General Chat

Morning all ,

Minus 3 here and very frosty but we do have brilliant sunshine and blue sky ,we're off outside to give the Christmas tree the chop so we can put the bits in tubs and take to the tip some time .

Coat on then Ann while you box up your decorations ,they always seem to go away quicker than when your taking them out and putting them up .

Vera perhaps you do need some iron tablets if your so tired ,you'll have to have more greens and some Liver yuk , or spinach like Popeye lol.

I have a huge pile of ironing that keeps giving me the eye so after doing the tree it will warm me up doing a bit of ironing and getting it away.

Anng I should think it would feel strange in a single bed ,hope your weather improves a bit for you are you off out today and when do you travel home .

Morning All,

A good frost this morning and 1 degree here now. When I went out with some food for the birds I noticed that it looks like the mice are chewing away the mortar in another spot near where they were getting in the wall before. The buider didn't mix the mortar properly at the base of the walls and it is quite soft. We had it repointed around the bottom but they have scratched the gravel away to get at the mortar below. Another steel wool pad is needed I think.

That's good you had a better sleep Mel. I hate the narrow beds in hospital so sympathise with the single bed. I was looking at those chicken in a bag before my last order and wondered if they were ok. You will guess that I might try one next time now! :-)

Sorry you are so tired Vera. I think pain can make you feel tired as you tense your muscles. We have perked up a bit since getting back to our more usual diet.

Better go and wrap the decs to go in the boxes. I wish OH hadn't put them in the conservatory now as it's freezing in there.

Good morning all. Back to wet and windy here now so probably not going out today. Slept quite well last night, good to not be in a single bed.

Vera have you had blood tests recently? I am wondering if you need iron as you are so tired.

Good morning

It’s quite bright outside but -2 and very frosty. I don’t think I’ll be putting my nose outside the door today. I slept quite well last night but still feel sooo tired. Goodness knows what’s wrong with me. Maybe it’s just old age galloping up. Well, it can just gallop away again as far as I am concerned. I’m not ready to be an old lady yet ;-)

Have a good day whatever you are doing.

It's 1 degree out there now but as still as a mill pond.

Cooked roast chicken from Asda in a bag and it was really tasty with roast spuds spouts carrots and parsnips. I think I like roast chicken more than turkey and there's still loads for tomorrow for a dinner with chips and enough for a sandwich at lunchtime.

I was late sending my post and missed yours AnnG. That sounded like a lovely ride back to your daughter's. I know what you mean about looking at the things you know you couldn't do now. I do that in Wales when I see Snowdon which I went up once.

Vera I'm glad you mentioned ordering the tests online. I have just ordered a pack too. What a nuisance having to get a new tyre but better it happen when you are near home than when you are miles away. Your OH is good to keep helping your elderly aquaintance. It sounds as if he is just about sorted now and has his heating coming on at the right times. It must all have been such a worry for him. I'm sure I watched a series of Wainwright's walks on tv a while ago. The books will be a lovely interest and keepsake for your son.

OH had a panic when he switched his PC on today as it said it was 'mending' the C Drive and it would take over 2 hours! I'm hoping it means he will hurry up and get his new laptop set up. I keep asking when he wants me to help, but it's always tomorrow. Today he ended up out in the dark taping a cover over the outside pipe to a tap. I asked him to do it at soon as I heard the cold weather was coming and reminded him yesterday and today, but he's in work mode again now and what I say goes over his head! :-(

Coo its been cokld out there today even though the sun has shone all day. Its so lkow in the sky.

Glad your home safe and sound Anng and it sounds like you have had a lovely time.

I’m very jealous AnnG. It’s a good many years since we went to the Lakes but I have many happy memories of the area. We spent most time in the North Lakes area and I think it was climbing there with my brother when he was a small boy that started my son’s love of mountain climbing. I have here my brother’s Wainwright books to pass on to my son . When my brother died and son was asked if there was anything of his uncle’s that he wanted, that was what he asked for. They brought back memories of looking at the Lakeland walks and photos with my brother.

OH had a text soon after 9 this morning to say an engineer was calling on our elderly acquaintance between 9,30 and 10 am to sort out his electrical problems and fit a smart meter so OH donned his mask and went round there. I don’t think anything has been done in that house for about 50 years so the engineer couldn’t sort everything as he wanted but he did the best he could for the old boy. Then our friend told OH that the vicar had called and while there had programmed the central heating for him, but it wasn’t working. When OH looked he found the vicar must have programmed it in the morning and not noticed the little pm showing on the clock, so everything was 12 hours out. Our friend had tried to put it right by pressing every button in sight and made it 10 times worse. So OH had to start from scratch and set the whole thing up again. He was gone 3 hours.

While OH was gone I managed to almost sort out the tree so when he came back he only had to take off the lights, the star at the top and 3 or 4 small ornaments that were up high. I also packed everything away and took down all the cards and a few decorations that I had on shelves so Christmas feels over now.

