General Chat

Daughter thinks that is probably true about the insurance. But she also says the type of key pad we have has a solid box, she thinks it would be too much trouble to try and get into it and easier to try somewhere else. So I shall leave mine where it is.

flowers do cheer you up when they are out of season. And the bees have been loving those clematis flowers. I also saw a butterfly. I think it was a red admiral but it just flew past the window.

I think these days nothing deters a determined burglar, they wouldn't stop to get the key box off the wall then find something to smash it open, they would just smash through a door or window. But I will check out the insurance angle.

I managed an hour out in the garden this morning but it was very damp despite the sun. It must have been a heavy dew. I managed to weed all the pots, especially the ones at the end of the garden that tend to be out of sight out of mind. I also cut down a lot of ivy My fuchsias are not flowering now as they have had their 'hair cut trim so that they don't rock in the bad weather. They will get cut right down in the spring next year. I suspect the grass could take another cut but it was too wet. I checked the hedge hog house and I am pretty certain there is a small one in there. Cynth and I saw a small one the other day in her harden.

Indoors I emptied the airing cupboard, wrote a couple of emails re U3a and wrapped up one Grandson's Christmas presents.
Trouble is my legs and particularly my ankles are very tired after all the walking round the theatre and up and down all the stairs too.

Afternoon All,

Sun's gone in and it's cloudy here now and 12 degrees.

Your flowers look lovely AnnG and seasons seem to have shifted these days. I was amazed to see blooms on our bottle brush the other day and the fuschias are all still looking good as are some violas. I loved Will and Nancy's Waltz too.

I just looked into the keysafes as they seem like a good idea and there are ones on the lodges where we go on holiday. Police suggest when buying a key safe you should make sure it has the 'Secured by Design' approval and logo and all sorts of advice about where it is placed. The one thing that hadn't crossed my mind was that you need to check with your insurance company, as a burglar using a key from one by the code or smashing it off the wall may not constitute a forced entry and so may invalidate your home insurance.

I had half a mind to go to Aldi this morning as they have had some more of their recommended air fryers in, but someone testing these things the other day on tv pointed out that although they cost half to cook a meal, if you can't cook enough at once and need to then cook the rest it is no cheaper, so now I wonder what is the best size to get. Lidl have a bigger one with 2 drawers which might be better, but may take up too much room on the worktops. :-S

Better get my paints out now. There is a painting exhibition not far away that I used to go to, but it is in 2 tiny rooms at an old village school and may be very crowded and be impossible to have any space from people so I'm giving it a miss this time.

If i remember correctly from what she said (and no doubt it is not absolutely right with relying on my memory!! There were only two or three theatres designed by Frank Matcham another of which is Bristol hippodrome which is definitely in the same style as I have seen that one and I have a feeling she said Drury Lane. I wish I had had more time to take photos and had taken my camera with me but I didn't think photos were allowed. The only things we were not allowed to photograph were the items on the stage ready for the production on later. All round the interior in the actual seating areas is very ornate with a huge arch around the stage that looks like marble but is some sort of material from Italy and that has actually been in place since the 18th century.

Yes the flowers are surprising I have osteospernum coming into flower again. I am sure they will sort themselves out.

Thank you for the flower pictures AnnG. They are lovely. It's amazing how much is either still in bloom from the summer or is coming into bloom a bit early for the winter. It does seem to have been a topsy-turvey year in the garden and I suppose we now have to expect more years like that.

The theatre is quite ornate isn't it. I love to see those sorts of places.

Morning all,

Bright sunny morning here and now its 15 degrees with plenty of the yellow stuff.

When I went to get out of bed this morning I got cramp in my right calf and could'nt move for a few mins. Now I shall have that horrid ache all day.

Nothing planned for today and yesterday afternoon I did the pond filter and got some water out ofthe well to replace the water I had drained out so that was good but it seemed murkier once I had done it so perhaps the well water was a bit muddy????? Have fished lots of leaves out this morning and its time to feed them now.

May clean the bantam out and the big girls today if its not too windy and I must ring Di and see if she can pick up this stuff I have for her.

Good morning Vera and all a nice bright morning here and 10 degrees. Hoping to get out into the garden to do a few tidy up bits. I did take some photos yesterday of the garden so I will send some round.

Yes it was a hard time yesterday Vera. I suppose these days will continue to be difficult as the years progress although they hopefully will ease a bit. Daughter says she still has hard days of her late husband's illness and death and these next two months are hard for her even though she is happily married again.

It wasn't helped by the Festival of remembrance which we always, always watched together. And the Royal Marines were a favourite of both T and my Dad. I thought this years Festival was really good although I didn't like the arrangement of wind beneath my wings (One of T's funeral songs).

Good morning all

It’s a misty, murky day so far but it is supposed to stay dry.

