General Chat

Afternoon All,

One short spell of drizzle this morning but dry and sunny otherwise. OH noticed on his walk that hey have started digging where the big warehouses will be. More wildlife will be homeless as we get joined up to the city here. :-(

AnnG what glorious colours in your tree photos. They made me want to fill the garden with those trees, but of course the beauty doesn't last long! Yes I did manage to have a coffee yesterday, but the cafe had all changed too, even the entrance had been moved and it is waitress service now. You can't make up your own breakfast now so I had scrambled egg on toast. Yes I was tired by the time I got home yesterday and my clutch leg knee was achey by then and I slept like a log last night.

Mel it sounds like you are having a change and making pottery instead of food platters for your miniatures just now. Amazing that the lost cow creamer turned up! I wonder if you will make christmassy things soon like Turkeys and pork pies?

Vera I think you are still ahead of me in the garden and your OH is good with all he manages to get done. Mine had a painful back today. His friend wouldn't let him lift boxes yesterday, but I think OH was bending up and down a lot as well. Apart from collecting his meds and getting lunch we've only done admin stuff today. Our trip to the tip tomorrow has been postponed till we've changed the pillows and mattress protectors.

Mandy the weather forecast here for tomorrow looks the same with it raining all day. Still there's always some HW needing to be done and paperwork and it's time I went through the food cupboards.

Mel not sure you first line makes sense.

The reds are amazing would Vita have loved to see it now?

Still having trouble with my email log in. I really need a new pc.

Clouded over here now and its trying to rain.

You'll never guess what!! Yesterday I cast another tiny cow creamer so today I drilled it out and when I went to put it on the plate with other things that need painting there in front of me was the one I lost last week. I could'nt believe my eyes and had to look to see if the broken one was still there and it was. Now I had looked and looked all round that plate as there's things piled on it and it was right on the edge. I did ask the fairies if they had borrowed it and if so could I have it back please and they must have brought it back.

Mandy we are forcast high wind and rain tomorrow but todya is a beautiful day for the time of year. Sunshine and now its 13 degrees.

Annx you asked what I was making yesterday. I painted two cow creamers and a Clarice Cliff style vase.

Morning all,

Lovely bright morning here and looking out the kitchen window when I got up the sky was so pretty all the wispy clouds looked all zig ziggy wish I had taken a photo now.
I didn't read the posts until late yesterday and I was to tired to post by then ,got lots of jobs done yesterday I cleaned all the shelves in the oven so that was a good job done ,we also walked up and got our tablets .

Vera lovely to see the little dogs ,looks like they are settling really well into their new home and I love the names .

Ann how lucky was that finding the duvet set after all that time and even better was it was in the sale .

Anng sounds as if you enjoyed your trip to Hidcote and picked a good dry day to go , if your in for the rain tomorrow like us it will soon fill your new water butt .

We're off to get the shopping today as we're forecast heavy rain and wind tomorrow ,we never lit the fire yesterday as it seemed quite warm and I slept better last night ,the night before I was quite hot in bed .

Morning Anng and all,

Its 7 degrees here and I have a moderate wind warning. I think thye said onCountry File at the weekend that it would be windy on Thursday.

Nothing planned for today but still not gone for my siesel so I may do that when I'm dressed.

I didn't see the latest posts on here brfore I went to bed so Vera Mel has answered my 'query' re the blanks in the photos, also the sexes of the dogs (I tend to not think of looking for any 'bits' Mel.
Vera your OH does like to keep working and best to encourage that and let him do the things he enjoys doing. I am sure, if you don't finish what you want to do in the garden it will be fine next spring.

Ann thatw as a long drive, I bet you were tired last night. And what a bargain after all the years since you bought the first set. Nice to have a good shop and I am sure that you managed a coffe somwhere.

And, good morning all sort of semi bright this morning and cold feeling at 8 degrees. Yesterday afternoon it was a beauriful day with blue skies and sun. and we were really lucky with the weather at Hidcote.

The little dog with the white flash on his head is Benji as you can see his little tassle underneath him. He also looks like a dog and the other one looks like a little girl. He is guarding her as the sit together by the doors. Yes the untitled ones were the ones that were blank so you have fathomed that out for us Vera.

That was a long drive Annx to the outlet but good that you managed to find a matching duvet cover and a few other bits. Your OH will be pleased to have got another task out of the way with the help of his friend.

It sounds as though you had an enjoyable visit to Hidcote AnnG even if you didn't see as much as you would have liked.

