General Chat

It just shows how strong the wind was Mel and it's quite exposed where you are. It sounds like your OH will be busy sorting the damage out. I was quite concerned about our fir tree on the front as it is really tall now. Are you going to get a little friend for your lonely bantam? They are such pretty ones you have.

Your apple and mincemeat puffs sound nice Vera. I used to make a sort of plait but with cuts across the top with mincemeat and apple years ago and I have some of that Jusrol I ought to use up, so I might make one this week. I have a granny smith I could use as well. Thanks for the idea! :-) I remember enjoying those bath cubes as a teenager and an aunt would get me Avon cream perfumes which I loved in their pretty pots. I couldn't afford much after mum took half my wages for board and there was no being ferried around by my parents so it was the bus (only 4 a day where we lived) or my bike. After paying 10 shillings a week for my pony's grazing I was left with £2 a week and had to pay dad for a gallon of petrol a week to drive his van to work out of that. A dress from C&A cost £2.99 then, but I managed till I was earning a bit more. At least it taught me to manage my money well and never get into debt.

I didn't know that surgeries no longer remove earwax and that you have to pay. It's not cheap either is it. FIL used to have his done regularly. I bet some couldn't afford it. Soon they will have to call it the 'Limited NHS' the way we are gradually having to pay for more services..

All this wind has been making the lounge colder than the rest of the bungalow today, so I've had to turn the other radiators down to save us boiling elsewhere in the bungalow. We even had a puddle inside the patio door with the wind. I have decided to get a chimney balloon to stop all the heat going up there. We very rarely have the open gas fire on anyway and you just let the balloon down to get it out again if needs be.

Oh's shelter over where he works on the mowers was all broken and the canopy has ripped to pieces this morning too so I could'nt get in the workshop for the chickens food. He had to come and move it by putting the legs up on it. It was tied to a big can of deisel the old iron sack barrow and the old garden rollerbut still it managed to do some damage to the tarmac and itself as some of the metal bars are broken.

We did have a little glimps of the sun about 3pm and then it disappeared again. The winds is still strong and extremly cold.

Pc says 6 degrees and mostly SUNNY !!!!!!! and has a little pic of the sun with one tiny cloud over it. Its certainly got that wrong.

I have been to Bourton-on-the-Water many times and the first time I went there was a little perfume shop there just over the little stream that runs through the village I bought a tiny bottle of perfume there of Lily of the Valley and I still have it. Have the still got the model village with the model village there?

That sounds a nice trip to Bourton-on-the-Water AnnG. It is a lovely place and, as Gwyn said, better to go out of the tourist season. The couple of times I have been there it's been packed with people.

Gwyn, you have reminded me that I still have my cards to Australia to send. I must get them to the post on Monday.

You've been busy Mandy. Your little trees are popular aren't they, and what a good idea of that lady to give them to the blind. I think you are right about a lot of Covid infections coming out through the schools now. I must ask my daughter what the situation is at her school which I think has about 1600 pupils. The first couple of cases of this new mutation have now been found in this country. One is in Essex where we are supposed to be at Christmas. Oh well, what will be, will be.

I hope Em and her family are not too poorly Mel. Take care yourself.

It's been a really busy couple of days and yet I don't seem to have achieved very much. I think it's been a case of doing lots of bitty jobs. Today I made some apple and mincemeat puffs but that was only because I accidentally clicked on the wrong thing when doing my last Sainsbury order and found myself with a pack of Jus-Rol puff pastry. They turned out looking OK. I also cleaned the upstairs bathrooms and disinfected and thoroughly cleaned a couple of bird feeders. There were peanuts in one and niger seeds in the other but they don't get used very much. I only quarter fill them anyway but when they get wet the peanuts tend to go mouldy. I don't know why I leave them out really as the birds here all go for the sunflower hearts. Even the robin hangs on the feeder for those although I put mealworms in a ground feeder for him.

I need to sort out the rest of my Christmas presents. I texted a couple of granddaughters this morning to see if there was anything they specially wanted. The 19 year old got back to me to say there was nothing she really needed. They all seem to have so much nowadays. At 19 I'd have been glad of almost anything. I can remember someone giving me a set of bath stuff that included a nail brush and back scrubbing brush and being delighted with it. In fact the back scrubber sits on the edge of the bath and still occasionally gets used.

My hearing in one ear is very muffled at the moment. I've been using the olive oil spray and it's a bit better but I need the wax removed. The doctors don't do it any more so you have to pay privately. Specsavers seem to be the cheapest at £55 but there is a very long wait for an appointment. Boots haven't got it organised at their hearing clinic yet but there is a private company operating out of our local health centre so I have an appointment booked there. It's £80 and the earliest appointment is 23rd December. They told me to stop using the spray for now and start again 5 days before my appointment. Although it's pricey I'm happier going to the health centre as I know how strict they are about Covid precautions.

We seem to have missed the worst of the wind thank goodness. It's definitely blowy but not the gales we were told to expect. We even saw a gleam of sun this morning but it's been raining again since lunchtime and it is cold. At the moment it's 3 degrees and hasn't been much warmer all day. I still have a few jobs to do in the garden but they won't get done till it's a lot drier and at least a little bit warmer.

OH wanted gammon steaks for tonight so I had better go and sort out something to go with them. Enjoy the rest of the day everyone and keep warm and dry.

