General Chat

Maybe it is just Goucester hospitals that have (or had) no visiting at all.
or maybe they didn't consider that T was having end of life care. I don't think any of them actually knew much about what was wrong with him to be honest.

Tesco eventually got here at 11.45 then I had a message from Charles to say he would be round after 3 so at 1215 I went out into the garden to potter and at 2.15 I realised I had not had any lunch!!! And was still out there. I Must go out to the garage and look for a cup hook, I have a plaque to hang up down the garden. I have arranged things down there,our place to sit for our evening drink and very special to me. I bought a small Buddha in a hand and placed him down there he apparently signifies peace and tranquility. I sat down there for a moment and it feels very peaceful and there are several things from other parts of the garden that T was fond of too and a couple of nice plaques so it is not a place for sadness but memories.

I feel quite proud of myself as I found a tool that I bought TChristmas 2019 it is a small folding hand saw and I was able to saw off the very thick branches of the hardy fuchsias on the wall in front of the conservatory. I have never ever used a saw of any kind before. I also cut off some of the hellebore leaves that were smothering the peony which I noticed was starting to grow, cut off a dead branch of the gooseberry and the rest of it looks OK, We thought it had died at the end of last summer, the rhubarb is just about showing and I cut back some of the clematis which had died off so I assume that is what I am supposed to cut.

I then cleaned out the bird bath down the bottom and the water feature under the apple tree. and pruned the Salvias and also cut back the penstemon. And put some grasses and other stuff in poys ready for daughter to take back with her.

Charles has been and collected his rubbish and has also measured up the conservatory rook for a polycarbonate roof I chose cloudy rather than clear and hope that will stop the glare in summer.

so I have had a busy and productive day.

Yu've got a lovely lot done today Anng. I did go up the border for a while after lunch and dug out a huge tuber from the bearded iris that was heading towards the lawn. unfortunately the mower had already taken the leaves off so I shall have to find a spot in the sun for it and hope it grows.

Dug out some Mollis and some creeping lilly things that grow everywhere. They've go9t right into the iris's. Cut back the other clematis too and managed to knock a nice big shoot off one of the peonies.

Evening All,

It ended up quite sunny today, so I did a bit more planting of seeds! Some more saved Snapdragons and some Livingstone daises. If they all come up I will be planting the daisies in the gravel, but they do look pretty so it would be nice.

Before I forget you kindly asked about OH's ear Mandy. He finished the antibiotics after a week, but was told to keep up the eardrops for a fortnight after the infection had cleared up, so he stopped the drops yesterday. It seems fine now and his 'selective' hearing is back to normal! :-D Our switchover is a week on Friday hopefully but they haven't given a time yet..

That was a nasty bout of being ill Island! I'm glad you seem to be ok again now and these bugs could come from something in the garden or soil, even a bird wiping it's beak on something you then touched. Then dogs poke their noses and tongues in all sorts too and then lick us!

Speaking of dogs my friend brought her 8 week old Whippet puppy home yesterday. He is a golden fawn and white and really lovely. One of the big cats was a bit wary but the other was brought up with dogs so wasn't bothered. Her rescue cat on the other hand introduced herself by clouting him!! He won't mess with her will he!

Frank a trip out in the car will do you good. You should go for the ride with Ros when she goes to the chemist and places like that. It's what we do and just a change of scene for half an hour helps. You are making me so glad we don't have a lawn, even though there is nothing to beat a nice lawn in the summer. I hope you can find someone else for the time being and that poor Barry will soon recover. He must be quite worried about losing customers with everyone wanting their gardens doing now.

Vera how sad for that poor man. How do you cope with knowing nothing more can be done when you have been through so much. That was a nice thought to drop a card through the door Vera. We did that when our neighbour's husband passed away. At least they know you are thinking of them.

It did sound as if they didn't think it was end of life care yet with T AnnG. I think it may be that you have to ask about visiting arrangements, at least now, and some may have different rules. I doubt any visiting was allowed in the city here as it was in lockdown most of last year. That's nice making your special place where you would sit even more special with some nice objects. You have got lots done again today. We bought a pruning saw that folds a few years ago and sounds like what you have. It has been a boon for cutting through stems that were difficult for the pruners and you can get inbetween the branches easier than with an ordinary saw.