I bet you are pleased to have your hair cut Mandy. Mine feels as though it needs doing again though I only had it cut a couple of weeks ago. Yes, it was me looking for tests and there are still none available locally but I managed to order some online. I ordered one pack on Sunday and they came in today’s post and I ordered another one today that will probably come on Saturday..

We’ve had a bit of sun today but It’s very cold still and might get down to -5 tonight. Brrrr. Keep warm everyone

Afternoon All,

Up late again but a good sleep and it's quite chilly today, but will be colder tonight. OH has done the locks round the back and taken down the decs, but they are not boxed up yet. I expect I'll be doing the breakable ones tomorrow. He has taken out all the batteries though and will put the boxes away over a couple of days so as not to aggravate his hernia. It doesn't look as bare as usual as we didn't put up as many decs this year, but the duster needs to come out soon! :-0

Oh that's a bit of a worry, but the sort of thing I worry OH might do without thinking Vera, but he does sanitise before leaving the house. Hopefully your OH will be ok, but it's so widespread now, anyone you see might be in the early stages of it. We will be picking up our scripts this week and see if we can get any tests. I think we still have 12 left though, but OH may need to do them when his meetings are face to face. The trouble is you can't really believe what others do with their test to ensure their freedom to go anywhere. Some with covid are apparently putting water on the test to give a negative result so they can get into events. I hope your back improves today.

I have started going through my wardrobe and have already half filled a big bag for the charity shop with tops and shoes. It is tiring lifting things in and out so I finished for today by dusting and hoovering the bedroom and ensuite.

I bet the Labs were lovely Mandy and wanting some fuss! I expect they could smell Max too. I'm wondering if I'll get the next WW as no magazines were available of the last order. I think I will subscribe though as it's cheaper that way.

Good afternoon.. just sitting down with a cup of tea after unpacking yet again. We got here about 1245 although we had a long break in Ambleside on the way. We stopped for coffee and bacon rolls. Then had a look round three of the bigger shops and I got myself a top in the sale (Weird Fish)

It is another glorious sunny day, beautiful but cold with a strong cold breeze. The views coming from Ambleside via Grasmere, Thirlmere and Keswick were awesome with snow on the high mountains quite thick and gleaming in the sun. And the lower fells and crags dusted with light snow. Some of the views make me aware of my age as, coming past Grasmere I could see the Lion and Lamb which T and I climbed up to twice. Once on our own and once with Lyn and Jon and I realise that no way could I do that now. And that also applied to Coniston Old Man and Haystacks another two, among others that we went up in the past. Those were the days.

I was sad to leave the South Lakes behind. They do hold such a special place in my heart as they did in T’s, we had wonderful times there for thirty years. However the West and North lakes are beautiful too and I am slowly making good memories of this area.

Afternoon all,

Sunshine here after a very frosty start, we nipped out for dog food from Mole Valley and I got a lovely black labrador calendar from there that was reduced to just over three pound , we then filled up with petrol and went and got eggs from the farm and the 4 dogs were out there, red labs one was very young and I think he or she was with her mum ,oh they were lovely and I made a real fuss of them but when I got home Max could smell them so I had to have a good sniff all over from him :-D

We got hair cuts this afternoon we should have had them just before Christmas but I rang and cancelled because of my cold.

How did you sleep last night in the spare bed Mel ,it will be nice to have the new mattress .

Anng lovely photos thank you what a view from the windows ,I expect your back at your daughters now.

Vera I hope your OH can keep clear of covid ,did you manage to get some more tests ,I think it was you that was looking for them .
When I went into boots this morning for our tablets they had a sign saying no tests try again tomorrow and that was just after nine when I went .

I was only thinking the other day Ann that we don't have the sellers at the door anymore and you've just had one ,you wouldn't think they would be going round knocking on doors with covid about but I suppose if its a charity they need to get money in any way they can.
Oh Ann wait till you see teddies outfit in the WW it fits a 14 inch Ted it is sweet .

Morning Vera and all,

We have sunshine again this morning but its only 5 degrees out there.

I too have to take the tree down it just has to be scrunched up and put back in its bag and box ready for next year. Everything else is down but not all put away in its boxes after the day we had yesterday with the mattress.

Morning all

It’s cold and frosty this morning. I had a restless night, got up at 8 am, made a cup of tea and brought it back to bed but it’s time I was up now. OH has tested this morning and all good so far.

I’ve got a bit of ironing to do if I can stand for long enough and we’ll dismantle the tree and get the cards down . Other than that I have no plans for the day.

We,ve just had hailstones and its mighty cold out there.

Mattresses are heavy old things to hump about Mel. I hope you and OH aren’t aching now. Sleep well in your spare room tonight. Would you believe I am using a lime and mint shower gel at the moment? I like it but I don’t think the smell would suit everyone.

I hope you’ve got your packing done AnnG. Have a safe journey back to your daughter’s tomorrow.

I had a rough night last night and felt rotten this morning but I have gradually improved during the day so feel a bit more optimistic tonight. OH managed to acquire a puncture in a rear wheel and so had to get a new tyre fitted. MORE EXPENSE as Frank would say. That’s the second one in a few months.

