General Chat

Luckily it is in a safe place Mel, that is the gdanger when bonfires are left smouldering when in a dangerous place.

Lol the alarm clock is made of very light metal and is 2 X 3 inches in size, it is very light and would not have done any damage even if it landed on my head. Ideal as a trav el alarm clock becuae it is so light but I only bought it last month.

It is windy hear no,had a few spots of rain mut nothing much.

Just weent out the backdoor and its still alight like a volcano with a whisp of smoke coming out the top!!!!!!!!!!

Morning Anng and all,

Dull and grey here this morning but not much wind yet as you say Anng. We are back to turning lights on and oh just went put to the workshop and said he was turning the lights on in there. I have to wait by the fuse box and turn the leccy back on afgter he's turned the lights on in the workshop. They always knock the leccy out as the box is so sensitive but he won't have it any other way being an X Firefighter, he says its a good thing.

Just having my first coc of the day and then I am going to get on outside while I can.

Anng you were lucky if the clock hit your bedside table that it did'nt land on you let alone your glass of water!! That could have been really nasty. I don't think you will be puttig it there again.

Last night after doig the pots etc I had dumped all the moss and old dirt out of pots over my bonfire sight. As oh had said it was going to rain I put one tissue under it and set it alight and walked away thinking it was going to fire up as it did have some soil in the last bucketfull. Went out late last night and saw a glow. It was still alight when I went to be at nearly 1am so I will be going over to have a look and see how much burnt away. It was only smouldering with a little burst of sparks now and then. I couldn't believe it when I saw a glow as I never expected it to light.

good morning all, a bit grey here but no wind or rain yet.

Slept until 0430ish, woke and went to the loo, then woke at 0700 with a jump. I have a new travel alarm that I had been testing, it is a buzzer and vibrating one (to put under the pillow). It was standing on a small glass shelf, top of 3 shelves in a small alcove by mu bed. I must have left the alarm switched on. I woke when it fell off and hit the bedside table (how it missed the glass of water I don't knoe). That was dead on 0700 so I guess the alarm worked in not quite the way I need it to. I did test it last week under the pillow but was awake when it went off but I think it would wake me.

Forgot to say looking forward to the boat picture tomorrow.

Yes I have been in the garden again nearly all day. We did watch the race but I went out after and got lots done and tidied away. I got the old dirt out of a wirte planter thing that had been in there years with just a pot of day lilies on top which of course had rooted into the soil in the planter. With it being dry I lifed the opt and the whole lots came out in one go and not too heavy as it was dry. I them had to cut it up with my little spade and cut the roots off the bottom of the pot to take it away for repotting or planting somewhere. I emptied the aquarium that has also been in the garden for donkeys yonks and that will go behind my shed in the storage area. Moved his fishing trolly with the block on it that he puts against my runner bean tub and moved that behind my shed. It has a puncture in one wheel. Bagged up all the old compost into two big bags and a tub and had a sweep up. Washed teo ssoak trays and got one in my shed and put the big one in front of the shed and tranfered all the plants into it. Put away anything that is likely to get blown around if we get this wind they keep saying we are going to get tomorrow. Came in at 8.8pm. Forgot to buy the pasties for tea tonight yesterday so we had a cake party instead. Battenburg and sultana and cherry cake.

Thats about it for today I am now going int he shower and then watch Call The Midwife on catchup and then bed.

Hope you all sleep well tonight after all your work in the garden today.

Wonder how Frank is and hav'nt heard from Island lately. Just let us know your both ok please.

I just wipe all the fridge and freezer stuff and things we want within 72 hours. The rest, tins, biscuits, sauces, packets, cleaning stuffs etc get put in a plastic crate and are left for 3 days, then OH puts them away. It saves some time. It's the same regime here trotting in and out with plants Vera. I have left the runners and french beans out now, but in a sheltered spot.

It's nice lying in sometimes isn't it Mel? You will soon catch up. Do you have an old sheet or strong polythene you could tie over your greenhouse to take some of the wind force?

I still haven't started my pricking out yet, but did transplant my handful of Cosmos. There were toms, lettuce and snapdragons growing in the same tray that I hadn't planted, so I potted some of those too. Then I had to dash in to deal with lunch. The lamb steaks were lovely and tender and the roasts nice and crunchy.

I did get a load of washing dried but had to fetch it in while still damp as it threatened rain. Then I did a little painting with fishing boats. It was a homework suggestion and OH really liked it so I did my own version of it for him. I'll do a pic tomorrow

No class tomorrow with the Bank Holiday so no early start thank goodness and an early night tonight for me.

It's very quiet on here today; where is everyone? Perhaps you are all busy in your gardens.

Tesco arrived just as I finished my last post. There was just one sub and that was what I had ordered but in a larger size. I did wipe everything down again and then I split some large packs of things into smaller portions to freeze for us so that all took me till midday. Then I cooked a full roast dinner with a pud and we had that at 2 pm. I also got all the towels washed and dried this morning so I feel quite pleased with myself.

