General Chat

Vera you could have the question of how many hearts does a worm have?

I had a Red Admiral in the chicken run this morning on the table I have in there. I must admit its the first one I have seen though this year. We do have heaps of nettles in the garden. Loads up the side of the orchard.

If I start writing a load of gobbledygook it’ll be because I’ve had hardly any sleep at all for the last two nights. Right now it feels as if someone is sticking needles in my eyes while tightening a steel band round my head. Hey ho, it can only get better. Who am I kidding?

Thank you all for the various emailed pictures and also on AnnG’s blog. I enjoy looking at them all. We’ve been getting peacock butterflies and cabbage whites and the occasional tortoiseshell but I haven’t seen any Red Admirals either. I think they have good years and bad years so perhaps this is a bad year for them. I think they lay their eggs on nettles and, of course, we all keep our gardens nettle free and verges get cut so their habitat is gradually being destroyed.

I googled that penstemon Mel. It’s very dark but lovely. You seem to have had a bit of a run around with your scripts again. I think I’ve been lucky with mine. At our last house I used to pick them up at the little village surgery which was an offshoot of the main surgery in town and never had problems. When we moved here I opted to get them from Boots and had endless difficulties with them so I moved to Lloyds and everything has worked perfectly. I go in once every four weeks, pick up my meds and tell them what I want next month and they handle it all.

Gosh Frank, Ros must have felt so frustrated with her hairdresser. I bet she was fed up and angry. Would it be worth her ringing round to see if she can get an appointment elsewhere? Of course, if she likes the way her hairdresser does her hair she might not really want to change and I can understand that. I keep threatening to go elsewhere myself as my hairdresser keeps putting her charges up without any advance warning and is now one of the more expensive ones in town but she makes a good job of cutting my hair so I keep going back to her.

That Terry Miles seems a bit of a character Ann. He made me smile though I think I could only take him in small doses. How nice to have something played especially for you. By the way, I love your mouse and think wire specs would be perfect for him.

I hope you are feeling much better now Jane. Rest and relax as much as you can.

OH picked a load more blueberries today. My 2 bushes have done really well this year. I think we will get one more picking off them. I’ve frozen a lot of them as we can’t eat them quickly enough. I’m having some with my breakfast every day and OH grabs a handful every so often but I still have quite a few in the fridge as well as the ones in the freezer. Talking of breakfasts, someone gave me a pack of Tesco “Blueberry Wheats” cereal. Not being one to waste food, particularly if it’s free, I have been eating them up. All I can say is that it’s like chewing sweet shredded cardboard!

We had our family Zoom quiz as usual on Sunday. I keep thinking we will be dropping it soon as people are going out more and getting back to work. Our numbers have gone down a bit. Two of our granddaughters were missing this week because they both had to work, but those remaining want to carry on. OH and I have said we will set the quiz for this coming Sunday but it will be a straight question and answer quiz as I can’t cope with complex technology. My daughter did last Sunday’s and we had pictures to identify flashing up on the screen and bits of music being played to us – far too complex for me to sort on my iPad and OH hasn’t set Zoom up on his laptop. We’ll have to try and come up with something interesting for them.

I hope we all have a good night tonight. Sleep well, sweet dreams everyone.

Evening all,

Well that's another shopping day done and all wiped ,i seemed to want a lot of extra bits this week and now i'm worn out .

AnnG more lovely photo's by email and on your blog ,pretty butterflies ,we had one of the tiny blue ones in the garden the other day but it as darting about so quickly it was hard to see it properly ,lots of cabbage whites about ,they can keep their eyes off my cabbages :-D

Mel the fox looks quite at home in your garden doesn't he ,the school children have been busy decorating the fences i like the spiders .

Ann Tickettyboo :-D that was nice to get a mention and he played quite a bit didn't he ,i kept looking at the statue to the side of him when i first saw it i thought it was some one sitting there with a baby :-D
Sounds as if you had a lovely day with some nice food ,i hope the waiter got a tip
:-D
Tomorrow Colin is going to start a wooden flower planter for son and DIL they want one to stand under their front window ,there's plenty of wood left over from the wood Colin got for the troughs ,he finished the second one so we planted that one up yesterday .

