General Chat

Morning all from a wet and windy Suffolk

Mel, I’ve had a dishwasher since 1986 and would hate to be without one now. I expect we will be out looking for a new one soon.

I can understand why you would want to sell some land. You have a lot of it and it takes a lot of work to look after it and, of course, it gets harder as we get older. If you do decide to sell I hope you get a good price for it.

Anyone doing anything interesting today? I’ll cook our usual Sunday roast but otherwise I am going to stay in the warm and just mooch. Whatever you are doing, have a nice day.

O Vera what a day you have had. Not nice when you don't feel safe to leave your house because you have to keep visiting your white friend. Hope th etum settles soon. Shame about the dish washer thats what you don't need with all the water thats around at the present time. Not fear of flooding but you don't need it inside your house from other things. I don't have a dish washer just oh who does it for me.

I am thinking of selling the top of the garden as we don't want to go up there anymore but it means an awful lot of clearing out and we won't be able to do it as we get older. We like living down here but never go up the potting sheds anymore. If I decide to sell it oh will also sell the top field so it could all go together. Less work for him mowing. Oh is'nt up to much now so if we leave it any longer it will be harder for both of us.

Evening everyone

Well, what a pig of a day it’s been :-(. I slept very little but fell into a deep sleep around 7 am, then I woke with a start at 9.30. We usually go out at 10.30 on Saturdays so I leapt out of bed to shower, wash my hair and get a quick breakfast and realised I needed to visit the white friend. After half a dozen trips to the bathroom I decided I couldn’t risk going out. Just as well as it’s only since about 5 o’clock that I’ve felt safe to venture more than a few yards away. Then while I was cleaning my teeth a chunk fell off one of them and I now have a large hole and have to chew on the other side of my mouth. Then I decided to go online and put in a supermarket order for delivery on Tuesday. Three quarters of the way through the computer locked up completely and I wasted a good half hour trying to sort it before I gave up, rebooted it and then shut it down. Luckily I was able to complete my order on the iPad. The final straw was coming downstairs from the computer to find the kitchen running in water. The dishwasher had given up on us! I feel like going to bed and pretending today hasn’t happened.

My back is a bit easier now. I am still taking ibuprofen to help with any inflammation but I haven’t needed the heat pad or any other painkillers today.

AnninG, I hope you have a less disturbed night tonight. Those nights when you sleep, wake, sleep and wake seem to leave you more tired than ever don’t they. Your top sounds a bargain. I am glad you are clear of the flooding. It seems to be pretty bad in your part of the world. I hope Jane’s niece is OK.

I love your clay bakes Mel. You are so clever. I hope that lady found her holiday cottage. I have a vision of her wandering the Devon lanes forever looking for her accommodation :-D. Fancy missing the shop because you were chatting for too long; tut, tut, slapped wrist. Good job it wasn’t something urgent that you needed and, like they say, it’s good to talk.

I’m pleased you had a better night last night Ann. It sounds as though you really needed the sleep. Isn’t it sad that the chap they have arrested for the shootings is only 15? These kids don’t seem to have any sort of childhood and he was probably brought up with violence. I mustn’t pre-judge him as he hasn’t been found guilty yet but so many murders now seem to be committed by youngsters. I just find it so sad.

I hope you can get your laptop sorted Frank. You must get really frustrated when you spend ages typing a post and then you lose it. It would drive me barmy.

I’m glad your sore throat and headache went Gill. Now you need to try and get your body clock back in synch again so you get a good sleep at night and are more “with it” during the day. It will certainly be interesting to see if that bungalow sells at the asking price. Some people do price their houses very high on the basis that everyone makes a lower offer so they might get an offer at the price they really want, but that can backfire. People won’t go to view a house if it is too highly priced for the area.

Re. Stamps, I hardly ever use 1st class for letters as they don’t seem to get there any quicker. A while ago I put a 1st class stamp on a letter to a nearby town as it contained a cheque that I wanted to arrive quickly. It took 5 days! I usually have just a few 1st class in the house but we buy 2nd class in sheets of 50 or 100. It’s a lot of money to pay out in one go but last us a long while and you can use them even if the price goes up so a saving in the long run. So much is done by email these days that the stamps are mostly used for birthday cards and the occasional letter.

Mandy, I need to see a post from you or I will start dreaming again that you are missing and we are all searching for you. :-D

Evening All,

Well I slept really well last night and didn't get up till 11.00am so feel a lot better. OH didn't go to footie as he said the places with artificial turf often don't have stands and rain was forecast. I popped out for the paper and drove to look at the location of another bungalow for sale near The Manor where we go for one of our carveries. It is quite new at the end of a cul de sac of bungalows and has off road parking for at least 4 cars, but is no bigger than where we are so not ideal.