After we had eaten and had a cuppa I thought I ought to go for a walk as I am not getting much exercise but then decided I could get fresh air and exercise gardening and that would be more useful. I got another trough planted up with French Marigolds and emptied another pot and did some general tidying up and I've just brought in all the plants that I keep putting out during the day and bringing back into the conservatory at night. Cold nights or not they will have to be planted out next week I think. Some of them are now far too big for the pots they are in and some aren't growing as fast as they should because they are contained by the pots.

It's turned out to be a nice day. Sunny most of the day with just a bit of a breeze. Tomorrow I have to go to the hospital (a 40 mile round trip) for another Covid test and then we will both be self isolating until my scan on Thursday. When OH told our neighbour that we would be self isolating he said he would ring the doorbell and leave our Monday goodies on the doorstep. I wonder what he is going to cook with his grandchildren tomorrow?

Morning Anng, Vera and all,

II had a lie in this morning so am allbehind today already. Suns shining but there are clouds in the sky, big white ones.

Test tomorrow on the plastic greenhouse as we too are forcast high winds. Oh has screwed it down tothe decking but the cover is not that strong.

I may scrub down one of my fairys today to repaint her. She was all white and I think she would look good painted like the big Fairy in two tone grey but she is sitting on a big toadstool and I like that the way it has weathered. So it will be out with the cling film to cover that.

I still wipe down everything but I do leave the paper bags I get at the shop with the ham in and the poly bags with the onions in as I don't tend to use those till 72 hours later.

Morning All,

Sunny here, so I am going to put the washer on and prick out some mesembryanthemum in the greenhouse next before it is too hot.

Yes he does AnnG and he plays his kind of music while I'm still in bed having a COT he brings me. He will do any root veg and brussels any day. I usually do onions that make your eyes stream (well he's a delicate man! lol) and cabbage and green beans, although he will do beans. It all helps though and saves me so much standing. He gets the roasting tins and steamer out for me as well and puts plates in the warming drawer, fills the kettle for the water for the steamer. I was up late for me but slept well last night.

I hope the wipe down is speedy Vera! Yes the weather is certainly going to change and we should be getting the rain we want.

I’m quicker than I used to be with the wiping but I am still doing everything and I am wondering if I could now just wipe stuff that I’ll be using immediately. None of my friends locally seem to wipe down at all. I think I have been a bit over cautious.

morning Vera, must say my wiping down, while still done, is much briefer than it was. Sun is shining here now and 10 degrees apparently. I did go down and remove the fleece an hour ago but it was too cold to say out. Think I will go for a walk before I find some easy jobs to do out there.

Good morning AnnG and all

It’s a bright day so far and about 8 degrees at the moment. There’s only a bit of a breeze. I need to make the most of it as we have warnings of strong winds and heavy showers for Monday and Tuesday but I don’t think I’ll be able to get out the garden much today. I’m waiting on Tesco at the moment. They are coming between 10 and 11 am, then it’s all the wiping down and I will still have lunch to cook and eat.

Sun’s just gone in and it’s looking very grey outside. I hope it’s nice where you are.

Good morning all, bright and 1 degree here so I don't think we had a frost last night. I did put fleece over the plants in the greenhousr though so must remember to go and take that off when I am dressed.

goodness Annx you were up late (for you). does OH get up early to do the veg on Sundays then?

I'm glad you liked my picture which I really enjoyed doing this week.

Vera, I think you sell yourself short as that needlecord is not easy to sew and if those clothes you made were used by several relatives I think they must have been really nice! You mentioning needlecord reminded me of a needlecord skirt, black with small, pink roses on that I wore in my mid to late teens with a black skinny rib jumper.

Yes, the others are right that Sandra mustn't jointly own the flat with her boyfriend. She needs to keep it in just her name. Worryingly though, once they marry, the rules will change and if they split then he would be able to claim half the flat even if it is in her name. I wonder whose idea it was to suddenly get engaged? I do hope he's not playing the long game to take advantage of Sandra having money and that's why he is keeping her happy for now. I still wonder what he was arrested for and if it involved dishonesty or violence would be really worried.

Off to bed now, I didn't realise the time and need to sort the veg for OH to do in the morning for lunch. He's hinted at roast potatoes so I'd better see what potatoes we have.

Hav'nt read Vera's post yet but just wanted to say what a wonderful peaceful scene your latest picture is. The water is just rightand the trees are marvelous. You feel you could touch them and feel the bark.

Not been in long I have just about finished my pots. Just all the empty pots and tray to wash now and they are all piled up on the patio outside the back door.

Gill You must tell Sandra not to put the flat in a joint name. She MUST keep it in her name ONLY. If they shoudl break up he can claim half if its not in just her name. I hope he is true to her and not just stringing her along as she is so easily lead.

Better get the burger on now and then I can read Vera's post.

Anng so you are now all light headed and I bet it feels great.

