General Chat

Annx Do you have any viterol? That is what most helped my side muscle pain. I just ordered a new tube on line with Tesco.

That is a worry that two people caught the virus at a funeral, if that happens too often they will reduce the number allowed to go. I wonder if they risked hugging?

I wondered why I had not had the photo, now we know!! Senior moment!!

Jane glad you enjoyed seeing your sister. Have a nice day with Hannah today. This weather is real BBQ weather isn't it, although we have not had one yet. Nothing really in the freezer suitabl;e to cook on the BBQ.

Gill, were the Red Robins still in the pots you bought them in? Unusual for them to be in clay? I wouldn't buy plants like that from that garden centre any more then.

Morning All,

More sunshine and not too hot yet which is good. The Tortoiseshell butterflies are fluttering about this morning, enjoying the nectar from the pinks and the thrift. It's not that easy getting photos though as they dart about so quickly.

Mel your OH was lucky to get off with a few scratches. He must have landed where the grass gave him a bit of padding! That's good that your hogs seem to be around.

I tried to watch the funeral last night but it wasn't loaded yet so I will try again later. One of the friends in the zoom meeting yesterday said she knew of 2 people who had attended a same funeral recently who had then got the virus. It was at the same Crematorium as yesterday's funeral so I hope they are wiping down well after each one, although it could be people getting too close to each other.

Mandy, I just checked and think I can't have pressed 'send'. I know I did the email and attachment so will try again later. Yes I expect a lot of people will be going to the coast, which is really not fair to the locals as some will be carrying the virus and spreading it. I can never understand why people want to be where there are crowds anyway. I know the toilets are still closed in a lot of places as well so I hope they have their Shewees.

Vera, Naga does well to manage to cut the back of her hair that well. I can do the front but not the back. I suppose on curly hair any mistakes don't show up so well though. I wonder if she cuts her own all the time if she can do it that well? It would hardly be worth paying someone else.

I hope Frank is ok today and isn't black and blue with bruises. He needs to take it easy for a few days now.

I had an awful night with my side hurting and nearly went and sat in the lounge as I couldn't lie on either side without pain, even just breathing. I must have twisted the same spot again somehow as it was less painful during the day. This morning I have been moving very gingerly and managed to shower and get today's 1 pan lunch ready. I can't take Ibuprofen, but have put some of my knee gel on my side to see if it helps. It's definitely the muscle as I could prod and find the exact spot.

OH has just finished painting the last bit of trellis so I'd better put the gas on to cook lunch. BBL

Morning Everyone
Oh my goodness Frank!!!!! You really did yourself a lot of damage.12 stitches is quite a number.You really have to ease up and just do NOTHING for a day or so.

Vera I hope you don’t feel too battered and bruised today after your fall.Good job you didn’t bang your head.

Mel how is OH after his mishap yesterday?
As you said that is 3 accidents now so fingers crossed the rest of us are safe :-D

We had a lovely few hours with Janice and Larry on Thursday and today Hannah and Gareth will be here for a BBQ.
It is our 39th Wedding Anniversary today.What perfect weather for it too.

Enjoy whatever you might be doing today and Frank just remember you aren’t superman.Take a day off :-D

Morning all

Bright and sunny and quite warm to. I noticed a cat and a Magpie paying a lot of attention to the hedge earlier, so I think there maybe a Blackbirds nest there. I clapped my hands to scare the cat and Magpie away, so it looks like I'm on Blackbird nest watch today lol.

I've replied to your PM Mel. I think you were right with BT I never got a text to say the switch over had happened. At least I'm still online which is the main thing.

I've caught the sun on my arms after spending all day fixing the screening yesterday. I can't buy anymore at the moment with the shops shut so it was a make do and mend job. We've cut down and thrown away the big Red Robin plant, we now know why it was losing it's leaves, it was planted in solid clay, it was like concrete to break up, so we've decided to throw the other one away as well, so I'll be making a start on cutting the branches off that soon, then OH can break it up ready for the tip. He was going to go to the tip today but with it being a weekend it'll be very busy so he's going to wait until one day next week, hopefully it'll be a bit quieter then and safer with not so many people around.

Well, I'd better go OH is waiting for me to help him with the second plant, I'll catch up with the post when I can, I hope everyone is okay.

good morning all, another beautiful day so the beaches will be full let us just hope that it is, as they say, that the virus doesn't spread as easily out in the air and doesn't like the salt water. I suppose we can't blame people who live in places without gardens for going to the beach, especially if they have children. Have to hope the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for them and that they remain socially distant.

