads to. It's still dry outside but not very warm and a bit cloudy, I hope it doesn't rain and the coats dry.

Afternoon All,

Chilly here today but the sun has just come out. I got all mixed up with the days yesterday and got Sunday' s chicken in bacon from the freezer to defrost thinking it was Sunday today. Well today I got the time mixed up and put it to cook an hour too early so we had a very early Sunday lunch today!! It will work out well with the food order coming tomorrow as we can have something on toast that is quick to get.

That was a good idea to drink plenty of water Gill and it is good the pain has gone now. Good idea to get any coats washed too before it gets even harder to dry them.

I have just checked and our gas boiler is due a service next month and that is something that can't be left so I will ring our chap on Tuesday. We can keep well out of his way while he's here and wipe down after and pay him by credit card over the phone when I book him. We try to avoid putting PINs in if we can.

I had the 2 online forms to complete ahead of my appointment for my hair next Tuesday today. They like to know all the things you use on your hair, your usual medications, any reactions to anything, whether you are pregnant, then now there are a lot Covid questions too. I have already paid enough over the phone so I can just swipe my credit card for the balance when I'm there.

I hope Ed is managing at home ok Mel. What a shame they have lost Fred the dog too. They aren't having much luck just now.

Your OH is very good helping his friend with the hospital trips Vera, but that was a long wait. I would have been needing a toilet!! The eye department here means long waits and when OH had cataracts done and then a detaching retina we waited 8 hours on one occasion. It was just us, the cleaners and two surgeons by the time we left.

A T shirt or sleeveless top and pants would be fine in the hot tub Jane. I had decided if I went in the one where we go in Cornwall it would be in a T shirt and some sturdy pants.......nothing with loose elastic or 'Kiss Me Quick' on them! :-D If it isn't too warm I think it would be relaxing.......good to have a new experience anyway!

The children have been back at school for a few days here Mandy. OH was asking someone at a school how it had gone and the response was the children were absolutely brilliant and following all the rules and happy to be back in school. The parents were awful though, hugging each other as they hadn't seen each other for a while, blocking the entrance where the children needed to come in and gathering together outside the school gates.....no social distancing!! :-S How can these parents expect us to believe they are worried about the risk of their children returning to school when they are behaving like that themselves?

That was an 'ouch' bill for your car Mel, but at least it is all fine again now for the winter. I hope your toe isn't too painful today but I expect it will be turning all colours with the bruising soon. Did you manage to keep comfortable with it last night?

Hope you have a good trip home AnnG without too many bumps and humps! As Mel says you will have a glut of toms! Ours have gone mad this last week.

Afternoon all

It's been grey and wet all day here and it is so cold. I managed a walk this morning between showers and went out wearing a short sleeved polo shirt, a long sleeved pullover and a fleece and was just comfortably warm; certainly not too hot. It's more like late October than August.

OH got back sometime after 6 last night and seemed remarkably cheerful after all his waiting around. Our friend is an NHS patient but the hospital is a specialist private hospital. He just kept being shunted from room to room for eye photos, scans and tests and guess what.......they are doing it all again in 2 weeks time. This time he has an early appointment so they will have to leave here by 7 am!

Gill, you do keep busy. I don't know where you get your energy from. I am glad you are feeling quite a bit better.

Mandy, I will certainly let you have the quiche recipe if I find it. I can't even remember what it looked like but I don't think it was in a cookery book so I probably cut it from a magazine. I like the sound of your quiche Mel, so I might be giving that one a try.

Did you get Thomas to the cattery OK, Jane, or did the naughty boy manage to go walkabout again?

AnnG, I'm sorry to hear you have got back problems again. Hopefully you'll have a reasonable night and your back will be a bit easier tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a smooth ride home, the last thing you want is to be bumping over pot holes. Safe journey.

Oh, Ann, I did smile at your Sunday lunch. An early meal is one thing but 24 hours early is ridiculous :-D I expect you miss your meals out but I bet your OH is getting to like being served home cooked meals. The most adventurous I've been so far is to have a shandy outside a pub but I do wonder if I am being a bit over cautious. We very seldom have takeaways anyway but we do have a meal out now and then and I think the last time we did that was end of February. We did have a table booked for a meal on our wedding anniversary but we started lockdown that week so that didn't happen. I am still very wary and careful but I am beginning to feel the need for a bit more normality in my life. By the way, the children started back to school early round your way didn't they? Most round here don't start till 7th September, though new intake might start a day or two earlier.

I hope Frank is OK, and Island too. Perhaps Frank is just busy with his family.

OH has just appeared with a cuppa so I'm going to drink it while it's hot and then I'll start thinking about cooking dinner.