Mel your clay work is really good and these are your first attempts so even more so! :-) I'm looking forward to seeing what you make next. Tht lady looking for a place will be thinking she is going into the back of beyond, that's if she gets very far!.

Oh I see it's next week your OH starts his new job Gill. I hope he settles into it quickly and is happy there. It will be good for him to have a routine and job and some money coming in too. I'm glad your headache and sore throat have gone and am glad you have found the book now. You have some good ideas for things to occupy your time now which is good. I think I will be stocking up on 2nd class stamps now too as I hadn't realised they were going up in price. It has passed me by somehow. How long before they will be £1 each I wonder!! :-S It's good your tablets seem to be stopping your migraines. If you get stuck you could always ring your internet provider once you get your new router Gill and ask them if they will talk you through what to do.

AnnG we had a slate slab base put down to put our little arbour on and I wish we'd had all the patio done in slate now instead of that smooth indian stone. It is soooo easy to clean in comparison as nothing can get a grip on it. Even a bucket of water and brush will clean it without scrubbing and one sweep of the jetwash does it. It sounds like the floods near you are quite bad as the levels have gone down here for now. The homes on that island must be hard to sell.

The local paper said they have arrested a 15 year old for the shooting of the 2 men near the village.

I will do a bit more of that applique now. I wish I could find my thimble though as the base material is hard to get the needle through. I have at least 2 SOMEWHERE!

No nothing for dinner just the Saturday paper and a wholemeal loaf for me so I can get both those up tomorrow morning if oh wakes me up in time as they are only open till 12 noon.

The bread from up the shop is lovely and a big loaf lasts me all week as I cut it in half and freeze half.

Not got onto my crafts yet!! Did the rest of the bed and oh helped with the quilt cover as I am not tall enough to lift the king size quilt and cover. Then I did the chickens and got lost potting up some bulbws I bought in one pot then came in a did a bit of clearing up and made a drink and hot cross bun for us and now I am going to go and shut the chickens in and then go in the lounge to my tables.

Too much nattering Mel :-D Still it probably does you good to talk as otherwise you would just be in the house all day. Hope it wasn't food for this evening that you wanted?

I have made three cards and a couple of book marks for my friend to sell for charity. Shall be taking it all down to her next week. She unfortunately can't collect now as she is disabled.

Thats a good idea about he stamps AnnG I may do the same.

Glad your sore thraot and headache have gone Gill. You must have needed that sleep to wake so late for you.

Top sounds nice Anng and navy and white never goes out of fashion does it?

Spent a lot of time in Em's nattering and missed the hsop. It was closed by the tim eI got down there. I must get my watch battery renewed as I am lost without it. Even the car clock is wrong as I never change it from when the clocks go forward or back. Its such a pain its not worth it.

We had a dry morning but it rained a little about 3pm. I have'nt been on the crafts yet as I was changing the bed but got puffed out so having a rest before doing the rest of it and the chickens. I may then be able to get in there.

They do say in the paper Gill that house pries have risen recently.

The floods are about 5 mins away by car travelling in 30mph zones. Highly unlikely to reach us though as the main ones are caused by the river Severn and the water coming down it from rainfall in Wales.

Did you buy the DIY book Gill or did somebody give it to you.Pity it is not something to interest you though.

Good that your sore throat has gone though. You need to try and stay awake as long as you can today so that you go to bed about 10 o'clock/11 o'clock and try and get back to normal sleep patterns.

It is windy here but not as bad as it has been, 12 degrees according to Alexa but feels colder than that.

Re the rise in price of stamps. I never send anything first class because it does not guarantee next day delivery. I always send second class. And I will be investing in a few books of second class which will still be valid after the price rise. I send a lot of letters and birthday cards through the year.

Afternoon all

Very windy here, it's been windy since yesterday and doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon. Thankfully nothing is damaged in the garden and the fences are still up so that's something.

The poor donkey AnnG, at least the RSPCA have him now, so he'll be well looked after. It sounds pretty bad by you with the floods, are they anyway near you?

Oh dear Frank, it sounds like a problem with your laptop I hope Harvey can fix it for you. I'm expecting a new router soon, but I don't know how to set it up, so if I'm not on here for a while you know why. OH's friend said he'd help me set it up but he's a very busy man so I'll have to wait until he has the time. It hasn't arrived yet, it's to do with fibre cables or something like that, the switch over is sometime in May, so I don't think the router will arrive until nearer the time.

Hope Ann had a better nights sleep last night, I had a bad night but I think it's because I slept the afternoon away yesterday, I finally fell asleep but didn't wake up until almost 11am, it looks as if my body clock is all over the place at the moment.

