General Chat

Yes I think I mention once before about "Grandfather, grandfather, jump out of bed. We said Grandfather instead of your grandmother Vera. I shall have to show the little girl next door about these things and perhaps she'll carry them on.

Its just dropped from 20 degrees to 18 here as I have been typing. Sorry we've had a comfortable day again just right for working outside. I'll try and send some cooler air up to you lot. :-D

I still have all my agapanthus AnnG but I keep them in the back garden. They must be 20 years old now. If you don’t know argyranthemum it’s a sort of Madeira daisy and we put a couple of pots by the front door with a tallish grass in a pot. They just keep blooming till the first heavy frost. Usually I have 2 yellow ones out the front but this year I’ve got a yellow and a pinky red. Cuttings root fairly easily so you don’t have to keep buying new plants.

Mel, we always called antirrhinums bunny rabbits as well. Did you also squeeze the bottom of a convolvulus flower while saying “Grandmother, grandmother, jump out of bed”.? I wonder if modern kids still play those simple games.

At the moment we have quite a lot of bare earth in our couple of flower beds. I discovered today that OH wants to re-lay the 2 brick high little wall along them and doesn’t want to plant anything he’ll have to dig up. So we compromised and he has scattered wild flower seeds over the patches in the hope of getting a bit of colour there till he’s ready to do the bricks.

I made my garlic spray and ended up with 2 full pints. As you only dilute 2 tbsp in 5 litres of water it should last a while. Making it with all the downstairs doors and windows open means the house doesn’t smell much at all. I just hope it works.

It is very difficult trying to work out what to pack when it is 23 degrees here and 9 degrees there. :-D

It was argyranthemum by Vera's door not Agapanthus Anng.

Annx Bunny Rabbits are Antirrhinums we always called them that because if you squeeze the flowers sides it looks like a bunny rabbit with teeth showing. Its also easier to type than Antirrhinums.

I too am fogetting to copy and paste sometimes and it is so annoying is'nt it?

Well BIL came just as I was going round to the girls and also trying to mend the bird feeder the Woodpecker made a nbig hole in so the fat sticks kept falling out and it emptied in about haldf an hour. He gacve me some stainless steel wire he had given oh and I had cut round the other feeder it had destroyed and put that bit round the one I am useing. After that we had a walk through the orchard to look and see what daffs and places where the snowdrops had been to see if he could mow it all down and I said he could but not where the white bluebells are as he cut them last year too soon. I stood over them and he cut a circle round me so they are safe till next time he mows.

C & P

After all that mending the feeder and doing the girls I had missed the shop, it was 2.35pm and it closes at 2pm. So I hav'nt got my v paper either. I hope they save it for me as the new people are in the shop now.

I'm posting this before it disappears.

After all that he pumped the gun up for me.

Ice cream van had a long queue. Strange that people will still buy, paying a lot when they probably have ice cream in the freezer. I guess paying by card it doesn’t seem expensive.
Cheeky magpies Ann. Clever birds.

Afternoon All,

What a pain it is when you forget to C & P and then lose your post! I never learn!

It's 24 degrees here now, so noticeably cooler than where Vera is. We were up and at the shop before 9.00am before it got too hot and others obviously had the same idea. Sensible dog walkers were out as well before the pavements were burning hot for little paws.

That's a nuisance and not helpful you not being given any idea what the appointment for your OH is for Vera and why at Saffron Walden. Having to leave messages on answerphones seems to be the thing now, so I hope it is picked up and they phone you back on Tuesday.

When we got back I did poached eggs on toast with the last big tomato between us microwaved with pepper and garlic paste and mushrooms with the same browned in olive oil. Then I cut OH's hair for him and watered some of the plants I got yesterday. I noticed there is plenty of weeding needed from where we did it before and there's plenty more where we hadn't got round to yet. More of that nasty weed that fires it's seeds too, so I might spray that later when it's hopefully cooler. I've noticed it growing in several gardens on our side of the close, so it will probably be an ongoing battle with it now.

That's annoying when supplements go missing AnnG and I'm sure you are right about some people just taking the TV Guide out. That was good Cynth gave you one.

Mel what are bunny rabbits? I don't know how you manage to stay in the garden for hours as my back and knees won't let me. Did you just forget you were being phoned? I've never tried to set the alarm on my mobile yet, so set and keep my small alarm clock with me if I'm expecting a call or delivery. I'm more forgetful these days.

It's good you got something done moving your pots Vera. I have a feeling we may have a sackbarrow from clearing MIL's house buried somewhere in the rest of the garage to be sorted and cleared. I get what you mean about your OH getting in the way! Mine never looks behind him before he steps backwards and if he's in the kitchen doing something on the sink draining board, he stands covering the whole area so I can't get to the taps to rinse something as well.

