General Chat

I haven't either Mel, I know what you mean. good luck with the jab. Sun is shining here and it is one degree, don't think there was a frost. covered the plants in the unheated greenhouse with fleece last night just in case. Up early for charles to do the conservatory.

Up early in the morning to get ready for my jab so see you all tomorrow.

Hope you all sleep well and Anng's back dos'nt hurt too much tonight.

Sending love to Island and hoping she will pop in soon to let us know how she's getting on with her back injury. <3

Iv'e done no gardening today! Feel like its a day wasted. :-(

I am still feeling sore Vera but I didn’t pull my stitches. The plants I moved to the greenhouse are all in small pots and I moved them two at a time so no strain similar with the ones moved indoors.

I will have to see what happens when this first dressing comes off, if it was not under clothing it could possibly be left uncovered..

Pleased you had a good day. Good to have a chat.

Poor Ros that must be so sore she must be having to eat soup because her tongue will stop Her chewing and nothing strong flavoured.
Pleased you heard. From Frank Mel

Thanks for letting us know about Frank, Mel. Poor Ros, she must feel so uncomfortable and down in the dumps. I hope Frank starts to feel better soon but, as Ann said, those sorts of injuries can take a long while to heal. Now we need to hear from Gill again to tell us how her OH is getting on and I hope Island is not suffering too much pain at the moment.

I hope you are feeling a bit better yourself Mel. Lack of food can make you a bit light headed and woozy so I hope that was all that was wrong. Don’t overdo it with your poorly back and hip. Good job you didn’t have to try and pull OH out of the pond – that wouldn’t have done you any good at all. It’s lovely that you have some baby fish. I liked your photos too. The trees looked really golden in the sunlight and contrasted brilliantly with the dark sky behind. Robbie looks a cheeky chappie too.

I hope you managed to move all your plants without pulling on your stitches AnnG and you aren’t feeling too sore now. I would have thought your practice nurse could have changed the dressing for you. Even if you can use a couple of mirrors to see the place it’s not so easy to reach parts of your back yourself. If you do have a go make sure you don’t end up straining a shoulder or arm.

The plants you bought sound good Ann. I bought some of the million bells to put in some troughs a couple of years ago and was really pleased with them. They spread very quickly to fill the troughs and kept blooming for months, so last year I bought some more. What a difference! They didn’t die but didn’t do anything else either. They just sat there with a few flowers all summer but didn’t seem to grow and spread at all. My favourites are the yellows and oranges. You have no sign of your cues and courgettes and I have no sign of my rocket. Frustrating isn’t it? You must also be feeling very frustrated trying to organize your banking. Why is everything so difficult these days?

I have had a lovely day and feel quite perky. It was great to get my hair cut and I persuaded the hairdresser to leave it a bit longer than usual. At least the top and back are a bit longer but the sides are fairly short as they stick out like wings if they are any length. She then just ruffled it with her hands while waving a hairdryer at it and it really looks good. What it will be like after I’ve slept on it for a night is another matter.

When I got back I saw several blue tits flitting around some shrubs and a goldfinch drinking from the bird bath and I could hear a bird singing his heart out in next door’s tree that overhangs our fence. I am pretty sure it was the robin so I was pleased that the birds seem to be around again.

Then this afternoon I went to my friend’s house. It was lovely and sunny but there was a cold wind. However I had slipped a vest under my top before I went out to keep my back warm and had a scarf round my neck and I was fine. There were 5 of us and we had scones with cream and jam and a few strawberries bought in the market today and some little cakes. It was just so good to sit in a little group and chat. It just seemed so normal for once.

I didn’t get back till nearly 6 pm. Tesco had been. There was a load of stuff piled on the work surface but I knew I had a big order and there didn’t look to be enough. That’s because OH had decided to help by putting all the stuff he thought should go in the fridge away for me, and it had all gone in without being wiped down of course. I had been wondering if I needed to carry on being quite so careful so I decided to take a chance and not get everything out of the fridge again to wipe down. I did still do all the stuff that was on the work surface and used a disinfectant spray on the kitchen table and all the surfaces. Nothing missing and no subs, so that was pleasing.

I see I have rattled on again as usual so I’ll finish by wishing you all a very good night.

PS Yes, Mel, our neighbour did come on Monday as usual and this week he brought us chocolate cup cakes.

Thanks for letting us know about Frank Mel. Poor Ros, her tongue must be so painful and it must be hard to eat too. I hope they can get some results and treatment for her soon. I hope Frank 's back eases up soon with the warm weather. These breaks take a long time to heal as I remember with FIL. Best wishes to them both.

Two little fish Mel, are they this year's babies? If so, I wonder how many more there are. I can just imagine you trying to fish S out of the pond. The fish would be in shock too. Your sheds are all going to look smart in that colour.

How nice watching the baby birds practice their flying AnnG. Their landing is a bit hit and miss when they are learning too. It must be wonderful to be able to fly around though.

