General Chat

Morning Vera ,morning all,

Same weather here too Vera very cloudy ,I have just hung some washing out and it is moving on the line so there's a little wind ,there's odd socks from Colin one is a black ribbed sock the other is black and plain so he's had odd socks on :-D oh well there's another pair like that in the sock drawer :-D

Nothing exciting happening here ,oh we did have the fire engine turn up yesterday I think it was for the elderly peoples flats where the alarm keeps going off ,they just check it and off they go .

My Tomato seeds are all through ,is it to early to put cucumber seeds in yet ?

Right coffee first and then I'll get the hoover out .

Morning Ann didn't spot your post .

I think it might be too early if you are not going to be growing the cucumbers in a heated greenhouse, there could still be frosts.

Morning Anng Mandy and Vera and All,

That could well be all except Annx and Frak if he pops in.

Yes much too early for Cucumber seed to be down even in the conservatory really I'd wait till the endish of April so they're through by May and have a month in before going in the greenhouse. The seed packet should tell you when to so indors or out.

I think we all have the same weather today as its dull and grey here too and there dos'nt look like theres much wind.

Usual shop sometime this morning and drop off Em's eggs.

Good morning all (JUST) Nothing going on here today.

Ros is out with Martine, and will bring lunch in with her. I have requested a CORNISH PASTY, for a change from a sandwich.

Very overcast here today, I did venture out, but was glad to get back in doors in the warm.

Roast lamb for dinner tomorrow, I will de the veg etc later this afternoon.


Even after a good nights sleep, I am feeling tired. So mights get FORTY WINKS before madam comes home.

Are we allowed to travel ?? The reason I ask, is that Ros would like to go to visit Conrad and Jan in Devon. I am not sure if we are allowed, that's why I asked.

Signing off now, but will pop back later. xxxx

Still no luck with a builder, I've left a messages Vera for one of the builders you told me about, I couldn't find number's for the other two. The one I left a message with never got back to me so I still haven't got one yet. Thanks for letting me know about them though, that was very kind of you.

Thanks Mel for the "New Home" card it arrived this morning. Love the cake pic and lovely pic of the bird.

I think we've got an apple blossom tree in our garden, I'm not sure as I can't see much of it, but if we have I'll be thrilled as I love blossom tree's. OH thinks they leave a mess so isn't keen on them, but I think it looks like confetti and very pretty. He's taken some more rubbish to the tip so is slowly making some space ready for when we start to take the hedge out. I think the garden is quite big as Mel sent me some aerial photo's so I'm looking forward to it being cleared so I can see how big it is from ground level.

Frank no, sorry you can't travel yet. April sometime I think you may be able to so not long But you need to check beffore you go if it is ok.

gill have you found if there is a community site on line or local newsletters with adverts? Have you asked your neighbours for advice?


I am exhausted now. Just cleaned out most of the greenhouse, cut back the hanging basket fuchsias in there and emptied the growbag and tomato tubs, swept up all the cobwebs, spiders been having a web party I reckon. Need to do the windows and the floor but thought if I didn't do it soon it was going to catch up with me when I need it.

the shed also needs clearing out but I am too tired to do it today after doing the conservatory yesterday. Oh I also walked down with a pair of T's shoes I found for charity.

Gill if you are on facebook go to groups and in search put community groups ****** (your area). there are some you just have to join them.

AnnG, that’s how I found a couple of builders’ names for Gill. I’m not on Facebook, just don’t “do” social media, but some groups are open for all to see.

You make me feel lazy with all you have done today. You must be exhausted. I’ve done next to nothing except sit at the computer. We are going to try and book a week’s self catering break in September but lots of places are already booked right through to late October. I’ve shortlisted 5 places, all in Lincolnshire which we don’t know very well. It isn’t too far away either.

Frank, google something like Covid 19 Rules and the government sites will tell you what is allowed and not allowed and don’t forget that the rules can change at anytime so keep an eye on them.

I'm not on Facebook AnnG, but thanks anyway. One of our neighbour's said if we need any tradesmen to ask him, but when OH asked about a builder he didn't know any.

