General Chat

Oh my eyes! Mandy I read 'painted the cabbages' LOL. Did you raise them from seed or buy plants? I have an empty space (dwarf beans failed) so was wondering what I could put in for late autumn/winter harvesting.

I get away lightly with the RA compared to many. My medication was changed just after lockdown, so, expecting the new script with the next repeat I stopped taking the first. Boy did I pay for that! I've never hurt for so long, not even before diagnosis.

Mel, we tend to use what ever compost we can get. Tried 'Jacks Magic' a few years ago as everyone on the FB group was raving about it. Wouldn't use it again as it doesn't hold any water. Love goats though but not the smell of the Billy :-0

Evening All
Welcome Island and Flappergirl :-) I met Island at a couple of London Meets some years ago now :-)
Just before I go to bed I thought I had better let you know about my day.It wasn’t a picnic as such though it was picnic food lunch.It was a day out on the Grand Union Canal .They hired a boat for the day! We all took turns at the helm although Gareth and James did most of the steering.What a fa fantastic day it has been and what a lovely surprise it was.I really had no idea.We moored up while we had our lunch.Hannah had even managed to put some bunting up before we got there.
I will send some pics either tonight or tomorrow.
Tomorrow Janice and Larry are coming up and H&G will be here too.So another full day.James is taking a half day so he can join us all for lunch and the afternoon.
I will have to leave them for a short while as I have to have my bloods done but that will take less than half an hour .
I think all that fresh air today has made us all so tired.Early night all round I think.
We were so lucky with the weather today as it was really quite sunny even if a bit on the windy side still.

I hope Frank and Ros has a good journey today and enjoy their few days away(without any mishaps!!! ). We all know what our dear Frank is like :-D

Mandy I didn't see you there as I didn't send my post for ages as OH keeps coming in and telling me how much his old records are worth! That's great your planter is done and planted. I think you will be able to use some lettuces first which will make room for the others to get bigger. My hair looks as if I've been sleeping in a hedge every morning now! I tried to find some hairgrips for when the delivery came to stop it falling in my eyes, but realised I had thrown them all away. I found an elasticated headband in the end and wore that which helped, even though it wasn't a good look!

The lady that does the felting said she was going away on the last video but I hadn't realised it was this week. I'm going to look at her old video tutorials when I can. They are on Youtube as well as FB. I know she has done another mouse one as well as a seahorse and octopus! I will send a pic when he's finished.

Evening All,

What a windy night and day! I lay in bed and have never heard the roof tiles clinking with the wind before. The poor Pansy pots were flattened but have picked up since they had a drink of water. It dries everything out this wind. Luckily my sticks I put round the courgettes stopped them being blown to bits as well.

Gill I shall have a look for those planets tonight if it isn't too cloudy. I have an astronomy book somewhere, just a basic one that tells you about the planets and where they are. I think it puts things and our lives in perspective when you realise how small and insignificant we are. I hope your fence post holds up but your neighbour is a bit naughty tying things to it without asking you first. At my old house we put up a really strong high fence at the bottom, with metal posts and struts concreted into the ground, as it backed onto football pitches. The neighbour one side had a ricketty, low fence and soon decided to lash his end post to our stronger one. He used to get people climbing over his lower fence to get balls that had gone over and we didn't want our fence being pulled down with his so I used to undo his ties till he got the message and stopped.

Oh Vera that must have been a bit of a shock to see how many were at the barbecue, but it turned out alright in the end. I had visions of you being like the lady played by Julie Walters in Stepping Out if you saw it, going around with a cloth in hand! We won't be visiting any eateries for some time yet either. I said to OH that it could be the death of the carveries we go out for mostly with having to have table service. I suspect they won't start those up again for ages if at all. :-( The only blueberry I ever tried to grow was in a big pot and it died.

It's a nuisance your ankle is playing up AnnG. If you keep doing a bit of walking it may be just what it needs as you say. I had drifted into not using my exercise bike with doing other things, but noticed I was getting stiffer so I did a little yesterday to get me started again. I did laugh at the thought of your OH with his 70s hairstyle! I told OH the other day that I was beginning to look like Shirley Temple with my hair.

Thank goodness all is wiped and put away. They were a quarter of an hour early so it was a good job OH had put the baskets outside in good time. It took us and hour and a quarter to wipe and put away and there were a few substitutions but nothing we couldn't eat. The best bit was sitting out after with a COT and egg custard!

RA is no fun Island and I have a friend who gets flare ups and her mother had it too. I hope the tablets help. Yes HW does get in the way of enjoying yourself!

Glad you feel better Frank and hope you have a more enjoyable trip than the last! It looks like the weather won't be too bad after all which means you can potter around.