Love the pics Mel especially the one with the rabbit at night, it looks like you've got the hang of your new oven now so they'll be no stopping you. Are these things for another sale at Christmas?

How is your back today Vera, I hope it's not to bad, try and rest it for a day or two if you can, it might help.

My sore throat and headache have gone now, so that's good. I had a look at the DIY book before, but it's way over my head, none of it makes sense, it's like it's designed for a proper builder.

Next door but one has put their bungalow on the market at £260,000, we think it's their valuation rather than the estate agents as they're not worth any where near that, he'll be lucky if he gets £200,000. If he does sell for the asking price we won't be far behind him in selling ours. If we can get that price ourselves we'd be silly not to sell. I'm sure there's a ceiling prices on this road though, so we're keeping an eye on it to see if he reduces it over the next few months. It will be interesting to see if anyone views it at the price he's put it on the market for now.

Well I got the tots I wanted that I couldn't get at Dobbies and it worked out £1 cheaper. We also bought 4 slate slabs for part of a small seating area. another door mat (actually we have so many that we can pracrically carpet the conservatory with them! And a reduced top in their sale. I like the clothes they sell but their full proces are too much for me. This was £12 instead of £24, Just a thin sort of thick cotton blouson type top with long sleeves to go over a thin long sleeved T shirt in the evenings on holiday in Navy and white design.

Sounds as if there is something happening with the lap top Frank or maybe you are touching something without realising when you go to post.

Mel a craft afternoon for you then?

Driving out to Newent was like driving through lakes as both sides of the road are really flooded across the whole flood plain, it is going to take ages to recede. One place where there are houses, which is an island anyway (called Alney Island) is completely flooded. I knew though that the residents were evacuated. It always happens there. And a travellers' site is badly flooded as well. A travellers' donkey was found abandoned in one of the town car parks. The RSPCA have got him I think and say he is ok.

Nice to see you this morning Frank. Hope you slept well.

Vera is your back any better today? I hope its easing off now and you are more mobile.

GOOD AFTERNOON ALL, Would you believe my luck, I have just sat and tried to repeat what I tried to post yesterday. AND THE SCREEN WENT BLANK AGAIN> !!!!

I will get Harvey or Lewis to come and have a look at the laptop. to see if they can find the problem.

Not risking this disappearing so will post it, and try again later. xxxx

Morning AnnG and all,

Its quite bright here this orning and I don't think it rained in the night.

That was a strange sleep pattern youhad last night AnnG. So six hours in all with breaks.

Hope ann slept better and feels more refreshed this morning. I was up once for the loo and then slept till 10am when I was woken by someone talking to oh. It was a lady looking for a holiday cottage but he did'nt know where it was. Anyway we think it was down the rough road as she was told to go over the little bridge and turn left just after it. Its a very rough track and she had a very low car so we don't know how she got on going down there as there are loads of deep pot holes and it not really a road surface and it leads to a wooded area so will be so muddy.

Shop this morning and egg delivery and the rest of the day is mine apart from doing the chickens and bantams twice.

good morning all, some sun this morning but looks a bit chilly at the moment.

Annx hope you had a better night. I had a strange night, slept for two hours once I got to sleep, went to the loo, slept for another 3 hours, woke up, went to the loo then slept another hour or so.

Off to another garden centre, think the roads are clear that way anyway. BBL.

Evening All,

Well here I am Mel and I have just lost a post too like Frank! I had a bad night's sleep and was awake till gone 5.00am, so hardly worth going to bed really. I got up and made a COT to take back to bed and then fell asleep, but had to be up before 9.00am. It turned out to be the drains needing work Mel, so I went under my own steam this morning! Perhaps as well as OH went and got an appointment to see the Nurse Practitioner. They think his cough is just viral and said to give it another week. Then he went to see his dentist this afternoon about the root fillings now he has the letter from the hospital. The dentist suggested leaving well alone as the teeth aren't giving any trouble and doing the root fillings could set things off, so he was more than happy with that! :-)

I remember mum using Napisan for my little brother's nappies Vera and I used to use Milton when we used to go caravaning. I think it was to sterilise the water pipes. Sorry to hear your back is still playing up. I suppose you did more with having your visitors which may have aggravated it a bit. You had a nice selection of gifts!

AnnG general shopping is a necessary evil isn't it. I start getting fed up as soon as I trudge from afar to near the store with my grumpy knees and see all those empty parking spaces for mother and child just conveniently outside. I think they should be available for everyone when it's past little ones bedtimes. ;-) It's like walking round a village centre to find everything in our Sainsbury's and finding a tin of tuna without chilli or something added I don't want takes time and perseverance with all the different makes and options! Good luck with your dental appointments next week.