OH noticed a pack of out of date nuts he left in the conservatory ready to put in the food waste yesterday were lying on the patio later in the day and had what looked like chew holes. I wondered rats and OH wondered Magpies? Today after lunch he heard rustling while he was watching TV and a Magpie was in the conservatory pecking at the birdfood bags in a box with our hats and gloves for the garden. It flew off, but a couple of hours later it was back and standing on the table in the conservatory. I've put the food in a carrier bag and inside the kitchen caddy we aren't needing to use yet and don't know where to keep it for now. Another was sitting on the fence, so I'm pretty sure they are the last year chicks that spent a lot of time in our garden.

The Red Kites seem to be thriving around here as we saw 6-7 on the way to the shop. Imagine the thermals lifting you to such great heights and being able to see as far as they can. I think maybe they were two families.

Vera, Cynth had forgotten to get her milk so she went back to a different shop (she said she had checked before and several papers didn't have the TV book. ayway she bought another paper for herself and has passed the TV paper on to me.

No more work today Vera you have done enough out there. I am supposed to be starting on the packing but I have no energy with the heat (23 now) so not a lot is getting done. There is always tomorrow and Monday.
Those agapanthus will be lovely by your door.

I wish it was that temperature here Ann. It’s 26 degrees and still expected to go up another degree or two. I also did an hour in the garden, smothered in sun cream and with a very unflattering hat jammed on my head. An hour was enough. I had to get our small sack barrow out to move some pots around and it was heavy work. One that is by the front door in the winter is now down the side of the house and two that were in the back with daffodils in are now by the front door with argyranthemum in. While I was doing this OH managed to plant 3 antirrhinums and get in my way ;-)

I managed to get another big duvet cover washed and that’s on the line now.

How annoying not to get your TV supplement with the DM AnnG.

What a performance your poor OH is having with the hospital Annx. How on earth would anyone less able than you two manage? I am concerned that we might be at the start of a saga after a phone call OH had yesterday. It was a man telling him that an appointment had been made for him in June at Saffron Walden. OH did get the chap’s name and phone number but that was all. We have no idea what the appointment is for and why Saffron Walden? I’ve never heard of anyone from this area going there before. OH rang back for more information but got an answering machine, he left a message but no-one has rung back. I hope someone rings on Tuesday or there is a letter in the post. OH had a brain scan about 6 months ago at our local hospital and we know it was sent on to a consultant at Addenbrookes. We think it might be about that. I suppose we will find out in due course.

I’m sitting in front of a fan while typing this and I don’t want to move but I suppose I had better go and see what’s happening about lunch. Getting our snack at lunchtime is OH’s regular job but it is so quiet that I think he might have dozed off.

18 degrees nw so not as hot as yesterday but still warm. I did an hour in the garden, finished off planting up the plants I bought but I got too hot so came in.

Aggravated now, I only get the actual daily mail on Saturdays and that is for the TV paper. Cynth picks it up with her shopping. today there is no TV paper. she said she thought the paper was lighter than usual. I can't moan as I could walk and get it myself but She knows I only have it for the TV paper. I guess people take the TV paper out.

Morning girls,

Its a bit grey here at the moment but its 16 degrees and pc says cloudy but temps to rise.

Just the usual this morning up the shop for the paper and then may do a bit in the garden and I need to water in the shed and on the patio. have veryy strong bunny rabbits come up on the patio in places I don't really want them but I hav'nt the heart to cut them off as they have flower spikes of two foot tall and will make lovely cut flowers. I think they will be yellow but I am hoping for a white one too. They are like the one in the pic Vera sent about what flower was it and said its too woody for an antirrhinum well mine are the same.

Good morning Ann, morning all
A hot, sticky night even with a fan going. My room is the warmest in the house. It’s 19 degrees already so it may be even hotter than yesterday. OH is out for a walk and I’m just going to put another big duvet cover in the wash. Stay cool and enjoy your day.

Good morning all 15 degrees here at 0730 so it is going to be another warm one. Too hot last night so a restless night. Bed stripped and bedding in the wash. Have to start thinking about packing now I hate packing.

Yes I did to both counts. I just got lost in the garden as it was such a nice day and comfortable to work with it not being too hot. I lose track of time when I'm out there. I do a bit of this and a bit of that and then look at some thing else and talk to the girls when I give them their corn and I suddenly thought.....phone call but by the time I got in and looked I had missed it. They usually ring about 5.30 to 6pm but htis call was 4. 15pm.