For us, unless we go for a short walk we will be going nowhere. Not that there is anything left to do in the garden though. I suppose the lounge and bedroom need dusting though so that could well be done.

Vera. good that you don't seem too bad after your fall, hope it is the same this morning.
And hope your OH is OK too Mel.

I don't think Annx has sent the photo out yet as I have not had it either.

Ann did you manage to view the funeral OK, strange the things we are doing since this virus struck isn't it?

Mandy I am sure there will be many more people out and about, I am sure that people will be anticipating the fact that he relaxed the visiting in gardens bit. Yesterday the lady over the road had a visitor all day. I am sure they could not have been outside all that time. People take advantage.

Frank hope you managed to sleep ok and that the scar is not too much trouble.

O I did'nt get the pic of the card you made either Ann.

Morning Mandy and all,

I agree with you Mandy about people going out. It only takes one person to get it and they pass it so easily and it escalates from there.

I hope Frank had some sleep last night after that nasty fall. Rest up today Frank and hows the eye now??

We have a beautiful morning again and I can hear the birds singing their heads off. This must have been the best holiday the children have had weatherwise as when thye get the summer holiday it usually rains. The boys next door are having great fun in the pool we gave them as we can hear them shouting at each other. It great but I suppose some arn't as lucky as us with the land we have and it must be really hard for people in flats with children if they can't take them out.

Oh only ended up with a couple of nicks on his right arm from the fall backwards off the mower yesterday. The rambling rose caught the back of the chair he used as a mower seat and tore it off. Its still laying on the grass down behind my pond.

At 1.02am I saw a hedgehog in the garden it walked past the patio down past oh's pond and my pond the the damp bit behind my pond where I lost sight of it. So they are back around the back bit of garden. Oh said he saw one the other morning just as it was getting light.

Morning all,

Oh Frank that was so silly taking such a risk and now your paying for it with a fall ,was it worth it :-(

Vera hope your not to bad after your garden blunder ,you were so lucky not to have hurt your head and now you've twisted your back again so I hope it's a little better today you'll have to have a rest over the week end .

Oh Mel that was a nasty fall backwards for your OH how is he today ?

Ann I didn't get the photo of the little card you made ,I like seeing all that you make .

I thought there was a lot more people about yesterday ,I can see from my kitchen window people walking through the the churchyard and more cars going past the church , I wonder how many will be out and about this week end going to the coast
and mixing when they shouldn't, the Virus is still out there and it's going to take a long time ever to get back to any thing normal.

I agree with the others Frank. You and Ros were silly to risk travelling anywhere, let alone such a long journey. We’re all in the same boat with not seeing our families. I haven’t seen my son and his family since October. Still, what’s done is done and the important thing is that you rest and recover now.

I hope your OH is OK after his tumble Mel. I think I’ve got away lightly. I am quite stiff now but I expected my back to be painful and it’s not too bad at all. My foot and ankle hurt a bit but I’m sure they’ll be alright in a day or two. Yes, it’s the spare room again tonight.

Ann, Naga Munchetty has been cutting her own hair. I heard her talking about it and saw a short clip of her doing it. I wouldn’t dare touch mine - I can’t even cut paper straight.

I agree with Auntie Mel too Frank! What a silly thing to do to take risks and cause extra work for the NHS at a time like this as well. It was a nasty fall you if you needed so many stitches and must have shaken you up a lot. Just take it easy now and rest up. What did I say about damaging yourself so they would have to postpone doing your eye. Will it be a local nurse to remove your stitches.?

Oh no Vera, I bet you gave your back a nasty wrench falling backwards like that. I once stepped back off the front borders and just caught my heel on the paving edge and fell onto the path, but despite my efforts my head went back and hit the corner of the bungalow, which was quite a shock. I hope you aren't too stiff and sore tomorrow. I'm beginning to think far too many have the same attitude as your neighbour. I know someone who had a mobile hairdresser call and had several other family members call in to have their hair done as well. Have you noticed that the presenter Naggar Munchetti's hair is very short for someone who's hair hasn't been cut since the lockdown? I'm not keen on the dried milk in tea or coffee either, but OH doesn't even notice the difference in sauces and custard! lol. The personally named rose sounds like a nice gift for your grandson's partner.

OH has watered with the hosepipe tonight and we both feel tired so are having an early night. See what tomorrow brings!

Ooh I forgot. A few photos from our walk yesterday on the photo blog.