Evening all,

It's been bright and breezy here all day the poor plants in the garden are taking a battering with the wind .

Veg trough all done ,i planted the cabbage plants and added some lettuce in between ,might have gone over board with the lettuce but there's so many little lettuce seeds come up i didn't want to waste them .

I wonder where Jane went to for the picnic ,hope she had a lovely time and we get to hear how it went .

Hope Frank and Ros had a safe journey to Devon ,that was good he felt better so was able to go , just hope the weather stays dry for them this next week ,he might get to have a stroll down to the beach .

AnnG what a devil the ankle and foot playing you up again ,it didn't like the walking out again after all the stopping in .
The Goosegogs and Rhubarb look good .

Island sorry to hear you've had a RA flare up and it's stopped you doing things ,i had to smile though at the "Room for a pony " :-D :-D

Gill it sounds as if the washing line next door put up might be helping to keep your fence up.
That was handy OH getting a free hair cut ,we have our hair cut this Wednesday and i can't wait i even tried to clip to slides in my hair today just to hold it back going out in the wind i end up looking like my mop head :-D :-D or like iv'e had an electric shock with it sticking out every where .

Mel i have no idea what the makers name of compost was ,we just had the one the garden centre had .

Ann i'd like to see the little mouse when it's done ,i never looked to see if the lady was doing any thing this week .

Vera sounds as if you enjoyed the BBQ shame it was so cloudy but at least it wasn't cold so you could all sit out .

Shopping day tomorrow and wiping down again ,ive lost count of the wipe down weeks now it's just become a routine thing .

Forgot to say I am pleased vera enjoyed the BBQ and did'nt have to go home early because of rain.

Island I have a couple of willow trees out the front but hav'nt looked after them for a few years now. I did make a few thing in the willow from them though.

Just out of interest I would like to know what compost you are all buying. I have bought Westaways but am finding it drys out so quickly and seems to be a lot of composted grass cutting but does have some Jon Innes in it too. I always add J I's to compost anyway to give it a bit more body but I have tried Waitrose and lLidl's and they are all different to what we used to get but I suppose we don't get the peat content now.

Island we have two stables but they are only full of junk. Also a small tin goat house. When I came down here I had two goats but mum would'nt let me bring them down so I had to give them away.

My rose on the box hedge is looking beautiful just now an dsmells wonderful. A proper rose smell unlike the other one down the garden which smells like Ponds Cold Cream.

Mel, I wasn't thinking in terms of not being up to housework, it's good art and crafting time going to waste :-D
Our garden would be decribed as 'manageable' I guess. I don't know the footage but only having a balcony previously it's large enough. Would be nice to have space for some chooks, a greenhouse and more raised beds though...... oh and a wildflower patch, somewhere to create willow sculptures, a grassy place to stroll.......
"Room for a pony" :-D

Yes, it's our fence AnnG, but it seems to be holding up for now. Hopefully it'll stay that way. OH thinks the weight on the other side might be actually helping it stay up as the wind is blowing from their side to ours. Let's hope he's right. We buy the screening from Home Bargains, it's to expensive elsewhere and with having such a large garden it would of cost us a lot more to do.

I think you might be able to see Jupiter and Saturn as soon as it's dark, my book said 11.30pm but I was looking at it long after that. Luckily the wind blew the clouds out of the way from time to time so I could see them. I love anything to do with Astrology, have done for years and the book is really good as it points out everything that's happening day by day with clear instructions on how to find things using the starts or moon for guidance.

Everyone is going to look lovely when you've all had your hair cuts. Mine is so long I don't bother having it cut as it's all one length and down to my waist. Mel's is even longer. ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Going to take another look at OH's tree now while he watches the F1 qualifying I recorded for him while he was on nights last night. I'll be recording the race to as he's on nights again tonight.

I managed half an hour of pottering in the garden before lunch (I should have said hobbling), My foot hurts where I ricked it a year ago when I turned it over when I fell. I have strapped it up now. Managed to repot a couple of the plants we bought, did some dead heading and picked some sweet peas to let more grow, I noticed we have a couple of cucumbers almost ready in the greenhouse and we shared the first small ripe tomato lunch time.

Island sorry you have a flare up, so frustrating not to be able to do what you want to do. I seem to have developed so many aches in all sorts of parts of my body in the past year, knee, arm and occasionally neck, thumbs and now ankle/foot. I know I will soon be 80 but it could have held out a bit longer for me before falling apart.

Mel, it wouldn't be nice doing the chickens in the wind, you could be tbreathing in the dust from the shavings as it blows around.