Yes Thomas is at the Cattery now.Chris took him over at 1 o clock.It was a matter of grabbing him quickly and shoving him in the carrier before he knew what was happening.Poor boy.
I shall pack tomorrow including my winter dressing gown.Its been really chilly today and we have put the heating on for a bit.
Hannah has arrived with a Spag Bol that she has made.It does smell good.I will have some rice instead of spaghetti as it is easier for me to eat.
Ann I bet you will be all mixed up with the days now for a while.That was a very very early Sunday lunch :-D

Vera your OH is so kind taking his friend for the treatment and then having to do it again in a fortnight.such a long day.

I am being called .Dinner is ready

Wow that was a day and a half. We had just cleared away after breakfast and I was going to pack when there was a load of noise downstairs and our son, daughter in law and grandson and granddaughter walked in. They had stayed at a hotel over night. Not long after Inara and family arrived and a few hours later our third eldest grandson and his fiancée walked in. So there were Thirteen of us for the barbecue. Daughter and son and families gave us a card which said they had transferred £400 to our account to pay for a weekend away when we want to go. Both grandsons brought us u usual bottles of gin. One is Japanese which should be interesting.

Only the grandson and fiancée who are up here now for the week are left now. I am mostly packed up.

Yes Jane it is the same back problem as I had earlier on.
Hope it is not too cold for you and enjoy the hot tub.

Mel ouch that was a good bill for the car.

Annx :-D Sunday lunch early Saturday!
Are you having colour on your hair?

Gill pleased that you are better and hope the coats dried ok.

Vera that was a long day for your oh..

Mandy yes the little cat is a poser.

Glad you all liked the photo.

Hope you enjoyed your dinner Jane. Always nice when someone else cooks it. That was a lot of drink Chris picked up for you so how many do you have to have a day?

Gill I'm pleased you seem to be over the water infection. Perhaps you just were'nt drinking enough with oh being at work. I know my oh is always wanting coffee or tonic water. They are the only things he drinks and he won't drink tap water or water from the filter jug and he dos'nt drink tea either just his black coffee no sugar.

Vera good you got a walk in before the nasty weather arrived. It has been cooler here today but has been sunny most of the day. This weekend is usually the dog show here in the Gardens but not this year and I had a load of things too for the raffle which shall have to wait till next year now if we get a dog show next year. Your hubby is very good taking his friend to the hospital and waiting all that time. Are there no hospital cars now picking up people? Mum used to pay £10 for a trip and back to Exeter when she had radiotherapy.

Ann I did laugh at your Sunday dinner! Ha ha ha :-D :-D :-D :-D thats the kind of thing I may do. I never know what day it is and the weeks pass so quickly. Like I have said before we don't go out much so are not missing it. I sometimes wish I could have a look around the shops in Bideford like I did when shopping there each week and it was my day out of these walls literally.

My toe did'nt hurt at all last night. I put a thinish plaster on it and then some kiten paper over all my toes and then a sock. I could'nt stand a sock on both feet but I was so tired I must have dropped off straight away. I hav'nt looked at it today but have worn my wellies whenever I have been out. Going to the shop this morning earlier as oh wanted petrol for the mowers I had to wait a bit as there were two people in front of me but by the time I came out there were at least 6 lots of bodies waiting in a line and I had two little lads behind me who were'nt social distancing. Glad I did'nt go any later. In the end we did'nt go for the petrol till late afternoon as I wanted to clean the big girls out. they are all nice and clean for another week now. Lots and lots of red mite aroudn this year and there was loads in the house and on the perch ends. I need to get the perches out and soak them then pressure wash them to get the mess off as the mites get under it. Its a wonder my girls have any blood left in them poor things.

Still laughing about that Sunday dinner, it really tickled me............... :-D :-D :-D

Ha, ha yes I just hope I get the right day for my hair appointment next week. I'm losing the plot with days now! :-) When we ate out we would get to the carveries that opened at 11.30am for that time, as the food would be piping hot and fresh then and no queuing which we hate. Lunch today was about 11.15am so not much earlier. But since the virus we have eaten later at home at 12.00pm-1.00pm so it did seem very early today! It made a nice long afternoon though, so I tidied up a bit more in the study and unpacked the watercolour pencils I sent for and the silver earring hooks to make some earrings with and my new kitchen timer.

That's good Thomas is safely at the cattery Jane, so no need to worry he will take himself off! Well you have plenty of those drinks. Is it 1 a day or will you need to take them all with you? I thought the blackcurrant one looked nice.

You've done well keeping up your walks Vera. It's something I miss but just can't do now. Still I can still potter about a bit so am luckier than some. I'm still doing my cycle stints which must help.

No colour this time AnnG so I'm not sure why they sent me the colour questionnaire but perhaps they just send both. I just have lowlights put in every 3rd trim.

An early night for us as we are both ready for bed. Hope everyone has a good night.