Gill did you see on the news ,COMET NEOWISE is a surefire candidate for the best astronomical spectacle of the year ,i think they said you can see it until the end of the month .

Frank poor Ros i bet she was not very pleased to go to the hairdressers and then find out she wasn't booked in ,that was very bad of the hairdresser especially after ringing to book her in ,i should think she should get some money off when she goes.

Nice pics AnnG. Well it has rained just as I was getting out of the carat Black Torrinton and then I went to Shebbear and it poured!! Was naughty and bought myself a penstemon called Blackbird now I have to find a suitable place for it in the border.

A few photos from todays walk on the blog.

Afternoon All,

I had a good night once I nodded off about 2.00am. I was woken at 8.30am by rattling in the gutters outside and thought it was the Magpies. OH looked outside and said a flock of young Starlings were on the front garden. He was right and they were into everything looking for food and squabbling with each other.

I thought I had a clear day to get on today, but OH's first meeting was abandoned because of the internet system they use breaking down (not zoom). I had already had to fetch the washing in because it had started to rain while he was on line, then he wanted poached eggs on toast so I haven't got started yet really! Next job is to come up with something for the mixed media art thingy tomorrow.

Surely Ros must have been given a colour patch test to use by her hairdresser Frank so how come she didn't know Ros was coming. I thought they were obligatory to do before having colour on your hair these days because of allergies. Mine sent me a test patch by post a few weeks ago. You'd think they could have fitted her in being a regular customer too. My hairdresser has extended their hours and is opening on Sundays too to fit everyone in. Could she try somewhere else? It sounds like Barry has plenty of work which is good. Have you started picking your runners yet.

That's a good idea with your runners Mel. How wide is your barrel that they are in? I like the idea of growing even more things in tubs etc like you and FG, especially now we have dismantled the raised beds.

Glad you had a nice walk AnnG. I do miss our walks we used to have, I used to do at least a 3 mile circuit around the village up to 5 times a week when I first retired. You do feel better for it too.

O I will Ann. We had a short sharp shower just as I was at the bantams pen but it only lasted about 20 seconds but they were quite big drops. Not enough to wet the ground.
Glad you enjoyed your walk it makes a difference to get out for a while and take in some fresh air.

Rang the shop to see if our scripts were there and got told off by Keith. He had told me not to ring about scripts as he was too busy. I rang the surgery as Keith said mine were there but not oh's so I have to go to the shop for mine and Black Torrington to the surgery for his as they were left behind in the basket apparently so an eight mile trip all round. I think I may just go to the surgery in future not sure as if I go to the shop every Saturday it would be better. I would leave it till tomorrow but oh is out of most of his pills.

Good afternoon. We are just back from an almost 2 mile walk along the side of the 9 hole golf course and back. We know there is a Kingfisher pair in the stream that runs by the path but they are very elusive and we didn't see them Still I am sure the walk will have done us good with all the fresh air. Pity it is not a peaceful walk as it is under the flight path of Gloucester airport where there is a helicopter training school.

Frank how annoying for Ros. I would be thinking about finding another hairdresser if she is as disorganised as that. Really bad customer relations.

Mel that was a long sleep. you won't sleep tonight now.

Morning Frank and all,

What a disappointment for Ros not getting her hair done and after the hairdresser made the appointment. Something wrong there if you ask me. So now does she have to wait until the 29th?

Cloudy here this morning but dry then again oh said it is going to rain this afternoon.

I went to bed early for me at 1.10am and fell asleep right away, woke at 7.26am and went back to bed and slept on and off till 1015am. Must have needed it after being up the border yesterday.

FIRST ON, Good morning dear folks,

I just don't know whats happened to my sleep patten. I was in bed by 10.00 pm last night and still awake, and really AWAKE at 4.30 am. I did manage a couple of hours, but feel as though I have been dragged through a hedge backwards. (Where did that saying come from) ??