Our next door neighbour came home from hospital yesterday. He’s tested negative today and if he is negative again tomorrow he can stop isolating. Another couple in the Close apparently both have Covid as well. We haven’t really seen anything of them for a while. Then tonight we had a phone call from next door. The couple over the back from us had asked next door to contact us as they didn’t have our phone number. They have both gone down with it and OH was talking with them a couple of days ago so they thought he should know. They moved in a while ago but we hadn’t really met them. When OH was walking past their house the other day they were in the front garden so he stopped to chat. They were a good 2 metres apart and in the open air but as OH said goodbye the chap held out his hand and OH automatically shook hands with him. The contact was brief but OH is going to test daily for a week to be on the safe side. Provided he tests negative each day he can go out as he is fully jabbed but he’ll stay home and not mix with anyone until we’re sure.

We will have to take our tree and cards down tomorrow. The room always looks so bare for a couple of days when the decorations come down.

I shall be off to bed with my book shortly. I think it’s going to be a cold night and I expect we’ll wake up to a frost tomorrow. Stay warm and sleep well folks.

Afternoon All,

Another good sleep, but we were up late again. After our shower OH went out to drop off our prescriptions at the surgery while I put our salmon fishcakes in the oven, boiled some eggs and did salad to go with it. I went out to oil my car locks and the front door lock after and it felt freezing cold (3 degrees now), so I'm glad to get that done before any bad frost freezes them. The bin men collected rubbish and recycling today and took the cardboard we left propped against the bin. A new rule is that we have to cut cardboard up small enough to go in the bin but can leave it at the side of the bin.

OH spotted Mrs O rubbing furiously at her inside windows again today and also outside picking pine needles up off her drive earlier. We noticed the new house number and name with an apostrophe where there shouldn't be one has been replaced with just the number now. I think someone like family visiting may have pointed out the wrong apostrophe!

I sympathise Mel as those new mattresses are heavy to lug about aren't they. It sounds like it was rolled up too? It will be nice to have a new mattress though. I have rapeseed oil and the lime and mint sounds ok to me too! I know you have trouble with some scents though so can see you might not like it.

So it's your last day there then AnnG, but it was nice to have a walk and ride on the ferry. I like to get everything possible packed the night before leaving a place.

We had one of those sellers from an organisation that helps them come with his bag of goods like dusters etc this afternoon. OH answered the door, but the young man was shouting with no mask on and leaning towards him, so he quickly sent him on his way with a no thank you. I used to feel sorry and buy something in the past but the goods were really poor quality and I ended up throwing things away so I don't buy now.

We want to watch Call The Midwife tonight, but OH has a last minute meeting on zoom at 6.00pm so it may be we watch it another time. He has 2 more zoom meetings tomorrow now as well.

Everything happened this mroning and Iv'e still not done the wipe down completely yet.

First off our new mattress arrived so oh got it in and got it to the bedroom after a lot of huffing and puffing. We had the old mattress off the bed and he decided to hoover all under the bed. He had the bed on its side when I looked in. Meanwhile the delivery arrived and I started to wipe it down but then oh wanted the dusting brush to Henry which we did'nt have so out came the other hoover which had got one.

Went back to the wipe down and then he wanted me to go and see the matress come out of the plastic. More huffing and puffing and me getting in his way as usual and we managed to get the heavy box out of the way. All this time the old mattress is standing up against the rad. There were two layers of polythene on the rolled up thing with a tool to cut it off on the outside. Did this and its been making strange noises ever since but it is straightening out.

I did some soup for lunch as by this time it was quite late and my tum was rumbling so his must have been too. well we had that and now I still have a lot to wipe down and put away.

I think we will be sleeping inthe spare room tonight as you are supposed to leave this new one for 72 hours. All the bedding off the bed was chuc int he bath waiting to be washed and I had one lot of washing in the machine. Thats still in there so it never got to see the sun at all and now thats gone too.

Ooh I think lime and mint might be nice, but I know you don’t like some smells.

Brilliant sun here and it is a really beautiful day.mee took the car across on the ferry and drove to Grange over Sands, a favourite place of daughter and her late husband and T and myself. Lots of people out walking, mainly locals I think with children on new scooters and bikes along the long promenade. It was sharp but no wind so not too cold. Daughter and SiL walked a bit further than I did as I found a seat in the sun and had a lovely fifteen minutes sitting looking out at thelm sea and people watching while taking photos.

Came back to Sawrey Knotts fir lunch and to pack.

Morning Anng and all,

We have sunshine at the moment but how long will it last?

i HAVE ABOUT 5 SUBS TODAY AND TWO ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. oNE IS RAPESEED OIL INSTEAD OF SUNFLOWER OIL AND THE OTHER IS (sorry I hit the cap lock) dettol antibac spray lime and mint. That osunds dreadful to me. If it was just lime it would'nt be so bad.

Good morning from frosty Cumbria. Lovely pale blue sky no cloud in sight sun rising at the moment and Windermere (the lake) in the distance looks serene. I am the only one up having a peaceful cup of tea. It would make a lovely photo from this window if it were not for the telephone wires across in front of us.