I spoke to a builder the other day after calling him several times but he's busy until June, so I might ring him and book the job in for June at least then I'll know it's going to be done. I can always cancel if I find someone else before then. The property has been standing for about 60 years so I don't think it's going to fall down but one corner is letting the rain in and I don't want the floorboards rotting, so I need to find someone to fix the problem before it gets any worse. Who'd of thought trying to find a builder would be so hard.

I've just finished doing the 2021 census online, I didn't realise the date and it had to be done by tomorrow, so at least that's one job out of the way now.

I'm going to move some boxes out of the way in the living room so we can get the electric fire out of there and put it in the hall, two of the three heaters we bought aren't working properly and this place is cold. I'm getting used to it now with being in here 24/7 but OH works in a hot care home so feels the cold when he comes home. It's a good job we have a wide hallway so we can put the fire and surround in there. We have so many boxes in the living room the fire can't be used in there at the moment so it make sense to move it so it can be used elsewhere.

Two out of three not working doesn't sound very good Gill, where did you buy them, you should be able to return them if you have not had them long.

Have you tried looking for a bricklayer rather than a builder they are more likely to take on small jobs.

Sorry you are still having trouble finding a builder Gill. Ask your neighbours if there is a local newsletter or if the local church has a Church News as this is where small tradesmen advertise. I've just looked at the last newsletter for this area and there were 4 adverts from sole traders offering general property maintenance and prepared to do small jobs. Have you looked in the classified ads in your local newspaper? As AnnG says, if your heaters were new when you moved and 2 of them aren't working, they should go back as they are not fit for purpose.

Well, I have booked us a self-catering place for a week from 11th September. It's something to look forward to and hopefully we won't be back in another lockdown by then. It's just outside Skegness. I know how the wind blows off the North Sea so it could be quite bracing. This cottage was my 2nd choice but my 1st choice wasn't available till mid-October and it could be a bit chilly by then.

I say "my" choice because as well as head cook and bottle washer I am social secretary and booking clerk but the lord and master will say to people "we" did this or that when he's taken no part in arranging it at all. His excuse is "You are better at researching things than me", to which my answer is "You need the practice" ;-)

Vera as long as you have it in writing that the social secretsry’s decision is final and no blame lies with her if things go wrong.

It has not been nice at all here all day until the sun showed its face about half an hour ago.

Evening All,

I swear your OH is cut from the same cloth as mine Vera as that is just what OH would say and my reply would be the same as yours. They take no notice though do they. The only time my OH booked us a break at a B&B, he managed to book 2 single rooms!!! lol. The lady's face was a picture and I could only imagine her thoughts as she showed us to our two rooms, but not such a picture as mine was!! I hope you find a nice place for a break in September. We often used to go away then as the weather can be good, but it gets a bit chilly in the evenings. I haven't seen a Greenfinch for years now, so it must have been lovely to see your two on the feeder!

AnnG you are a star with all you have got done today, you are showing us all a clean pair of heels and getting on so well with everything. OH managed to pull out some weeds and said he half filled the garden bin this morning and he has cleared out one of his cupboards that had all kinds of instructions for things he no longer has. I saw him put decades of diaries back though, but he says he will be going through them. He seems to have his eye on the space he is making for more books! The reason we have the extra security is because talktalk had that breach and loss of data a few years ago. The extra protection is to stop anyone being able to hack into their website again and steal data.

I have had another tech headache day. SKY's stopped working so we have no TV at all now. :-S The SKY boxes wouldn't connect to the new router following the instructions on screen. After much faffing with the booklets, looking online and trying different things, I switched everything, including the router, off and booted them up again one by one. Miraculously, the big tv stayed on long enough to see a picture and so know the main box had connected. (that tv disconnects after 10 minutes and has been out of action for a year now!!) The mini boxes still won't connect so it looks like we might need a wifi booster from what I can gather? I shall have to ring SKY on Monday, so more fun to come! OH has registered with the iplayer and ITV hub so he can watch footie on his laptop.

That's good your tomato seeds are through Mandy. I love to see seedlings poking their way through. I think I planted my cue seeds in April last year, but it was in the greenhouse. I still haven't looked to see if I have any left from last year that I can plant.

Mel it sounds like you caught the Shrew in the nick of time if she was about to have babies! :-0

Although I do a lot on the computer I have never done any of the holiday booking, except for our long Tenerife stays and our Spanish holidays both booked with GR friends. T was excellent at organising all the accommodation, flights etc.

