General Chat

It’s been a very grey day here. We’ve only had a couple of short showers but haven’t seen any of the yellow stuff so it hasn’t been very warm at all. Looking out of the window now the sky’s the lightest it’s been all day.

No, AnnG, I haven’t been busy gardening today. I’ve had a bit of an “off” day really. We both had a bad night and that’s really unusual for OH. At one point we were both laying on our backs – I was awake and I think he was in that stage between waking and sleeping and was dreaming. He suddenly flung out both his arms and landed me such a punch, right on a boob. I yelled and he jumped a mile in the air wondering why I was shouting. He then decided to move into another room and give me some peace but I was so wide awake by then that I got my book out again. My head has been funny again today as well. It’s not very painful but I’m woozy and a bit disorientated. I know lack of sleep makes me worse but I am also wondering if the dosage of one of my tablets needs adjusting. The doc decreases and increases the dosage depending on what I tell him at my annual review. Because of the situation with the corona virus and doctors’ appointments I missed my last review. I’ll see how it goes for a week or two and if I don’t improve I might ask if I can have a telephone consultation.

It’s good to see you posting Jane and I’m pleased that you aren’t feeling too bad at the moment. Your birthday picnic sounds fun. I wonder where it will be. Enjoy your wine and snacks with Fitz.

I hope Ros got on OK at her appointments today. Her arm does sound sore but didn’t the hospital say it could bleed a lot? Hopefully the doctors have been able to reassure her that all is as it should be. I’m sorry you’re a bit down Frank. I expect it’s a combination of not being all that good yourself and then worrying about Ros. Keep your chin up, things will get better soon.

Btw, could somebody forward me Frank’s latest funnies please. Sometimes I get the bits and pieces from Frank and sometimes I don’t. I’m not sure why.

I hope your OH was able to keep his appointment at the hospital, in spite of the Leicester lockdown, and hope all was well. Maybe people in other areas will now be more careful so they don’t get locked down again, but I somehow doubt it. We have got off fairly lightly in this area and I think people round here have generally been more sensible. I haven’t even seen groups of teenagers together. We have a large field, known as the rec., at the bottom of our road and often in the summer the youngsters gather there in the evening for an hour or two but they haven’t been doing that for the last few months.

I bet you were glad to get the wiping down finished Mel. I don’t bother with wiping the bags. I gather them all together in a corner of the garage and hope that any germs will have disappeared if I just leave them there for a couple of weeks.

You’re all set up with your veg then Mandy. How big are your troughs? The veg you’ve bought all take a bit of room. I hope you have lots of success with them. When I had a veg garden in our old house I always did well with cabbages of all sorts. Broccoli was a bit hit and miss but generally OK, but I never could grow a good cauli.

Time to call it a day I think. I’ve been looking at the print on the screen for too long and my eyes are going a bit wonky again. I hope you all have a good night tonight.

a PICNIC SOUNDS JUST THE THING FOR A SUMMER BIRTHDAY. i HOPE THE WEATHER HOLDS AND YOU GET A NICE DAY. Sorry did'nt mean to shout!

It will be nice to see Fitz for cheese and biccies and a good natter. Hope the next lot of chemo will be as good as the last if you don't feel so tired.

I wonder where these troughs of Mandy's are going if she is planting cabbages in them??? I had a thought that they would be on legs?????? Like Jane's herb trough and out of the way of Max? I now want to see a picture please?

Good to hear that you have felt ok this week Jane hope the next session is as good. Enjoy your time with Fizz, and I hope your surprise picnic is fab. <3

Afternoon All

Love The Lady on the bus Frank :-D :-D :-D :-D Hope that Ros got on ok at the hospital this afternoon.They will have had a good check on her poor arm.It does sound like she must have had quite a bleed for it to have been so badly bruised. But I think you said that it was possible that might happen hence her taking her overnight bag in.
It must still be very sore.

Ann how has OH got on with his appointment today? I hope he managed ot get there and that it wasnt cancelled due to the Lockdown in Leicester.

I have been fine this last week and not sleeping like I did the week before . Mel it is a week tomorrow I go for the next lot of Chemo and cold cap :-S

A couple of early cards arrived this morning :-D :-D. They are waiting on the mantlepiece until the 6th. It is Fitz's Birthday on Thursday so tomorrow he is going to pop up for a glass of wine and some cheese and biscuits.Hopefully we wont be rained off.If it does rain then he will have to sit one side of the lounge and Chris and I the other with the patio door open for airflow.

On Sunday Hannah has arranged something for my birthday.It will be a picnic somewhere where we have out own space with indoor/under cover if needed and a toilet.I have no idea where this will be.At least the weather looks ok that day and fairly warm :-) it is something to look forward to :-D :-D

How are the veg beds coming along Mandy? Ours are collapsing as they are all rotten now.But hopefully they will hang on a bit longer.Chris is very miffed.