I can believe it would take a long while to paint the tiny pieces you make Mel. It must be quite fiddly painting something so small and you must have very dexterous fingers. I always admire all you ladies who are good with your hands as I am so cack-handed.

I managed to get in the garden for about an hour and a half this afternoon but then my back said that's enough. I am beginning to see a bit of a difference at last though there is still plenty to do out there. I am only hoping I can get it winter ready before the first frosts start. OH, bless him, is working hard outside but he's doing "hard landscaping" type jobs that could be done any time. I could do with a bit of help with the jobs that need doing now but I haven't said anything to him. Not many men his age would manage to work as hard or do as much so I'm grateful for that.

AnnG and Mel - can you actually see 2 photos and 1 video of the dogs? Are the bits you said are blank marked "Untitled Attachment"? If so, you can ignore them. They will be blank. I think it's something to do with forwarding an email that already has attachments. I often get them on emails that have been sent to my sister in law and that she has forwarded to me. I agree that the dog with the white patches looks more like the female but I think that one is Benjy. I will have to check with daughter. She bought them different coloured collars but the collars seem to be hidden in all that fur so I can't see them.

Time to close the computer now and say goodnight. Sleep well, sweet dreams.

Evening All,

I was up really early to be on my way to Boundary Mill Outlet at Grantham before it got busy so I could park near the doors and need to walk less. I hadn't driven there myself (45 miles) for about seven years!! It's part motorway and busy A1 with a nice trip across the Vale of Belvoir with Belvoir Castle in the distance. I had a lucky find there, as before the pandemic I bought 2 duvet cover sets and matching curtains for when the second bedroom was finished a couple of years ago. Sadly when I opened the second set to use, the wrong duvet cover was in it!! I never expected to be able to find another as I thought being in a sale they were discontinued. Well what should I see but the very same one, (also in a sale) so I got it. I really wanted to try a quilted jacket on I'd seen online, but couldn't find it. I don't like how they have re-arranged things. All the coats and jackets used to be mostly in one place, but now they are all with the clothes from each label, dozens of them so scattered over the huge store the size of a big warehouse and on both floors. I did get some Christmas cards and bras, (I know a particular brand they stock fits me well) also some new hand towels for the ensuite. I broke the visit with a half hour sit in the car to rest my knees and read a magazine, also to unload what I'd already bought and then went back in to look at the shoes and men's jackets.

OH's friend had offered and arranged to call and help OH go through all the rest of the footie programmes in the garage this morning which was another reason I went out so he could park in our drive. TIt took three hours but they did a brilliant job and seperated the ones OH wants to keep (not that many). They repacked ones that had been badly damaged with damp before OH had them and his friend put those in his own boot to take to the tip for him. OH will give the rest to the club as they are of little value, but are old and may be of interest to some. Now there is just a big pile of empty cardboard boxes for us to flatten and take to the tip ourselves.

Thank you for the video and photos of the sweet little dogs Vera. They look right at home already and confident and should soon learn their names which suit them.

The trip sounded good AnnG and the trees would have been lovely just now. I look forward to seeing a few photos.

That is what I dread Mel.......not being able to find my mobile! I must admit doing paintings is fiddly too. What are you making at the moment?

You sound like you had a nice time with good company Anng.

I could see the video but also had two blank somethings.

I have been paintng miniatures today had a good go and cast a coupe too. It takes a long wile to paint the tiny things now and I really should get new glasses but have to save up a bit now after buying the car.

Stew tonight homemade with dumplings. Its turned quite chilly tonight so I may have a burst on the heating to warm the house up a bit.

It was a good trip out Hidcote is hosting a huge sculpture trail almost 300 sculptures, all for sale some at very large prices. We didn't cover the whole site today so didn't actually see all the sculptures. It did seem strange to me to not make our way round the whole garden as we would usualy do when T was alive. But what we did see was nice and it was good to be out in company, although this is nominally a very large group there were only five of us on this visit. I had a jacket potato with beans and cheese for lunch which was nice so probably just egg on toast this evening. I will send out photos when they have been downloaded. The autumn colours in the trees was lovely.

Vera thank you for the photos and video. I also seemed to have two blank photod so don't know what that was about. The little dogs are sweet is the female the one with white on the back?

What smashing names I like them and I am sure they will get to know their names now they have a loving home with your daughter.

Its been chucking it down here and just as I was all geared up to feed the chickens and wild birds I had to wait on the patio for ages till it eased off. Now I find I have left the scoop for the peanuts down by the garage. I was so disgusted with the girls I only had one egg yesterday and none this morning but yesterdays made up for just te one as its huge and must be a double yolker.