Vera glad the barbecue went off ok although they were a bit naughty having more people than they should. Actually I suspect it was not them but the parents and other adults who took advantage. Maybe they didn't inform her parents that they had invited you as well.
Glad you liked the cards and the garden photos. It is looking a bit windswept today though.
Our haircut is Wednesday, not a moment too soon, it is driving me up the wall and OH's has not been as long since the 70s.

Gill That was not good if your neighbours put something heavy on the fence post I am assuming it is your fence?
Hope it stays upright then.
The short walk doesn't seem to have helped at all but I have strapped it up now.
Glad you liked the garden photos
I don't thin I will be up at 11.30pm to see jupiter and saturn, probably won't even see the moon as it has been cloudy the past few nights
I think you would be safe enough at a garden centre, so far every one we have been to has been very good and people have been careful. It is the drinking that is causing the problems, awful photos of people in the mail on line. One young nicely dressed young girl lying face down in the gutter, how embarrassed her parents must be. And, of course it is the emergency services who have had to work hard looking after them all.

I missed your post Vera, I was busy with OH's tree, I seem to be on a run at the moment and didn't realise I hadn't been on here until today. Pleased your family BBQ went well and you didn't have to go in doors, the set up sounded just right for everyone to be a safe distance from each other. The wind is picking up here so I'm keeping an eye on our screening, if that blows down it'll take a long time to repair and we're not sure if we can buy the screening now with it being so late in the year, it's normally only available until the end of May. You won't know yourself tomorrow after your hair cut, it looks like the hairdressers have good measures in place to safeguard everyone, unlike the pubs, although they have tried so it's not their fault so many people aren't sticking to the rules. I just hope those people don't live to regret their behaviour, that's the problem with alcohol and social distancing, they really don't go together, do they?

Afternoon all

Quite windy here today, so I'm keeping an eye on my screening that's attached to the fence. Next door put a heavy metal clothes line onto the fence posts when they moved in last year and I think the weight of it has made the posts come loose, I really hope it doesn't fall down and break all my plants as it's very wobbly.

Safe Journey Frank, hope this wind dies down enough for you to get out and about a bit. Be careful outside though, I noticed on the news last night some people aren't social distancing. Have you taken some face coverings Ros made? Better to be safe than sorry.

AnnG, I hope your foot/ankle feels better soon. Maybe short walks will help, then build the walks up to longer ones until your muscles have built up again. I think everyone is in the same boat with not being able to go out far for months. I noticed some people walking around their gardens, one woman had worn her grass away with the amount of laps she'd done. I think she was raising money for Charity. Love all your photo's, such a pretty garden.

I'd like some seeds Mel, please, thank you. My garden's not as colourful as I'd of liked with not being able to go to the garden centre for so long and now after watching the news it's put me off going anywhere right now with all the crowds and hardly any social distancing.

Did you work out the sewing machine Vera, good idea to make a mask for the hairdressers, yes, you'd need one to go around your ears so the hairdresser can cut your hair. OH had his cut for nothing at work yesterday, they have a hairdresser who does the resident's hair so she does the staff's hair for free. How good was that and saves OH having to go to the barbers. I must admit it looks much better now. I tried my best to keep it short and tidy for him, but it's not a patch on a professional.

Have you managed to finish painting the troughs ready for your veg tomorrow Mandy or has the weather not been kind enough? It's getting quite dark here ow after a bit of sunshine, so I'm expecting rain soon.

For anyone who's interested, Jupiter and Saturn can be seen close to the full moon tonight. They were visible from last night, until tomorrow night. I spotted both Jupiter and Saturn when I looked last night. They look like bright stars Jupiter being the brightest with Saturn to the left. Tonight Jupiter will be above the moon around 11.30pm with Saturn to the left of Jupiter.

Good afternoon all

Sunny and reasonably warm here today, but it is very windy. I hope the weather is good for Jane’s birthday picnic and she has a lovely time.

I’m glad you are feeling better today Frank and I hope you enjoy your lunch out. I am starting to do a little bit more but I don’t think I’m ready to face a pub or restaurant yet, though I am sure they will take every care. Your horse video was lovely. I know animals are used as therapy but they are not usually as big as a horse! We used to have an alpaca farm near here and they would take a couple of alpacas into the local care homes. Have a good trip to Devon - but be careful, we don’t want any other sort of trip, lol.

Mel, we have had good pickings of blueberries. OH picked the third bowlful this morning, 400g, and the other two were similar amounts. I’ve frozen today’s pickings. They make nice blueberry muffins later in the year. I had 3 bushes that we bought with us in big pots when we moved to this house but one died the first year here so we only have two now. Mine are also supposed to fruit at different times but they don’t.

I did Middlemarch for A Level English as well, Flappergirl. I also read a lot and you’ve got me thinking I ought to read it again. I enjoyed it at school but can’t remember much about it now.