Ros was lucky to get a hair appointment for 10.00 am this morning.So she's there now. After our two attempts to do her roots, and them turning GINGER. She will be glad to have her hair right again.

We had an excellent lunch yesterday. Chicken liver pate to start, followed by a full Roast BEEF Dinner. which was far to much for both of us. We couldn't manage a sweet, and Ros only wanted to get home afterwards, so no ride round the villages.

She went in the bedroom and changed, and was down the garden again, clearing the weeds from the borders, and doing the lawn edges. (BARRY didn't do them) ran over his hour. We would have pad the extra, but he had others to do.

Ros has just walked in, the hairdresser hadn't booked her in, even though she rang Ros with the appointment. She is now fully booked until the 29th July. but has promised to ring if she gets a cancellation. I think I would have blown my TOP. as it was her who made the appointment.

Well I had better go and get Ros a coffee, and calm her down. !!!! xxx

Ann it was only today that the Peacocks suddenly appeared it was a surprised to see them but lovely too it was as if they were really pleased to be out in the sun as they flew fast all over the garden. I also identifies a little brown butterfly in the garden as a Gatekeeper. And while sitting down the garden with a cup of tea there was a very small blue butterfly which we have
Be seen quite a lot previous years. So a good day for butterflies but where have the Red Admirals disappeared to now?

Sounds a goo d idea Ann. Nice flowers too in the spring. My one at the end of the border has been taken over by a cleatis and brimbles. I was cutting some of the dead out when oh drove down and gave me a ride back on the trailer to save me walking down. Onl;y brought the hand tools down with me and left the barrow and forks up there and my kneeler stool thing.

Just seen a fox in the orchard.

My runner beans are in a half plastic juice barrel with sheep netting to climb up. Flowering well and I amy have seen a very short bean yesterday. I wind them around the wire so as I can pick them easily.

He is Mel and I didn't think he would play that much so it was nice.. Poor old Kitsy the cat who is about 16 was a stray and has been poorly with a urine infection, but is doing well on salmon and tuna now and won't touch cat food.

You got a lot done on the border today and it is a shame about the old plum tree. I have a rather plain Acer that needs to come out in the next year or two as the trunk is really getting thick and is near an electric box and it puts on a lot of growth now. The Acer isn't very attractive either and is quite drab but I must think of what to put in it's place, maybe another Camellia as they are evergreen and easy to manage with pruning.

He's a right character Ann. He played a lot for you did'nt he.

Not been down here long and I did get up the border but the chickens suffered as I did'nt clean them out. I need the shavings and it was a bit awkward with oh doing the roof on the workshop. Its dos'nt look any different to me and I still think there is'nt enough drop on it.

I cut the New Dawn rose right back. Its supposed to be resistant to black spot but it was covered so its right back to the wall now but it does look bare up there now. I have dug a lot and got out creeping grass from my London Pride and its looking like a border now and not a weed patch, well one part is anyway. I think I may lose the old plum tree on the wall up there as its not looking very happy this year at all. It must have been up there 70 odd years or more. It was a cordon but was never looked after properly and is gradulary dying back from the top plus some big insects have eaten out of it and left big grooves in the dead trunk.

Next job is to dig up the bearded iris and get rid of the old dead stuff and plant them further back as one is creeping onto the lawn.

We haven't seen any Peacock butterflies or Red Admirals this year AnnG.

Yes OH says he really enjoyed today as well Gill.