Time for food I think.

Frank thanks for the funny

I hope ros can get something to ease the soreness of her arm, If it is right then surely she should have been warned to espect it.

Mel, I feel tired just thinking about all that wiping!

Hope G has got on OK at the hospital, no Ann so far.
And Gill and Vera must be busy gardening. It has been cold here most of the day although the temp has risen from 15 to 17 degrees now.

Jane I hope you are coping ok this time and not feeling too grotty. <3 <3

Frank she had one before and the arm did bruise like that did it? I think she should have gone sooner and shown him then.

Done all the wiping down and he came just at lunch time when I was boiling the eggs so lunch had to wait but I did'nt wipe all the bags down so I still have that to do now.

Nice one Frank and it did make me laugh.

Hi all, Just to let you know all is well here, apart from me feeling like I want to curl up in a corner, on my own, and be left alone. I am feeling so down.

Ros it at the hospital for 2.30 appointment, then going to our local doctors, to show them her arm. It looks really sore, and I'm sure it shouldn't have been damaged like this from an angiram (sp) I can see a claim coming up.

Trust you are all well. xxxx

Afternoon all,

Sun's out at the moment but we've had a lot of cloud this morning and a few spits of rain but not enough to wet the bedding I had on the line ,thats now all dry and folded .

Ann I hope OH gets on ok at the hospital today and doesn't have to hang about there to long with all that's going on in Leicester such a shame this has all flared up again just as shops and business were getting ready to open up again ,if it's a restaurant just think of all the fresh stock that will get wasted although I suppose it would go to the food banks but the business will still have to pay for it and it could mean the end for some of them.

I hope all those who think it's all over will think again ,it is still out there and this goes to prove it .


Colin has been making the first veg trough ,I have to say it looks quite big now it's made up but then it's no good if it's to small, he thinks he has enough wood to make three so we could always have the next two a little smaller.
Yesterday was wipe down day and I always feel tired out after that, I think it's going in to get it and then the wiping down ,I must admit Mondays seem the best time as it's so quiet and I don't have to watch other people to much .
I got some veg plants yesterday from Ali , white cabbage ,red cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli so they can go in the trough once it's been painted .

Jane hope your feeling less grotty this week and managing to eat a little <3

I meant to say I hope G gets on ok at the hospital today Ann.

Thinking of Jane with love and wishes and hope she is feeling a bit better this week. Its two more weeks to the next lot is'nt it?

good morning greyish with a bit of bright here but 15 degrees so quite chilly.

Just reading about the lockdown of Leicester. I fee sorry for the people who have been following instructions who are now being penalized. It does seem as though there is a language communication problem, although I wonder how many that is an excuse for who understand but choose not to.
Ann Looking at a map in the D Mail on line, you are just outside it, I hope your hairdresser is in an area where they can still open. Such a shame for all the businesses, the pubs and restaurants must be so disappointed after putting a lot of money into altering things to allow them to open. I do think people will be travelling to adjacent cities though to shop so hope it doesn't spread further. I also think there are going to be reprisals against people seen as being responsible.

Morning all,

Steady rain here this morning but no wind which is good.

Well I don't know where June went and its one of my favorite months.

Getting ready for the big wipe down.

We have a baby Robin coming to he patio to feed on the mealworms. He has'nt got his red waistcoat on yet.

Good evening all

A funny old day weather-wise. Grey skies that look full of rain but there have only been a few spits and spots, and very windy but still quite warm. I did all the usual boring housework jobs and then spent half an hour in the garden deadheading and cutting back a couple of plants that were shading the ones in front too much, but I felt as though I’d be blown over at any minute.

What a shame to lose another long post Frank. It’s so frustrating. I think it’s happened to us all at some time. If you’re not confident doing the post in a word document or notebook or whatever and then doing a copy and paste, you could try doing several short posts rather than one long one. I hope your lawns perk up a bit soon. If it’s just the hot sun that’s burnt them they will soon pick up again.

Enjoy your astronomy books Gill. I love looking at a starry sky just for the beauty of it and feel I ought to try to understand the science behind the stars and the planets but I can’t rouse much enthusiasm for it. I think there’s a link missing in my brain, lol. I’m not artistic and I’m not scientific. Oh dear....

Ann, I had read that newspaper piece about Chinese bulbs and seeds coming in labelled as other things. It is a bit worrying as you don’t know what bugs and diseases are being brought in to the country. I’m sorry to hear that restrictions in Leicester are going to continue for longer - will you be affected by it? If you’re like me you probably won’t want to be out and about much anyway. I hope there’s no further delay to your hospital appointment and I hope your OH’s appointment goes well tomorrow.

OH has just made us cold meat and salad so I had better go and eat. I’m wondering whether to risk a glass of wine. Because of my funny head I haven’t had any alcohol for a week or so but there is a very nice rose in the fridge with my name on it.....perhaps just a small glass.