Heard from Frank.

Hi my love,

Thanks for your concern about Ros. She has been to the Hospital and they have taken a piece off the bad side. It's not CANCER. so that's a blessing. I am not sure when she has to go back, but will let you know. They haven't given her anything to put on it, so let it heal on it's own.

My back has been a real Bart@@@@. Not able to do much without being in pain.

Sorry I haven't been around, so give my love to all please.

Arn't the baby birds funny when they can't quite fly properly. :-D

I have seen two baby pink fish in my pond this afternoon. Oh is painting his filter shed so I wanted to be out there inccase he fell in the pond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has only got a ledge about 14 inches wide to stand on but he did put a big plank across the corner. His trainers are size 12 so you can imagine what I was thinking. I was waiting for a huge splash but it did'nt happen and he got half the shed painted. I don't think he is going to do the window frame cream though as he said it would be much easier to do it all in the wild thyme green.

Ann that was what I had a double pale yellow one that the greenfly destroyed the other was the single magenta.

The prices have gone up down the shop too so they must have gone up to Muriel. Did I say I bought a pot of pale blue wood anemones last week. They are so dainty.

Ann I keep meaning to take a look and see what the wild garlic is doing. Every t ime I drive up there I forget.

Yes prices have increased considerably I assume to make up some of that they have lost. I love all the new colours, last year we actually had one in our wall garden over wintered from the previous year.

I have suddenly got several young sparrows practising their flying around the patio and pond.

That was a shame they had greenfly Mel. Yes, I remember them being called Million Bells too. One of the local garden centres plants 3 colours in one pot and lets them mingle and they look very colourful like that. I don't think I had seen the double ones before this year and I bought another one that has some streaks on the flowers. I have planted the 2 front wall pots now and even doing that I need a sit down now! lol. I noticed I have also bought 2 thyme plants as well, one with green and yellow leaves. I don't often buy compost, but got a small bag as I like to put it in the wall pots as it holds the water well and I top it with bits of slate and that helps too. One thing we did notice yesterday was the increase in prices.

Now I need to finish some homework.

When I had the nursary we only called them Million Bells and there were only about three colours then the majenta, a mauvey veined one and a White one I think. They do have them down the shop sometimes if Muriel gets hold of any. She's the lady who took over supplying the plants to the shop in 1997. Trouble is they always seem to have greenfly from her. The last Million Bells I had did'nt last long because of greenfly.

Oh, the 2 of you being jabbed tomorrow then Mel! His is in the afternoon and I hope he will be quick like me as I want to go for the ride but need to be back to start the zoom with my friends. Glad you are feeling a bit better, it was perhaps low blood sugar as OH can be affected with a bit of shakiness if he doesn't eat for a long time.

That's what they are called AnnG! It's a name I can never remember. I think I prefer them to Petunias for some situations where they might get blown about a little. Yes it was kind of normal, but we were having to do the distancing from staff as they didn't seem to bother and blocked our way without even noticing. Still, rates of Covid are dropping every day except for the north of our county and the risk with it now which is good.

I got nowhere with the new bank! I rang them this morning and eventually discovered I was put through to their call centre in Scotland! The lady I spoke to said to open a new account a signature on the terms and conditions and possibly my ID would be needed even though I'd had an account with them in the past which she agreed seemed wrong. She said she would put me through to their 'New Account Team' that had recently been set up for them to talk me through the switch process and could start it off for me. She put me through to wherever, there was a load of rustling and I was cut off!! I then thought I would ring the branch to see if they could start the process off instead so that I could then just go in with an appointment so I didn't need to stand and queue for the signature and ID. OH could drop me at the door. Well despite it saying their branch was open today on the website, a phone message said they were closed, so I drew a blank there as well!! Reading some of the blurb on the website, it said if you have an overdraft facility on your old account (which I have just in case) if you want one on your new account you need to visit the branch about that too. Also the 7 day switch guarantee is just to transfer monies and direct debits, standing orders to your new account. Presumably new cards arrive later and as I don't want them arriving while we are away, I've decided to do everything after then now. So I have returned surplus funds from my current account back to my saving account again for now. It means I will get charged the monthly fee that will start on my old account next month, but hopefully no more after that! Who would dream it would be such a palaver to change your bank account these days!!

Calabrochoa Ann, love them such lovely colours.

You had a lovely spend up then, bet that made you feel more back to normal.
Expecting a friend round shortly, the one that works in the hearing clinic. she will shorten my new aids tubes to fit for me.

haven't seen our window cleaner for ages wondering if he is still doing them.

did you have any luck with the bank?

Your hubby made me chuckle too Ann with that statement. My second jab is tomorrow too quite early inthe morning for me.

Feel a bit betternow I have had lunch and wondered if I was hungry as that can make me a bit dizzy sometimes.

Going to wash my hair this afternoon.

Afternoon All,

Another lovely sunny day!