Yesterday must have been a difficult day for you AnnG and you were in my thoughts. Having a keysafe on your wall is a good idea. I wouldn’t have thought of that. My neighbour has my key for emergencies but she is out a lot so if I lost mine I could have a long wait before she came back and let me in.

I have no particular plans for today. I’ll just see what I feel like doing.

I have had a key pad put on my wall with a spare key. One with a number password lock. Just in case I lose my key when out.
Awe your poor friend she must thought it was ok when he came home.life can be cruel.

I just got upset watching strictly and Will and Nancy’s dance to three times a lady. We have danced that together many times. And they dedicated the dance to people who have lost somebody without being able to say goodbye. And next it is the festival of remembrance. I could just not watch it but that wouldn’t feel right. Hey ho soon be tomorrow.

Sad isn't it AnnG. A friend of mine thought it would be the same for her, but her OH did come home again for a few weeks, then he died suddenly at home. I saw the online video of the funeral and it was sad to see her sitting on her own well away from just a handful of others. Your trip out and talk today sounded very interesting. I did smile when you said it had saved you some washing up too!

I bet you are so glad to get your phone back Vera and that you weren't charged any extra for the part. I'm not connected to the internet on mine, but still feel a bit vulnerable without it. You have been busy bulb planting and what a lot you have! Your garden is going to look so good next spring.

That was a good idea to do the stall then Mel and sell some things. It's a good idea to do the other stalls too. Did you manage to sell the laser printer after the people thought about it not long ago? I would have thought people would snap your hand off for one of those.

My key wasn't in the other places I checked and I'm pretty sure I didn't take it out of my pocket till I was in the car, but I don't trust my memory these days, so I might have dropped it in the car park. I usually have my hands full with my camera and change out of my muddy trainers before I set off so may have dropped it. I'll check the car boot tomorrow! I found another spare one I used today and OH told me to take the spares for the back gate and back door with me when I went out too! Perhaps he thought I am going on a losing spree now!! I'll still get another spare for the front door though in case we need it for a neighbour any time.

Well done Mel. It sounds as though you had a good day.

That really sounds an interesting trip AnnG. I would have loved it. I did go on a group tour of the Georgian Theatre Royal at Bury St Edmunds some years ago and that was very interesting too.

It's good to hear what you have been up to recently Ann and I am glad OH is recovering. I hope you find your key soon.

Gosh Mandy, you did come a cropper when you fell. There are so many rough bits of path and uneven paving stones now. We walked through town after dark the other evening and, although the town centre is quite well lit, I was treading very carefully as I could see how easy it would be to trip. It's good that you are getting on with some knitting now. Just make sure you stop as soon as you feel any aches in your wrist; you don't want to set things back again.

I did a couple of jobs this morning and after lunch went back to my bulb planting. I didn't count the bulbs but I reckon I have now planted about 150 in small pots and a couple of troughs, mostly mini tulips with a few Muscari and a few Squill. I've got some daffs and normal size tulips left to do but I am getting there.

I only have a slight cough now but I am still battling this tiredness which makes me just want to flop about. I have to make myself do things like bulb planting but I do feel very satisfied when I manage to get something done.

I now have a working phone at last. OH picked it up yesterday afternoon and the chap didn't charge us anything extra, but included the connector he had to get and fit in the price of the new battery we had already paid for.

It's an easy meal tonight, based on egg and bacon, and OH is cooking so I am now going to look again at a couple of dead ends on my tree.

Two years ago that I saw T for the last time as he was taken to the ambulance. Hard to imagine how people were incarcerated in hospital with no visitors until they died.

You did very well Mel. And more important you had a nice day socialising with people. And now have an appetite for more stalls. Well done.

Here I am back from the big breakfast and had a coffee and when I went ot get my car to load the things up BIL drove the mower up the road towards me. I thought he was'nt coming this weekend but had left the back door open incase he turned up.

Very slow to start with but by the end of the breakfast I sold quite a few things. Met some nice people and one of them (an accountant) does wood turning and may be interested in some of the wood blanks I have and the chisels he has two lathes and his wife may be interested in the dust extractor which I bought oh when he did the turning. Took just over £100 most of his things but a couple of my bits too. So still plenty to sell and have found that a village near us is having a Christmas fair and stalls are £5 so I may do that one too and then theres the primary school having their Christmas fair in the local school where I have been before so I may do that one as well.

I had a breakfast up there this morning and bought two tickets on the raffle and won a photo album that takes 200 photos. What I shall do with that I done know but it can always go back as a raffle prize for something else.

Must go and do the pond filters now.

Sorry you have lost your key Ann and I hope you find it.