My parents wouldn't have anything on HP either. Mum always said if you can't afford it, wait till you can and I have been the same. She wouldn't have catalogues either, We have bought a few new cars on interest free credit, so we could earn interest ourselves on the outstanding money, but always had the total money to pay for them if we'd wanted to. We found household accounts that MIL kept like you AnnG. They used to save for things with small insurance policies and the insurance man would call each week for their payment.

I wonder how Gill got on at the Doctor's. I hope she is ok and just busy 'interviewing' workmen to get some quotes. Also Sandra and whether she's in her flat yet?

Annx T did once say not long before he died, ‘can you come and see me?’ I told him I thought I was not allowed but to as the nurse. He did ask and was told no visiting. It always preys on my mind. I will never forget that he wanted to see me and couldn’t.

In the early 70s we bought a chest freezer on HP. But a couple of months later were uncomfortable about it and paid it off. We have bought a few things on six ,Months interest free credit but always paid it up in full. I did buy a few things on a friends catalogue but usually paid them off early too.

Annx T did once say not long before he died, ‘can you come and see me?’ I told him I thought I was not allowed but to ask the nurse. He did ask and was told no visiting. It always preys on my mind. I will never forget that he wanted to see me and couldn’t.

In the early 70s we bought a chest freezer on HP. But a couple of months later were uncomfortable about it and paid it off. We have bought a few things on six ,Months interest free credit but always paid it up in full. I did buy a few things on a friends catalogue but usually paid them off early too.

I'm here Ann

Yes I've been very busy and have taken the hedge out now, OH helped on the last day as he was working nights all week. All we need to do now is get rid of the rubbish and there's a lot of it, then OH can make a start on digging all the roots out. I've bought him a new spade as an early birthday present, it's a trench spade I think it's called, the gasmen had one when they were doing the pipes and made digging look really easy so OH wanted one with us having so much gardening to do.

I'm not sure what the blossom trees are, the blossom is fading now so I'll keep an eye out incase they are some kind of fruit trees. I think they may just been ornamental cherry or apple blossom trees, but it'll be interesting to know for sure.

I went to the doctors and she thinks I've got an infection so I'll pick my prescription up on Tuesday as it wasn't in on Wednesday and I forgot all about it on Thursday with working in the garden, then of course the Chemist was shut on Friday and doesn't open again until Tuesday. The doctor still wants me to go for a scan though and said I should hear when the appointment is in about 3 to 4 weeks time. I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but not knowing would be worse. Thankfully I've not had anymore symptoms since last weekend so although I'm a bit worried I'm not as bad as I was. Keeping busy is helping.

Both OH and I have been really busy this week. Sky came yesterday so that's finally sorted and OH bought some cable so he could put Sky in our bedroom which we are still living in at the moment. It's so nice to have a reliable TV now. I decided to put the Sky app on my laptop as I wanted to watch the first two episodes of The Flight Attendant I'd missed and they allowed me to watch all 8 of them, so that kept me busy today, watching them all, one after the other.

The gardener didn't turn up in the end which is why I've been so busy cutting the hedge down myself. Apart from a few injuries I've quite enjoyed being out in the garden again and can see a bit more of the fields at the bottom now. The garden isn't that much shorter than our last garden, which you all know was about 80 foot long and our new garden is much wider almost twice as wide as our old one, so it's going to take us quite some time to sort it out as it's not been touched for decades according to the neighbour.

Our next door neighbour has a lovely little black cat and he's starting to get used to me now, he sat in our garden watching me work the other day. He's so pretty for a male cat and such a cutie. We also had a black and white cat watching as well, although I don't know who he/she belongs to yet and there's another black cat, who at first I thought was next doors cat, but it turned out not to be. So an area of cat lovers, just like me. ;-)

I'm quite tired now, so I'm off to bed shortly. Just going to make myself a quick drink first. I hope you are all keeping well. Night Night

good morning gill, good morning all. Happy Easter to everyone.