Sorry you hurt yourself Frank and hope it soon heals. But as someone who has not seen any family since Christmas and not likely to for at least another couple of months, I am with Mel on this. The West Country have asked us to stay away to save their hospitals which can only cope with local problems and to definitely not stay overnight.. sadly they were right, accidents happen and hospital time is freely given. But it is not in the spirit of things. Try and rest anyway and see your GP if the scar bothers you.

Vera, oh dear that sounds nasty I hope you don’t have more bruises tomorrow, I expect you will be stiff but good that you didn’t hit your head. Spare bed tonight I reckon. Take it easy and try and get a good nights sleep.
Your neighbours are dealing pushing things a bit far and so is the hairdresser. Who would be very shocked if she caught the virus. Silly person.

Well its really nice to know Frank is ok but what a silly boy and Ros too. Fancy going to see them when we have been told not to travel. I am very very cross with you both taking a risk like that. Moan over now take care and rest up and mend. Aunty Mel has spoken...............

What with Frank falling and Vera falling and oh's seat back broke on the mower and he went backward onto the grass. So that three falls so we should be safe now.

I have been up the border again digging out more twitch in the solid earth. Thanks goodness for my trusty little two pronged fork oh made me. It was a border fork but I broke off the left hand tine so he took the right hand one off and it has had three new handles. Its really great and I can dig with it and twist it to get weeds out. This new handle has a T bar on the top. Its great for getting inbetween plnts that are close together. The only thing is I can't put my foot on it so I put my weight on it and wiggle it sideways and back and forth.

Salmon fishcakes for dinner with chips and peas.

Afternoon all

It’s a lovely day here; not quite as hot as it has been and with a slight breeze

I spent part of the morning trying to sort out a birthday present for grandson’s partner. I don’t really know her all that well so don’t know her tastes. They are living in a rented house but the landlord seems to like them and considers them responsible tenants and so has given them a more or less free hand to do what they like in the house and garden. I know they have been working on the garden lately so thought something for that might be suitable. I found a company that does roses and has unnamed varieties that they will name for the recipient. I chose a nice pink one and it will have a label on it with her name and a certificate. I hope she likes it.

After that I went to do a bit more tidying up in the garden. I was standing in the middle of a flower bed clearing up a load of dead daffodil leaves, very carefully lifted my foot up high and stepped back, but just caught the heel of my shoe on the rim of one of those round plant supports and went flying over backwards on to a paved path. I managed to keep my head up so I didn’t bash that on the paving but I jolted my back and neck, twisted my ankle and put a beautiful large graze on my elbow. I muttered a few very choice words!

Ann, I understand now why you had so many items in your shop. I did have a fairly well stocked cupboard to start with and I have only bought food and cleaning stuff online, plus things like toothpaste and shampoo. We don’t have anyone who can shop for us so I have been to our small local Co-op 3 times since lockdown just to buy milk really and I go at the quietest time of day, either really early in the morning or lunchtime. I’ve got longlife milk and dried milk in the cupboard but we don’t really like them so we only use them if I can’t get out to get fresh milk.

My neighbours really worry me. They seem intelligent people when you talk to them but I really don’t think they understand their situation at present. They are supposed to be shielding as the man is very vulnerable so they should both be staying in their home and having no-one in. But they are out and about all the time and think it’s OK as he stays in the car. They have had people in to put up a new fence, to put a new seat on their lavatory as the lid part had broken (toilet still worked fine) and today they have an oven cleaning company in. How can that be classed as essential? She has also told me she has a hair appointment in 2 weeks’ time. The girl she goes to works from her own home but no hairdresser is supposed to start working before 4th July. Her attitude is “Who’s to know?”. It makes me so angry because if she brings a virus home to her husband and he is ill it will be overworked NHS staff who will have to look after him. Sorry, rant over.

I’ve also got a lot of stuff for the charity shops which is all being stored in a spare bedroom at the moment. I suppose I’ll have to hang on to it all for 2 or 3 months and then maybe take a few bits at a time. I really need to get going and sort out a few more cupboards and shelves but I seem to have lost the motivation a bit.

I was just about to post this when I saw you had put a post up Frank. It’s a relief to hear from you but my goodness what a nasty time you have had. It must have been very frightening for you and scary for Ros too. It sounds as though you got good treatment from the hospital but now you must rest up and give your body time to settle down again. How long do the stitches have to stay in? Take care and don’t worry about posting if you don’t feel up to it. Just look after yourself.

Well here I am at last.