I tune in to Terry Miles Livestream on Youtube. He was playing every day since the lockdown till about a fortnight ago and now does a Sunday Service music and wednesday and friday. Anyway I asked him to play something and said it was my birthday today. This is the link if you want to hear. I am Ann Tickettyboo on there so that is what you will hear. It starts 6.32 minutes in if you want to miss the start..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEFSe3xEMfk

So glad you had a nice birthday Ann , you've certainly had a lovely sunny one!
Apart from cooking lunch, we've had a very lazy day reading and sunbathing! Tomorrow Mr Fg will do some early shopping and I must do some h.work. We have high ceilings and its easy to ignore cobwebs! tomorrow they will be tackled!
I think I should really call the R.bean pots, tubs! We have three big wooden caskets which we use, making an individual wigwam for each tub for the beans to climb! It works well.
Must take Abby, then a light supper, maybe a bit of tv or maybe not! We don't watch it that much particularly in the summer.

It sounds like you've had a lovely birthday Ann and just the right weather.

That's a lot of grass in the background of your pics Mel. Is that the new house for your girls your OH made?

Love the pic of the butterflies AnnG, what lovely colours.

F1 race has just started so I'm going to watch it now.

We went for a short walk around the estate and through the park and back, almost two miles, there was one family with young children playing cricket, three teenage girls In a group (not socially distant but maybe they were sisters, who knows. We also pased three couples going in the opposite dorestion but not near us and that is all. Not even many cars out. When we came back we sat in the garden with an icecream and oh then came in to continue fiddling with the CCTV (it is never ending). And I went down the garden for a read in the shaded blue arbour. Still lots of Peacock butterflies around, also a small brown one which is a Gatekeeper and a tiny blue one. Also saw a lot of flying ants getting ready for their journey. When I looked again they had gone.

Afternoon Everyone,

What a lovely day too! Thank you all very much for your birthday wishes and for such lovely cards. I keep going and looking at them again. AnnG you certainly have a talent for cardmaking. That is very clever how you made that one stand up. I love it!

OH did our F&C lunch I asked for courtesy of Asda and had to ask a few questions as I knew he would, but I was very patient when he nearly broke a plate and I think he was quite chuffed and he served it up too which was nice. I had a nice glass of non alcoholic Schloer and then we had a meringue roulade with lemon and cream in it which was nice. I had a few books from him, not surprising, including 'Unnatural Causes' by a top forensic psychologist which is right up my street! lol. He apparently found a jigsaw he bought me a few years ago and had forgotten about when sorting through his wardrobe, so I had that as well. It is 1000 piece one and strangely made of foam and locks together that well you can pick it up and carry it around, even if it is only partly done. He will be getting me a new mobile phone once things are more 'normal'

Frank I hope you got to have a ride round the villages. It's what we have always done and is very enjoyable and it is surprising what nice places and gardens there are to see.

It's a nice day for work on your borders Mel. As you say that needs to be the priority when it's fine and you can always do some craft when it isn't. It will be interesting to see how your iris seeds turn out with the colours. OH would love your BLT sarnies!

Mandy OH and I think it is a cracking idea to give the mouse some specs, so I might try that as I have some wire I could use. How nice to sit outside with the family on such a nice day and then have a read of a book. Does Max get excited when they come? I bet he has missed playing with the children.

A neighbour round the front told him this morning that someone who lives a few miles away went to clean up his caravan at Hunstanton, ready for letting and, as they knew he was from the Leicester area, they reported him to the police not realising most of the county isn't under lockdown! He must have wondered what was the matter when the police turned up!

FG I have never thought of growing runners in pots, but I think one of my friends does that too. It is true you don't need much space to grow at least something and toms in baskets are a good idea and look nice too.

Well done getting your drawer fronts finished Gill. I bet they all look good now they are done. I keep forgetting about the planets!!

The Buzzards are enjoying the thermals in the back field and we have a hen blackbird finding no end of crawlies at the edges of the waterfall. She must be feeding young as she keeps coming back.

<3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN <3 <3 <3
Have a nice day and enjoy your cake. Love the picture of the felt mouse you made, you're very clever.

Did anyone see Mars and Venus this morning, I noticed it just as dawn was breaking, for once there were no clouds around.

We've finally finished the kitchen draw fronts, it only took us three and half years LOL.

Just watching the F1 Qualifying I recorded last night, ready for the race, later.