I needed to get going with things in the garden as there is quite a lot to do and it helps to be busy. I was dreading uncovering a spider though there were so many cobwebs. T was a bit naughty he was not very good at keeping his greenhouse tidy and organised.

That is a nuisance with the new router causing problems we had to have a Wfi booster I think that was after we had a new router.

I have been in the garden all afternoon as there was no wind to speak of so it did'nt feel cold although the sky has been grey all day today.

I cut down the windflowers down the garden by the bantams and then moved to the front of the bungalow and cut back the big hydranga by the front door. It did'nt get done last year so really needed it.

Weeded the two tubs with the clematis in but not all of the weeds as there are a lot of seedlings from the Scilla that are in there. pULLED ALL THE OLD LEAVES OFF THE FERN THAT GROW AROUND THE TUBS AND TOOK ALL THE DEAD SWEET PEAS stalks down ready to put the new lot in for this year.

Put a lot on the bonfire and burnt that up but I don't htink it burned for long. Came in absolutely knackered and gasping for a drink. Thought I had done the washing up from lunch but put water in the bowl and then went out in the garden and got lost.

So tonight I am very tired.

That's interesting you had a booster AnnG. I know the art teacher has one and am going to ask her if she got hers after getting a new router. I just hope there are no more problems when they've done the switchover to fibre! I'm afraid I wouldn't have a clue about booking flights etc as we have only gone abroad by ferry and coach. It sounds like T was a dabhand at organising those things. I know some organise their own 'package' and save a lot of money. I have to confess I'm not good at keeping the greenhouse tidy and OH is good and has a spring tidy up in there for me! I think it grates with him as he has a tidy mind. We have hardly done a thing outside yet, but I must get cracking, even if it's short bursts. I miss being able to walk around fast and kneel and stand for ages. It is quite frustrating at times.

I meant to say Vera, I didn't know that is what would happen with car tax that is refunded after you die. You would have thought there would have been an explanation with it though.

That wasn't nice to come in and find the washing up needed doing after all that work you had done in the garden Mel. I would have just wanted a sit down with a cuppa! Have you seen your baby fish yet this year?

I didn't know there was a refund of car tax after death, I do know there is a refund after a car is sold. One way or another I should be getting a cheque which I have not had as yet, Car tax will be refunded on death because it cannot be transferred to another person, so if the remaining partner is to keep the car it will need to be transferred to them. DVLA will pick it up if a 'Tell us once' form is completed.

Annx I don't know much about the booster but It was to improve reception downstairs (router is upstairs) and on the network. T's computer was fine as his is in the same room as the router but mine was often dropping out, it was much improved after we had the booster,

I have to do a bit more tidying in the greenhouse but I have got Charles (the man who does the jobs around the garden and house, coming this morning at 11am (after the food delivery at 10-11am). so it will have to wait until later.
I am not naturally tidy and neither was T.

Morning Anng and all,

Another grey day here but not much in the way of a breeze so it feels a bit warmer out there.

Not many aches from yesterdays gardening but hands are a bit stiff this morning.

Hope you all slept well as I did after all the work I did yesterday.

Would'nt know anything about routers as oh deals with all that all I know is there is something plugged in in the spare bedroom and I think that may be a router as I have been told never to turn it off.

Neither oh or I are tidy people and at the momenet my poor desk is a mess and needs tidying up and I was only thinking that yesterday and thought I would have a go at it today as I wanted to take advantage of the weather to do some gardening.

Must have been inspired by Gardeners World on Friday. Today I must sow my tom seeds.

Morning AnnG and All,

Slept well and nice sunshine here.

Hope you get everything with your food delivery AnnG and Charles sounds like someone we could all do with! It's a nice morning here so I think I will go and check out the greenhouse and find my seeds to see what I need to buy and what I can plant now.

OH is putting the washing out for me so I will get showered and off to the greenhouse! Lunch is easy lamb shanks today and the veg is already prepared.

We didn't get our picture to paint tomorrow sent till last night so I need to do a rough sketch ready later on. We are doing a vase of roses which looks complicated! I think I have done more painting on these courses than in the rest of my life! It is good in that I don't have that blank page inertia and angst anymore though.