I thought I did send a photo of the gooseberry bush some time back.they are being picked in batches Mel.
Fancy forgetting the big girls, I bet they are cross, no eggs for you.

Have cut the box ball on the front of the rockery bit outside the kitchen window and dead headed the mini roses and cut the lavender off to try and make it bushyer. I shall dry the lavender and use it in my crafts later.

Did we have a pic of your goosegogs AnnG?

O I have forgotten to corn the big girls and only did the bantams!! :-S

:-D :-D :-D :-D Annx

I saw a photo on line earlier of a group of twelve Asian looking lads all meeting to play cricket and all with arms on each others shoulders etc. I do think it is the older teens and twenty year olds who think they won't catch the disease, or if they do they won't be very ill. But the trouble is it is Asian and ither ethnic people who suffer badly if they get it.

Yes I threw out a load of jars as well at the start of the lockdown. The following is a recipe I had off GR many years ago. I use spiced vinegar instead of white vinegar and all the separate spices.
Cucumber relish
yield 2 and quarter pounds

1 and half pounds ridge cucumbers
8 oz onion
1 green pepper
three quarters ounce of salt
half pint of white vinegar
5 ounces sugar I use part white part brown
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 teaspoon ground allspice
half teaspoon ground mace
Peel and dice the cucumbers, finely slice the onion, de seed and shred the green pepper. Place in a bowl with the salt. Leave to stand for 3 hours.
Drain, rinse in cold water, and drain again thoroughly.
Place remaining ingredients in a pan, stir until sugar is dissolved, bring to boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the vegetables, bring to the boil, and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Pour into warm jars, cover securely and label.
KEEPS FOR 6 - 8 WEEKS

It keeps for way longer than 6/8 weeks.

It wasn't the coronavirus risk with the seeds Mel. It was about bringing plant diseases or pests into the country with things like seeds or plants if they hadn't gone through the proper checks. It suggested that some sellers were getting round the checks by incorrect labelling.

Ha ha AnnG I see what you mean about the window cleaner! Perish the thought, he's pleasant enough but not my type at all, plus he climbs over the side gate if we are out despite being told not to which annoys me!! I hope I can get that image out of my head before he calls next time. :-D

I am wondering what my hairdresser will do if they lock the city down too. He has a couple of salons in the city and two in the county which includes the one I go to. Hopefully he would keep the county ones open or my hair appointment will be going west! :-( There have been a few gatherings in the city and we were expecting this. Even today's local paper says the police are breaking up gatherings and fights on parks. Around 400, mostly teenagers and people in their early 20s have been drinking, partying and swimming at Saddington reservoir, no social distancing and cars dumped all over the verges, so people have had to stop and pull their wing mirrors in to get through. Most businesses are doing their best to reduce infection rates in line with government rules and keep jobs open, yet these younger folk are behaving like this and jeopardising not only the health of us all but also the economy and people's jobs and livelihoods when shutdowns are a consequence.

I am always losing posts too Frank. I think I press a wrong key sometimes like AnnG says and I don't seem to remember to open a word document and cut and paste like Vera. I just think I will be more careful, but that doesn't work. I hope Ros's arm is less swollen now and feeling better.

OH is at the hospital tomorrow to have this throat looked at. He is not wanting to go at all as he is concerned about the coronavirus, especially since cases here have increased. Also about using toilets. I have one of those on line sessions tomorrow but he didn't want me going with him and taking risks too and he rightly said he can speed in and out which he couldn't with me and my slow knees.

Lovely goosegogs AnnG! We have a glut now......of cues. Thirteen now so I must look up some pickle recipes and pray I have enough vinegar and jamjars as I got OH to throw some out to make room for the extra food a few weeks ago.

Morning everyone,

Not bad here today but windy with sun and blue sky and clouds out the back and the fronts a bit grey.

Not another lost post Frank. It makes you wonder where all these posts turn up dos'nt it? Hope you had a reasonable night and Ros is feeling better today. Has the bruising gone down now?

Nice to get some books for you to read on subjects you like Gill. I hope you gave them a good wipe down before reading them.

We are waiting to see if there are any new cases down here after everyone flocked to the beaches the other day down in Plymouth and Newquay etc. Next we will be having border police to get into the county.

Anng have you seen those magnetic window cleaners? They are like I had for the fish tank thye look good but I don't know if they work as well as they show them. you put one bit on the window outside and the other on the inside and where ever you move the inside one, the one on the outside follows. Ok if you can open the window to start with.

Ann I think your seeds should be ok to use as you've had them for more than 72 hours. Its a shame people take advantage of the lock down restrictions and put others at risk.

Frank a couple of times I have lost posts and afterwards, thinking back I realised I had pressed return instead of submit and another time pressed preview, then went back to the menu and of course it has not posted

I have just lost another long post. I just don't know why it does this. So I am going to have a coffee, and will come back to it later. xxxx