O well there's always next week......... :-S

I did both pond filters today too both needed it badly now I need to have the well pump on tomorrow to top them both up.

Hope you all sleep well tonight and are not too hot.

The subject today was clouds Ann.
That is a long time to wait for an appointment and doesn’t excuse all the unanswered phone calls.

Mel do you mean you are taking the pills you were told to stop? And did you miss the Drs call?

Evening All,

Phew it's been too hot for me today and the car said 32 degrees this afternoon when I went out.

<3HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY to JAKE <3. I hope he was pleased with his personalised number plate and has probably got it fixed on his car already. :-D My word all those 1000 burgers and more to be made! I expect there will be a lot of barbeques over the next few days. I bet you are glad to have had your hair trimmed Mandy so it's a bit cooler for you in this hot weather.

I dropped OH off near the hospital this morning and there was a nurse there who checked his records and told him he'd had a text for a telephone appointment on the 4th June, (which seems poor anyway to have to wait nearly 3 weeks for advice after a reaction like his was!) He told her hadn't received a text, so she looked further into the records and agreed and said the text was supposed to have been sent, but it hadn't been!! So she then sent the text he should have had. At least he hasn't been any worse today, but was advised to keep covered up from the sun and that sweating could bring the rash back. At least he won't book anything else for the appointment time now he knows. OH feels that more and more is being unfairly pushed onto A&E with the poor service and people not getting help elsewhere. It's made him feel the lack of help and support when he needs it has made him reluctant to even try other medication they might suggest.

The yellow flowered plant was an Osteospermum Mel. It came to me in bed last night. I mentioned to OH that you weren't told to ease off the tablets gradually by your doctor and he said he was told it had to be done gradually by his doctor or there would be a massive rebound with the reflux worse than ever. I hope you managed to phone the doc. I wouldn't have ham or coffee that isn't decaf just now while you are having trouble. the salt and the nitrites in ham can make it worse. D

Oh no you don't want it wet or windy for your stay at your daughter's AnnG. It looks dry and pretty warm till the end of the month here, but of course it may vary elsewhere and change by then. What was the subject of the photography meeting?

That was good to get the big duvet cover washed and dried Vera. I just haven't ventured in the garden. It was too hot by the time we got back from the city and I called in the Co-op to get nice and cool after getting more Petunias from the village garden centre.

I have been in the garden nearly all day. I strimmed the back garden down at Prickly Bottom and then all along the front of my shed and a bit up the orchard till the battery ran out. BIL was here mowing and he did everywhere but the orchard again. Then he went off to do his tax they are trying to give im a bill of £4,000 so I forgave him for not stayin g longer. He did take the top filter out in the filter shed and cleaned that for me as I can't reach that. I can't even see in it I'm too short. If I want to see inside it I have to use the mirror on a stick thing.

Some bird has had a go at my box seedlings I spricked out and I have a few empty plugs so they will have to be refilled. I have some over.

Put more Strawberries in the little greenhouse. Seen Robby today as I had'nt seen him for three days so he must have finished feeding the first brood. They must be fending for them selves now.

Had a parcel arrive with things I have bought for the garden and for Christmas presents. went back out after lunch and totally forgot about the doc ringing me till it was too late. I had a nice walk around the garden. Lots needs cutting off the Damon trees they ahve lots of dead wood in them.

I have had another free day from indigestion because I took a capsule today and soup at lunchtime with bread did'nt upset me so I am having Egg, beans and chips tonight.

27 degrees here.OK for the meeting as the room is shaded by trees outside but the very short journey in the car was unbearable. so please I was not going far.

I shall fill up the watering cans and go and do that at 6pm.

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY JAKE

I hope Jake has a lovely day though it sounds as if he is having a busy day at work

Like you AnnG I spent over an hour in the garden this morning but had to come in by about 11 am because of the heat. I also got a king size duvet cover washed and dried and did the little bit of ironing that was waiting around. Since lunch I've done a bit of admin and a couple of little jobs Now I'm going to trawl the internet to try to find a birthday present for dil.

It's currently 26 degrees. A bit too hot for me but it seems only a few days since I was moaning that it was too cold - we're never happy, are we.

Thank you for Jakes birthday wishes ,he called in for his card and money and has just gone back to work ,he brought us a tray of sausages and said they had been so busy selling meat for BBQ's , they have sold a thousand burgers today ,one order was for 400 burgers ,he was going back to make another thousand for tomorrow.

It's so hot out now to hot to do any planting and everything will want water later .

Mel did you get through to the doctor.

Happy birthday to Jake.

I did an hour in the garden but had to come in at 11 o'clock. It is 23 degrees here and sunny.