Good afternoon all. Just back from Cheltenham. We had a very interesting talk and tour of the Everyman theatre.
. (The Grade II listed building was designed by Frank Matcham and was originally called "The New Theatre and Opera House".[1] It was opened on 1 October 1891 with a performance by Lilly Langtry in 'Lady Clancarty'.[2][3] When it was first built, the theatre seated around 1500 people on bench seating) The talk was in the actual theatre where all the beautiful decorations, paintings etc were explained, then we gradually walked around the theatre visiting the stage, then behind the stage, dressing room, green room and up above the stage (very high) where we were shown how different lights are operated and different scenery 'flats' are lowered and raised. we were there over an hour and a half and time just flew. We then had lunch in the theatre restaurant. There were four of us in our group but about 20 all together.We again used the Park and ride which worked well. I was picked up at 0900 and dropped home at 2pm. The theatre has actually had two refurbishes since it was built. The latest in 2011.

No Mandy I don't expect him to answer his email over the weekend and won't phone him then as he doesn't work weekends. Anyway not much washing up today as I had lunch out.

Ann hope you can find your key. Could you have dropped it getting into or out of the car.

How did the day go Mel?

Morning All,

It's sunny and 14 degrees here now, so Mel should have a good day to attract people to come out and buy. :-)

AnnG and Mandy, I'm having another search for the key in my car and coat soon when I nip out to get the paper. I haven't checked down the back of the passenger seat or in my coat hems so they were good suggestions. I'm glad I'm not thinking of selling the car knowing the front door key might be in it somewhere!

Mandy that road sounds awful and an accident waiting to happen. You poor thing sitting there with people piling off the bus around you and having to wait so long in pain too. It was lucky you didn't bang your head as you say. It's good you can have a break from the splints at times, but I expect they give added protection, especially while you are out, till your wrists are stronger. It's great you are able to do some knitting and are doing the mouse now. I look forward to seeing it once you have finished it and bet it will be lovely! :-) OH is off to a local match shortly, so he hasn't hurt himself too much!!

I must nip to the shop now and then it will be back to painting I think while the light is good. I also need to pay my road tax online when I get back . This year has sped by and I couldn't believe it was due already!

Morning all,

Very dull and it looks as if we've had a little rain ver night as the ground is a bit damp.

Mel I hope you have a good day and sell lots of things ,it's good it's nice and sunny it will bring the people out .

Ann I hope the key have turned up ,have you checked your pockets haven't got a seam that's opened up and ths key has got in the lining of the jacket .
I hope OH hasn't hurt himself either getting in and out the car he doesn't want to set himself back .

Anng have you heard from your dishwasher man yet I hope he let's you know if he can do it so you know what your doing or you could be finding someone else .

Not a lot happening here I might do a bit more knitting, I'm now doing the Mouse and getting on quire well, with it as its nice and light to do .

Ann you asked how long the splints are on for ,I go to the hospital on Monday afternoon so should know a bit more then ,I have taken them off when I sit but I'm a bit weary on walking about without them on and my wrists do twinge still when I turn them a certain way.
I did walk up town to the bank yesterday and I had a look at the road where I fell ,it's so rough there it's where the bus pulls in and it's really all pot holes as the road is that stony stuff not tarmac .
My ankle twisted on the rough bit and then I was stumbling and down I went onto the path someone sat me up and there I sat on the path as the bus pulled in and all the people got off the bus trying not to step on me ,I was so lucky I didn't crack my head open and only scraped my face ,I kept asking if my head was bleeding as I could feel the blood on my face .

Morning all,

Nice sunny morning so far today. 11 degrees and pc says sunny so lets hope so.

Can't stop as I have to do the girls and it all kicks off at 9 am.

Ann I could guarantee every time T lost car or door keys they were down between the two front seats somehow, never found when he looked then I would find them. you need to search the car in the light.

Yes Good Luck for tomorrow Mel. I remember and can picture the village hall, at least the outside. I hope you do well. People won't find what you have made elsewhere as they are unique.

Well I shan't do the walk at that time of day again. The little carpark was jammed with cars and children on little scooters and bikes were pedalling around the carpark as if it was a playground, totally unsafe with all the cars toing and froing. Children and parents all shouting and then a car alarm kept going off. It was bedlam and I realised parents were using the carpark to park, then walk to collect their children from the primary school about a hundred yards away. When I was back near the entrance after the walk,several children were climbing all over one of the fibreglass foxes that are around the area. The council ran a competition to do a paint design for them and then chose the best designs to be painted and placed around the area to advertise places of interest. They aren't going to last long being treated like that though.

Now I seem to have lost a front door key since I got home and had fished it out of a zipped pocket while sitting in the car to come home. I checked every pocket, my handbag and camera case to no avail. It couldn't be anywhere other than the car so OH came out with a torch and decided to struggle into the back seats of my 2 door coupe. He checked under the seats but it wasn't there, but oh dear when he tried to get out of the car again he wished he hadn't got in!! It's so awkward that however he tried caused him pain and it took him ages with lots of ooohs and ahhhhs. I also discovered he'd been up in the loft to get something while I was out too which wasn't a good idea. He really mustn't do these things yet, he thinks things have healed more than they have and will do himself a mischief. I've told him Nurse Gladys has put the outfit away now!!