Conrad is going back =to Spain in the next week or so.AsRos hasn'tseen him since CHRISTMAS and there is no way we are getting out to see him in Spain, will all that's going on with the Coronavirus and shutdownSo yesterday morning wee were up with the LARKS and drove down to see him. NAUGHTY I KNOW, but we intended coming back yesterday evening .

When I got out of the car at their house I TRIPPED and fell FACE DOWN on rough concrete, that they have had laid, ready for when they put down the tiles, that are coming from Spain. I split my forehead to the SCULL and was hospitalised for 4 hours. I had also split open two tips of my fingers on both hands, as well as my right knee. The nurse and Doctor spent ages picking out all the loose pieces or concrete. then they had to deaden my forehead before putting the flap of skin back into place, and stitching it back. TWELVE STITCHES. The Dr. said I could expect a very nasty SCAR. They treaded me like ROYALiTY. Patched up my knees and fingers, removed cement pieces from my palms. I was then kept under observation. This gave them the opportunity to do a HEART SCAN and tested me for the Covid 19. Never got that result, but they have my number if they need to contact me.

They rang Conrad, who came and collected me at 4.30 pm. Far too late to consider driving home, plus I was in such a state of shock, there was no way I could have stood the journey. So we stayed over,

I had the smallest portion of SHEEP S @@@ PIE, before having my pain killers, and going to bed. I could not settle and got up. THEY SAID I was in a right state. talking about peoples net curtain. Afachild our PJs were called "sleeping suits" and I ramled on about those too. Finally Ros and Conrad got me into bed, I couldn't sleep and kept Ros awake until 3.30 am, when finally we dropped off until 9.30 am. I couldn't face a breakfast so just had COT. We set off soon after MIDDAY and Ros drove right through, without a break. Arriving here around 3.45 pm. We had a perfect journey with very little traffic.

I'm not cooking this evening, so it's either F & C or a takeaway.


I haven't had time to do anything, including reading all your posts. Please take care of yourselfs. I will try to post tomorrow, provided I am feeling up to it. xxxx

Its really quite windy here now but the sun is still shining brightly.

Have done lunch and am thinking about going up the border but my mouth is sore again today. I think I may have irritated it with the floss this morning as the bottom tooth was ok when I woke up but now it is throbbing and so is the top one.

I do wish we could hear from Frank.

I guess like TV newsreaders you only need to change your top half!!

Yes, we have a big bag of clothes for the charity shops too and I haven't finished going through my clothes yet. I read the other day that they are expecting mayhem when they open and will have to store what they get for 3 days in any case before going through the donations. Most won't have room for a one way system either so will have to limit the customers going in.

I haven't done anymore planting today to save my back/side which seems a bit better. I deadheaded the pansies instead.

OH has just washed up from lunch and is staying in to catch up with some of his work emails and I feel thoroughly lazy now! It is so hot outside I shall see if I do anything once it cools down later. I better change for the meeting now. It's funny, but I spend so much time in my old clothes now! I'd better slick down my hair with some water too as the kinks are doing their own thing!

Annx yes I don't know where the time goes these days. I spent most of the morning sorting out Tee shirts and putting away sweaters, normally that would involve collecting a bag full for the charity shop but I didn't do that as I can guess that, even when they open there is going to be some sort of hysteria over donations so that will have to wait a few months now. I have a pile downstairs to iron so had better go and do those. At least I know where they all are now. Just got trousers to sort now. Shame, can't get rid of any of those either.

Afternoon All,

More sunshine and very pleasant outside this morning. We went in my car to drop the plant and card off at my friend's and I left it at the door and texted her after. She texted back and said it was a lovely surprise. We popped to Sainsbury's garage then and there was hardly anyone there. Hubby insisted he fill the car up so I didn't need to touch anything and sanitised his hands after and put in under the £45 so he didn't need to enter a pin. We drove past the front of the store then and the queue was all across the front and round the corner. I also spotted where the click and collect was in case we need it. Then we went a little drive past a couple of garden centres in villages and they had no queues so I might venture into one next week as I really could do with some geraniums.

AnnG it was a big change for us as we ate out for one meal nearly every day and had only recently started giving Sundays a miss and that was only because it was so busy and we hate crowded noisy places. It was our retirement treat as we don't smoke or drink, although OH has a very occasional beer or a bottle of wine at Christmas.

I ought to do some more French Marigold planting, but need to get lunch first and there is a zoom meet up with friends at 3.30pm. It is also the funeral of a friend's husband which will be on hine so I want to watch that too.

Staying in can be very busy can't it! lol.

I hope we hear from Frank, Gill and Jane today.