That's good you are feeling human again Jane and that your scan is done too. How unusual it wasn't busy at the Hospital today. Fingers crossed the results will be good like last time.

Mmmmm nice buns Mandy, a choccie one for me like Mr Mel please! Did Lacey take any home with her?

Sorry you have a sore throat and headache Gill. Get lots of sleep and make yourself some nice food so you will cope better. Is your OH liking the place where he is working?

I'm off to bed now, see if I have a better night! :-S

Sorry you have a sore throat and headache Gill hope it passes off soon.
Great that you found the book you knew it was there somewhere didn’t you?
You should be ok with the batch cooking then. Good.

Vera that was a wash load you didn’t need wasn’t it? Men!

Yes I am sure the dentist will be fine and the BCC removal won’t hurt while she is doing it, although no doubt will be sore until the stitches heal just have to grin and bear it. I do so wish that the dangers of the sun were known when I was a child. Living near the sea most of our time was spent at the beach.
Sorry your back is still playing up. More rest needed.

Sent pics of what I have been up to.

I wonder if Ann managed to park near beading or if G dropped her off.

Good to hear from you Jane and that your feeling a little better now after the last treatment. Your poor niece with all that water. Have they got insurance and did much get in the house?

You had a good sleep there Gill and sleep does you good. Glad you found your book so you have something to read and get interested in while oh is at work.

Vera I had forgotten about Napisan. Still memories coming back to us then. Hope the back eases for you soon as its gone on a long while now. They do still do it too.

Frank sorry you lost your post but perhaps you will have more to tell us about tomorrow and write shorter posts and more of them so you don't lose them along the way.

Good luck for your dental treatment next week AnnG. We've had that bitter wind here today and its been dry all day here too.

Mandy save a choc cake for oh please as they are his favorites any kind will do me i'm not fussy.

Now where's our Ann today?

Evening all

Feeling a little under the weather with a sore throat and headache, I've not long woken up after 5 hours of sleep I must of needed it as I slept from 1pm to 6pm and I still feel tired, so I will be having an early night.

Yes, I was thinking of batch cooking, I'm used to making lots of food as Sandra was quite a big eater so if I make the same amount that should last me a while as I only have small portions so each batch should make around 5 meals for me. OH doesn't like most of what I like, so I'll be the only one eating the mince dishes.

Just been watching the news and they are bringing more people to our local hospital off the cruse ship this time, hopefully it'll go as smoothly as last time, no one then had the virus.

Nice to see you on here Jane, thank you for your lovely card it arrived this morning. I cried before I even read it, but don't worry I've been crying a lot lately. I thought the card was lovely thank you. When do you get your CT results? I really hope it's good news, I've been thinking of you a lot lately and hoping things are going well for you and that you're not to ill with all your treatment. How much more treatment do you have left to do? Sorry for asking, I can't seem to remember much lately.

I've finally found the big DIY book, I'd put it in the bottom of a plastic box under my bed. So now I have something to read when OH starts his new job next week.

It's very windy here at the moment, I'll be glad when the nice weather arrives. Our poor Red Robins have almost no leaves on them now and they were very expensive to. With everything that's happened lately I forgot to buy something to clear what ever is wrong with them and now I think it's to late. The garden is full of leaves which I'm constantly picking up and throwing away, I can't leave them or they'll end up in the grid, then the rain water won't be able to go down it. So it looks as if I'm going to have plenty of clearing up to do once the spring arrives. I've also noticed lots of our bulbs have started growing. I put them in a sheltered spot behind the tall conifers in our little secret area of the garden which I'd like to move into the main garden when the weather is less windy and cold. I even have one Tulip that's flowered. I didn't think they flowered this early in the year, so it was nice to see.

Hope all goes well on Tuesday and Wednesday AnnG, try not to worry it'll soon be over. I'll be thinking of you.

How annoying to lose a long post Frank, have you tried using the back button? I try that and sometimes the post is there.

Lots of ideas to whiten your towels Vera, if all else fails you could always bleach them in the bath then put them on a hot wash to get rid of the smell. I hope your back starts to feel better soon, it must be getting you down now, maybe you could see the doctor you might need some physio, you can't go on like this much longer. Rest up and take it easy for a few days.

I've got the news on and there are more weather warnings around, I feel so sorry for anyone who has been flooded and hope the rain stops soon for them all.

They've also said on the news that 1st class stamps are going up to 76p and second class 65p, it's starting to be quite expensive now, so I may start buying 2nd class stamps from now on.

Going to get a painkiller for my headache, at least I haven't had anymore migraines for a while so that's good. The tablets I'm on are suppose to stop migraines and I think they're working.