I managed yesterday to get a look at the latest photos on your blog AnnG. You’ve done some pretty cards and the garden is looking lovely. I hope your ankle isn’t too sore and improves quickly.

No Gill yesterday. I hope she is OK. Perhaps she is just busy in the house or garden.

Well, the BBQ at grandson’s yesterday went well though there were more people there than they should really have had. I think they had invited his partner’s parents but they brought grandparents with them and then someone else had turned up. It was fine in the garden but if it had poured we would have come home rather than go indoors. Garden isn’t huge but it is nearly all grass or paving so they could spread chairs etc over the whole area and we could stay distanced in our family groups. They had also put up a couple of huge parasols and some other shelter. In fact there were only a couple of spots of rain. The skies were very grey but it was warm and their garden is sheltered so hardly any wind and we could all stay outside.

Island, I do feel for you. RA is a beast. It’s rampant in my mum’s side of the family but, thankfully, I seem to take after my dad’s side. I hope the codeine helps you through it even if it does fog the brain a bit.

Yay, it’s haircut day tomorrow. I can’t wait.

Our dinner must be nearly ready, pot roasted beef today, so I must get the veg on. Enjoy whatever you are doing for the rest of the day.

Island I hate it when I have to stop doing things when not feeling good. I keep thinking I should be doing hoovering or washing or some kind of housework.

I need to clean the chickens out but with this blasted wind the shaving blow in my face and all over the garden.

Do you have a large garden Island? We have about 4 and a half acres most to grass but a very long border in the second walled garden.

My strawberries are just sending out runners but I have been cutting them off hoping the plants will flower again. I saw on the telly on Countryfile I think where they had grwoer who do this to prolong the picking season. I think I really need to sort out some old plants and set some new ones for next year.

Afternoon All
Today I planned to tidy the strawberry bed and pot some runners but is way too blowy. The weather just can seem to get it right. I spotted the dreaded black beasties on one of the runner beans yesterday so the soapy water sprayer has been loaded – ants put them there I believe so how do I deter ants?

David, do the squares disappear when you move your cursor? I can only think they are the ‘tagging’ pointers and shouldn’t be there permanently.

Did someone mention tiny runner beans appearing? Exciting eh? I was beside myself when I spotted weeny tomatoes not much bigger than a glass head on a pin. Little things, big joy.

Ann, I’m suffering with the ‘use it or lose it’ syndrome too. Plans to walk several laps of the garden were curtailed by a 2 week RA flare which kept me sofa bound. Then there’s the spiteful weather to blame..... It’s all to easy to get out of shape and harder to get back! I hope your ankle is better soon.

Frank, can I have some of what you’re on? You sound full of beans

I’m having an ‘off’ afternoon so far, codeine slowy turning me into fuzz as I sink into the sofa. Hate it, it’s such a waste of play time.

I may at least have foiled any connection drop outs by typing this onto a word doc so there’s no danger of it being eaten this time.

Safe journey Frank and I hope you enjoy your meal.

We've just had a shower but the suns still out and the sky is still blue with lots of white cloud.

Good morning to you all,

I am much better today, if fact TOP OF MY GAME. Yesterday I had my hair cut. It's very short. Ros doesn't like it,but i just fancied a shorter cut this time. I doubt I will need another haircut until CHRISTMAS.

I have showered and shaved after, watering the Greenhouse, Veg patch and all the pots, and front garden. Ros has been to Tesco's for a few toiletry's that we needed. She has now popped over the road to Pat and Johns, Pat collapsed over her dinner during the week, and John called an Ambulance. They took her to hospital, ran some checks, then allowed her home. So Ros just wants to see how she is.

We are expecting Jo around 12.30. By the time we pack her car, it will be time to go to the TOBY for lunch. I know you will not be allowed to queue to get your meals, so I expect it will be waitress service. (that will be the first at TOBY) With a bit of luck we should be down at Jan's by around 6.00pm.

Wind and blue sky's here at the moment. I asked ALEXA what the forecast was for Devon, and it's going to be mainly cloudy with Temps. around 17 degrees. So providing the rain holds off, it won't be too bad.

I have let Pam and Denis know, we are going away, also Tony and Val. So they will keep an eye on the place. As our car will be on the drive, anyone passing will think we are at home. You can't be to careful, can you. ??

Well folks, it's time I got myself sorted out. Take care, and I do hope everything goes well for Jane this week. Sending love. xxx

Just back from walking to the post box via the free book stall just over half a mile. I have trouble with my foot/ankle today, not enough exercising it I think it seems to be hurting where I hurt it when I fell last year.

Morning Anng and all,

We have sunshine and wind here too this morning. There's quite a bit of blue sky with white clouds.

Just going to get something to eat so I can take my pill.