Gill good to see you on here, my goodness you have been busy, you didn't say what sort of hedge it was that you are removing is it a prickly one? It must be lovely to have more light in the garden now and to be able to see your 'land'. How exciting even though it is hard work. Good luck to Sandra in her new home, I am sure she will be very happy there and will soon build up the amount of furniture she needs. Are s services able to help her with providing anything like a cooker etc?
Don't forget to collect that prescription, you don't want the infection to get worse, that is what Tony started with, a mild infection although, of course you are younger and more able to fight it, you mustn't leave it.

good morning everyone else you are all sleepyheads this morning, Easter lie in???? sunny here at the moment, there was a frost I think but it had gone by the time I got up it is 1 degrees out there now. still a bit chilly.

What is on the cards for today then? More gardening for me, and for mel I expect, I still have a couple of areas to weed, not my favourite job in the garden but must be done.

Better get on and wash my hair, have a shower. BBL

Morning Ann and all

Not so much a sleepyhead as nodding again here Ann after a something past six four legged alarm clock :-(
Jack Frost had been but we have a bright start, forecast says plenty of sunshine and 15c for today.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall at Gills new abode :-D Hard work but so exciting!

No plans for today as yet apart from waking up again.

Happy Easter everybody. <3

Morning Island. Yes a fly on the wall, as long as I was not having to shift that hedge, got enough to do here :-) :-) Hope you eventually managed a bit more sleep,

Morning girls and all,

A Happy Easter to you all and I hope you get eggs.

I was up at 7am for the loo and looked out and there was frost everywhere so I went back to bed as oh had only just turned the heating on. Then woke with cramp in my right leg. Now it just aches a bit. It must have been the way I stand and weed as I bend from my waist. Anyway not sure if I will go up there today but I expect I will at some point and do a bit of cutting down.

Gill its good you have the hedge out but you must have sooooooooo much stuff to get rid of. Where on earth have you put it all? The cat are probably annoyed at you taking the hedge out as it was probably their hunting ground. They were thinking whose this detroying our peaceful play area?

I was in bed by 11.33pm last night. Just so tired I could'nt keep my peepers open so off I went. Feel refreshed this morning.

Suns shining and it is saying 19 degrees out there and 16 degrees in here.

Good Morning and Happy Easter,

I slept ok last night, but OH paid for eating later than he should with some indigestion/reflux. He got no sympathy as I tell him till I'm blue in the face that eating after 6pm isn't actually good, but especially with reflux. I've told him I'll have to tuck in to his easter egg!! :-D

Gill you have done well cutting all the hedge down as it would be hard work. Couldn't you get rid of it with a bonfire? There must be some space in the garden down the bottom where you could have one and if you did it in the evenings a bit at a time, no-one would have washing out then. You are allowed to have them in smokeless zones as well. Are those trench spades the ones that are almost pointed? When the laid cable here the workmen used some like that. That's good you have SKY sorted out now and I must look at the app as I could use it on my laptop. Since our box stopped recording I have been watching some things on Hub and the iplayer on my laptop. I see you have had an audience and I bet the cats are interested in all the activity going on! That's good you will be getting the scan done and will know where you are then. It was good the doctor is treating you for an infection too as they can make you feel unwell.

A roast chicken for lunch today with stuffing, roast pots and parsnip, sprouts, french beans, carrot, broc and cauli. I haven't touched my easter egg yet.

I wonder if Mandy's grandchildren have found all the eggs on the hunt yet?

Mel I have to bend at the waist to do any planting or weeding. I wish I could still squat or kneel. At least I can still touch my toes though so can bend well! lol.

It looks really nice out so I may go and do a bit more outside after lunch. I said to OH that we must get out for a drive next week after the easter crowds have gone.

Good idea to get outside AnnG and get some more weeds out while it is so nice.

Better check the chicken now!

A bit of good news. I am going to have (all being well) another great grandchild in October/November. Date not sure yet. a brother or sister for Inara who is so excited. Ar the moment Mum is sufering a bit, she had a really easy first pregnancy so this is coming hard to her. She is being closely monitored as she has had some bleeding but baby is fine. she has to have monthly scans at the moment. she is overweight.