I was looking again at Mel's vine weevils and thought they must be quite filling for baby birds! That sky on your photos is such a contrast with the sun on everything too. I hope your back and dizziness soon improve. I have sneezed a lot the last few days and had a bit of a headache. I did wonder if it is hayfever so have started taking the tablets. You have managed to do more than me today! I like Moonpig for cards too, they are always good quality with thick card.

I hope you can change your dressing AnnG. Maybe one of the nurses at your surgery would do it for you if not. I have moved my tomato plants back into the greenhouse from the conservatory as it is much warmer there in the mornings. I hope your new roof on the conservatory gets done quickly. At least it is a nice dry day for doing it. Ours is polycarbonate, but gets so hot even with roof blinds with facing west, but at least it is cosy in Spring and Autumn. Two of our neighbours with bungalows the same as ours have had theirs replaced with a kind of rubber with a ceiling and rooflight.

Oh Vera two treats today then! Enjoy your meet up and you will feel great after your hair cut, I know I did. Men don't seem to have much idea where the food goes do they. Mine will say there's no room in the freezers as well when there is plenty. I have a hankering for some cake now......do tell what kind you have.

There is no sign of my cues or courgettes yet Mandy, so I may have to buy the plants I think. I will have a poke around and see if they have rotted later! I wonder what sort of pattern the fat quarters in Aldi are like this time? I quite fancy getting my sewing machine out for a change to make something and I also want to shorten some jeans to just over the knee for when it gets hotter. Do you have an idea what you will make if you get some?

We were up early and at the garden centre in the village for 9.00am when the opened yesterday. I got some Violas, vareiegated Aubretia and Bidens for the front wall pots, a 4 dwarf Hebe offer (OH says now we get less cats in the garden they may leave them!), a selection of the Cala???? (small Petunias, some double), some different house leeks to those I have, and a dwarf pink. A few more Nasturtiums have poked through now. I need some Geraniums so we'll go again after the weekend.

Hubby made me chuckle this morning talking about his second jab he will have tomorrow. He said ' I bet there'd be a lot less take up with vaccinations if it had been by 'suppositry'! :-D He's been weeding the front this morning.

I'm still sorting my bank transfer!! :-S

Yes, I'm getting worried about Frank too and hope he and Ros are ok. There's no sign of him anywhere for a while now and he knows we worry.

I'm ringing the new bank next. :-0

Sounds like you should be resting not doing housework Mel. Have you had both jabs?

Still have this backache and not feeling right today. Also feeling a bit dizzy.

Have a lovely time this afternoon with your friends Vera and don't eat too much cake.
Has your neighbour brought you any more nice cakey things lately?

Mole Valley delivered and now I have plenty of compost to carry on but hav'nt the will to do it at the moment.

Just done a bit of ironing and dusted the bedroom and cleaned the loo earlier this morning.

Frank please pop in? <3

Lucky you with your hair cut Vera, Mine is awful and still over a week before it is cut.

I hope your OH remembers that it goes in the freezer and not the fridge!!

Have a nice catch up with your friends, too delights in one day you will be on cloud 9 this evening.

I have been gently and carefully mindful of my stitches, removing the small plants fro their place in the conservatory. Some down to the greenhouse, some in boxes which will go into the lounge this evening. Charles will be here at 9am to do the conservatory. He said to leave everything but I am not sure they would be careful of the plants.
It is 12 degrees here but as with Vera it doesn't feel it, there is a very cold breeze.
I did walk down to the post box and round the road back about three quarters of a mile. I didn't come back my normal was because as I walked down the last road to the main road post box a hearse plus one car came towards me into the cul de sac and there were people lined up outside houses opposite all dressed in black. I stopped as the hearse past me in respect but then walked on and realised if I went back that way I would be right in amongst the funeral procession.

Morning AnnG, Mel and all

I hope everyone’s OK this morning. Sunny at the moment and temperature is supposed to be 10 degrees but it doesn’t feel like it. I’ve just been outside and there is a real nip in the breeze.

Busy day today. I’m shortly going for a haircut :-D :-D and this afternoon I am going for tea and cake in a friend’s garden to celebrate the birthday of one of our group of women. This friend is having the group in two lots so we stick to the rule of no more than 6 outside. I hope it warms up a bit.

While I am gone Tesco are making a delivery but OH says his back is much better and he can manage to bring it in. I’ve told him to put the 3 frozen things in the freezer and leave everything else till I am back.

I hope Frank pops in today.

Have a good day whatever you are planning.

Back is still sore Mel, will be for a few more days until it gets over the trauma a bit.

Morning Anng and all,

Lovely morning here today with plenty of sunshine and blue sky.Says is 14 out there. Think I may move the thingy and see if it makees any difference and have a look in the car too.

Hope you get your plants moved safely. I shall be working on mine again today hoping to get tham finished and all put where they should be and wash out a coupl eof soak trays for them. Mole Valley are delivering today with my compost and seeds.

How is your back tis morning?