Shopping was late and I had ordered two bars of Ferro Rocker dark and they sent milk so they both went back. I am trying to get osme bits around for Christmas little pressies. I bought two lots of after eight winter fondants as BIL's wife loves peppermint creams and a box of ordinary After Eight thins. I have also bought her a grey fleecey top. I don't know what to get BIL this year but I shall keep thinking and listening to what he says and I may ring SIL and ask if there's anything he needs.

Well I better get on and get some lunch ready for 1pm.

I can't get into the emails on the pc this morning and I had a bit of trouble yesterday only to find I had 30 odd spam emails. Once I got rid of those it seemed ok. I don't know how to get into spam on the tablet but I can see my emails.

Morning ladies

Well, it's certainly a better day than yesterday when it rained heavily most of the day. At the moment it's dry with some sunshine on and off. There's a bit of a chilly breeze but I suppose it is well into autumn now so we should expect things to cool down. We've got a yellow warning for very heavy rain on Thursday.

I hope the weather is good for your visit to Hidcote AnnG. I've only been there once years ago but I remember enjoying our time there.

What a sleepless lot we are with several of you having bad nights. I hope you haven't all caught my insomnia. Strangely enough I slept well last night and woke up this morning to find a voicemail message on my phone from granddaughter in Hong Kong which was lovely. Because of the hours she is working and the 7 hour time difference we don't try and co-ordinate phone chats, we just text, so it was lovely to hear her voice.

Yesterday was a sh*t day. We had an errand to do some distance from home so lots of driving in the pouring rain and it was a complete waste of time. By the time we got back the whole morning was gone and we were both feeling grumpy. In the afternoon I did a couple of loads of washing. I hate that as I like to get my washing done as early as possible in the morning. Then I remembered it was the evening of the AGM of the smaller club we go to and I felt we ought to turn up as lots of people don't bother to go to AGMs. By then I didn't have time to prepare and cook a big dinner so our main meal of the day was a bowl of soup and some bread. I felt so tired but made myself go and quite enjoyed it when I got there. After the AGM we had our tea and biccies and then divided ourselves into just 3 tables for a bit of a quiz. I also got a box of shortbread in the raffle.

Today I've had a general tidy up and done the last of the washing for this week. I've got a couple of admin jobs I must do and then I might try to spend a short while in the garden this afternoon while it's still dry.

Mel, you asked about the names of daughter's new dogs. The male is Benjy and the female is Maggie. The RSPCA named them when they took them in at the end of June so daughter has stuck with the same names. She's not convinced they know their names but maybe they haven't been used much. Maggie seems quicker on the uptake than Benjy. I earlier emailed a couple of photos and a short video on WhatsApp on my phone to myself so I can forward them on to you ladies.

It was morning when I started this but I got called away and I see it's afternoon now. OH will shortly be getting our lunchtime snack and I am now going to ring the hairdresser and try to fix my next couple of appointments. Have a good afternoon, whatever you are doing.

Morning Anng and all,

Hope its a nice day for you to visit Hidccote and it stays dry.

Pc is saying partly sunny and 12 degrees here. It is quite bright but youcna never tell what coming along later in the day.

Not a lot planned for today but shopping is coming and then I may go to Hatherleigh.

good morning all, still quite dark here (next week this will be 25 to Seven!!

I am hoping for a dr day as being picked up at 0930, going to Hidcote garden which is about 45 minutes away from here. Just 2 of us in the car I am in not sure how many others are going. At least 4 in one other car.

It will be good to see Dick and Angel again with some new programs but 4 is not enough even with a Christmas special.

I went round to Stu's today and left my phone there. I had been looking everywhere for it and even rang it and then thought I had been at the car with Stu and not gone back inside the house so came home without it.YOu get to rely so much on these things and I don't have Stu's mobile number at home I must put it in my book.

Not done a thing today only the micro and one lot of washing and thats still in the machine.

Hope you both sleep better tonight girls I did last night so made up for a sleepless night the night before.

Missed you there Mandy and I'm glad you mentioned the Chateau programme. I saw something online the other day about them doing another series but had forgotten about it. Like you say there was no date for it. I was a bit confused as I thought I'd read at one point that they were selling the Chateau but obviously not. A Christmas one would be good with all the things Angel makes. :-D

Edit: I just looked at Escape To The Chateau Fan Club on Facebook and it mentions there will be 4 episodes and maybe a Christmas Special but no dates yet. Have a look. Dorothy and Arthur are at college now and Arthur is so tall now.