Did I tell you I was looking for a cup hook yesterday? I looked every where, all over the house in drawers etc, in the shed turned out trays of stuff and all over the greenhouse and conservatory. Not a cup hook anywhere. And I really looked because at the time I wanted it. spooked just now. walked into the greenhouse and there alone on the shelf right in front of my eyes is a brand new silver coloured cup hook!!!!  I am convinced it was not there before.

I tell you it is not white feathers in this house it is screws and things although I have not found a screw now for about a week.

Hi to LaGooner nice to see you pop in.

Anng thats wonderful news and something to look forward too a new little life. Congrats to your daughter from me. Hope she feels better soon. <3

This morning oh decided to cut down the ivy out of the pieris which it like a tree now. It also had a wild rose growing in it. He took 5 BIG trailer loads over the bonfire but the plant looks much tidier now and can get more light. We watched the bees in the flowers as they love it and its in full bloom. He's still over the west wall doing something, probably getting the brimbles out of the other shrubs along there. I am going back up my border in a min after posting this.

Going back to bonfires I think you are not supposed to light them untill after 6pm and not if the smoke should go across a road. I am sure Gill and G could get rid of a lot of that hedge by having smallish fires after dark.

My Easter Egg was a big box of Black Magic chocs from oh. I gave him dark choc gingers and he had his fleecey lined shirt the other week when he needed it when it was cold and he was doing the lawn.

I have eaten just one choc the caramel heart. :-D :-D :-D Hav'nt I been a good girl?

I think you mean congratulations to my granddaughter in law Mel, my daughter would be very surprised if she was pregnant at her age. :-D :-D

another two hours out there this afternoon, most of the hard work has been done now I think and the garden bin is full.

Evening all,

Hope you've all enjoyed your Easter day and not eaten to much chocolate .

AnnG that's lovely news congratulations to your granddaughter in law it will be some thing to look forward too later in the year .
You've been busy in the garden again ,i did sow my cucumber seed ,some large cues and some small ,i then found another packet of small cue seed that was from last year so put a few of these in too ,don't know if they will come up but they have two chances .

Yes Ann All eggs found ,i count them out and then in just to make sure they find them all and that Max doesn't find one .
It was so lovely to have the family here again even if it is at a distance still ,they were so excited ,Max went loopy round and round the garden and he's flopped all afternoon .
We sat out in the sun this afternoon it was nice and warm got to make the most of it as its all change tomorrow back to cooler days .

Gill you have been busy ,would it be better to try and clear your garden and have a big skip ,if you can't burn it it's going to take several trips to get rid of it all .
What a shame you didn't think of your prescription you could have been taking it over the weekend ,now it's going to be another couple of days before you can start taking it .
Thats good you have sky sorted now at least you can relax with a little tele .
Has Sandra heard anything about her flat yet ?

Suns still shining and i can see blue sky still ,it's nice to have the light evenings .

Sorry Anng congrat to your granddaughter in law. I bet inara can't wait.

I missed your post about the hook Anng. Things like that happen to me too. I just ask the borrowers if I can have it back please three times. It worked for Vera once when she was looking for something.

I have just spent 15 mins looking for my seccies which I had used up the border a few mins ago. I looked everywhere I had been working and was convinced that oh had come up behind me and taken them as he was clearing the west wall. I did the can I have them back please thing and carried on weeding. Put my hand in my pocket for a hanky and bingo there they were. They are not soemthing you really want in your pocket because they have special handles which makes them very big but I had my smock on with the big pockets in front.

You've done well to fill the garden bin AnnG and it must be satisfying to see another load of weeds gone. What lovely news to hear of hopefully another great grandchild! Something else for you to knit now the hats are done! :-D Might mean a little boy this time if she is finding this pregnancy different.

Mel you have been good just having one chocolate! (one I like too!). I have eaten my Thorntons one with a bunny on the front now and OH even gave me a bit of his!

O Mandy popped in while I was typing.

I can smell smoke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh must have lit his fire.

Going to read Mandy's post now.