I bet you feel better for that haircut AnnG. I know how pleased I was to get mine done last week. I didn’t make my next appointment as I got her to leave it a bit longer than usual and wanted to see how it goes. I think I will have to go back after 4 weeks, so I might get it cut shorter again. My hairdresser is one of the most expensive round here so I don’t want to go more frequently than my usual 5-6 weeks.

I love freesias too Ann and bought myself a small bunch recently. They were a lovely golden yellow colour and were in bud when I got them but they opened up beautifully and lasted a couple of weeks, but I was disappointed that they only seemed to have a very slight perfume. I wonder if, like sweet peas, they have had the perfume bred out of them in an effort to get bigger blooms or brighter colours. My freesias disappointed but the latest picture you emailed certainly doesn’t. It looks a lovely spot and you have really captured the tranquillity. As to my sewing, I never considered that as something I was any good at because I never enjoyed it much or did it from choice. I started out of necessity when I had a small daughter and not much spare cash. A remnant from the market didn’t cost much and would make her a little summer frock. The last thing I actually made was about 20 years ago when I picked up some Laura Ashley material for £5. It was a very fine needlecord, dark green background and a floral design. It made me a nice skirt and there was enough left to make a little skirt and matching waistcoat for my granddaughter who was 3. My son had just had his first daughter and the little outfit got passed on to her a couple of years later and in turn to the 2 younger sisters that followed her.

Unfortunately, Gill, if there was nothing in writing about the furniture for Sandra, there won’t be a lot she can do but by now her solicitor should have the form where the vendor lists what is being left and I think that is legally binding. Sandra should see a copy of that. Having said that, our vendor took a wall heater that he was supposed to be leaving but I think we could have insisted on getting it back or the cost of replacing it. We didn’t do that as we thought it wasn’t worth the hassle. If the vendor’s side is delaying things I hope Sandra’s solicitor is putting pressure on them. Sometimes a threat to pull out of the sale works wonders. I congratulate Sandra on her engagement and wish her well but I do hope her boyfriend is serious about marriage and isn’t treating her like his own personal bank. Hopefully he is paying his way.

I hope you are not too bruised and battered today Frank. Take care and give yourself time to recover so that you are fit for your trip to Devon.

I am typing this while cooking our dinner. We’re having the meat pies and veg that we didn’t eat yesterday. I’ve made a banana loaf this afternoon so that can be our cake for the next couple of days. I’ve never had a lot of joy with flapjacks either Mandy.

We’ve just had a really heavy downpour but it didn’t last long. The garden could do with the rain but we need a lot more. Better go and put the broccoli in the steamer now as the pies are nearly ready. Enjoy your evening everyone and sleep well tonight.

Gill that must have been a surprise to hear Sandra had got engaged ,how things have changed for her over the last year, I hope she will be happy .
When the skip comes just make sure you can add things to it as some skips are for certain things only ,if its a mixed skip they charge extra as it then has to be sorted .

Oh Ann another little beauty of a painting with those trees I love that you do so well.
I think about Jane too and sometimes the start of the thread comes up and there are her posts so she's still with us
Yes Chelsea will benefit from wearing the brace she has two teeth that are crossing ,they did think about taking one tooth out at one time but they decided she could have a brace but not until she was older .

It's been dry this afternoon and I could have hung some washing out but I was stitching and forgot all about it in the linen basket ,I also made some flapjacks but they were a disaster, I never have much luck making them they always fall apart taking them out of the tin and I've tried so many different recipes too.

I think the stump removal fella would take the rubbish away Ann, but I'll ask him when it's his turn to do the job lol :-D :-D Love the latest picture, you are so talented I envy you.

Sorry to hear you've had an operation AnnG and wish you a speedy recovery. It'll feel more comfortable once the stitches are taken out, at least you don't have to much longer to wait.

OH did a bit more chopping of the branches off the large plant earlier then came in had a shower and went to sleep for a couple of hours ready for his first night shift tonight. I watched The Greatest Showman I recorded a couple of weeks ago, what a brilliant film, I've kept it on my planner to watch again, which defeats the object of clearing the planner but it's to good to delete.

Going to watch the news now before the F1 comes on, I'm recording it for OH as he'll miss the end with going to work.

Feel quite light headed now but it was cold on the ears walking back. does feel more like me now.
Managed to pick up my prescription after the hair dressers so that was good. Another job done.

Love that scene Anne, makes me want to walk there.

Gill you are getting on well with the garden. How long had it been empty when you bought it or had the previous owner just lived with a jungle?
I hope all goes well for Sandra with this fellow, do you know at all what he was in prison for. I hope Sandra is not paying for everything. Do you know if her social worker has an opinion of him? Not that there is anything you can do I know, worrying though.

Mandy yes it does make you feel better having it cut, she cut loads off. Next one in five weeks.

Ann I think tiredness was one of the reactions to both vaccinations.

Gill, the dressing is on a minor op I had on my upper back nearly 2 weeks ago, stitches due to come out on Tuesday.