Boris Johnson is to hold a Number 10 press conference at 5pm today, after cases of the Omicron covid-19 variant were confirmed in the UK.

The PM will speak from Downing Street alongside, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Officer Sir Patrick Vallance.

It comes as two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant feared to have a higher reinfection rate have been detected in the UK, as the Government added extra African countries to the travel red list.

The individuals and all members of their households have been ordered to self-isolate after one case was detected in Chelmsford, Essex, and the other in Nottingham.

Both cases are believed to be connected and there is a link to southern Africa.

Afternoon All,

What a strange night. About 2.00am the wind suddenly got up and the rain was really lashing on the bedroom window. It set a car alarm off in the close and I was just getting out of bed to see if it was ours and it stopped. It was all calm again then, but this morning everywhere was covered in snow and we couldn't see across the field with the blizzard. It all quickly melted once it stopped snowing and I noticed Mr O was out and I assume sweeping bits that had blown onto their drive. OH saw Mrs O out there yesterday, picking up pine needles off their drive and thought how pointless it was with the windy weather forecast.



OH took one look outside and decided to forget going to a match and has been watching footie on the telly instead. He checked the loft this morning as I thought I heard a mouse in the night, but if there was, it hasn't been caught in a trap yet. He got a box with wrapping paper and cards down while he was up there.

I have finally ordered his laptop, ordered another tabletop Christmas tree that looks better than the one I sent back and have ordered some short wellies.

I like Bourton on the Water, but it is years since I went there. How nice though to find some shops with things you don't see everywhere else! I used to take mum out to different towns years ago and we would find things we never saw anywhere else and we got some lovely things. Now though, most places have the same shops with the same things.

It seems surprising Em's family have the virus with where you live away from most folk Mel, but like Mandy says, OH is finding his schools are getting more of the virus now and have started having virtual meetings. Once it is in a home, it tends to spread to other family members as well. They say 1 in 4 cases of colds are actually covid too, so without testing they won't be isolating and will go around spreading it too. Now we have our first cases of the new variant and I think I read that that is more infectious than the Delta one, one expert saying it could be up to 500% more infectious..

How great that your trees are in demand Mandy! Now a couple of scarves to knit for the children as well. I love starting some new knitting! That's good getting Colin to stir the mix! They may as well put those muscles they have to good use!

You are ahead of me Gwen and I must get my cards for abroad sent early next week. At least I am ok for stamps.

Next job is to paint the outside of the box with the wooden Christmas scene and then it's back to sketching my pictures.

AnnG
That sounds a lovely visit to Bourton-on-the-Water and all the better for being without so many of the tourist crowds. It's such a pretty little place and I'm sure you now have some lovely photos and some special shopping too.

Really bleak cold and driving rain earlier, but calmer and sunny at present.

Overseas cards sent in the post this morning, so I feel I've made a start.
£1.70 to send each one, but as they are either family or friends from over 50 years ago, I like to keep in touch.
2nd class stamps bought for UK delivery, so I will sort more of them this weekend.

Morning all,

We seem to have been lucky with the weather its a bit breezy here with a little bit of sun now and then.

I think a lot of these covid cases are in the schools that's how son and family got it as there was six away with it in Laceys class when she had to test .
Spoke to son this morning and he's not to bad with it he said you can feel fine one minute and then the next it hits you and you feel bad .
Hope Em and family don't get it to bad .

Yesterday I made two Christmas cakes and for the first time Colin helped by giving it a good stir ,I just need to make two more Christmas puds now.

I've been busy making more of the little Christmas trees the lady came back and said could I make another fifteen she's giving them to the blind apparently.

I also have to knit Lewis and Lacey a scarf each so I got some lovely soft wool in blue and pink so something else to keep me busy .

Coffee time now so bbl

Morning Anng and all,

Dull and still very windy and still gale force. It blew the plastic off the little greenhouse which we were expecting anyway as it was cracked in many places but it blew my huge fairy over and she has smashed to bits. Its the one that stands over his pond with the bow and arrow the one he repainted for me this year. oh said to leave her where she is as she won't go any further. I am just pleased she did'nt go in his pond as she a bit spikey and could have peirced the liner but one of her arms is in the pond.

I have to do the shop today for some bits and pieces but I shan'nt hang around.

Anng you asked if thye were both vacinated and the answer is they were due their boosters yesterday but having covid they could'nt go. Sam has only had one injection.

And now there is a blizzard outside. and it is 2 degrees. Hopefully it is wet snow and won't lay.

Good morning all dark wet and windy at the moment not going far today.

Mel Oh dear that is close then I hope em and family are not too bad, Have they been fully vaccinated? I assume you have not had contact? Stay away from the shops in that area then. <3

Just heard from Em next door that Sam has covid and his dad and now Em too but George is ok so far. Apparently its rife in shebbear School.

Forgot to say I heard from Gwyn this morning and she's had a busy week.

Ann I have sent you a pm.

I do know about the toothpaste and I have bongela but htis morning I have been rinsing with Codysil and thats worked a treat.

Very high gale force wind here and plenty of hail and rain just as I was going to corn the chickens so thye've not been done yet. My little lonely bantam natters to me in the morning when I go to feed her. The big girls laid me another egg today too so that was good. cThey must have known I bought some eggs this week and are now in competition.

Back from Bourton on the Water. We had a really good day, dry driving there and some nice sun so the scenery was lovely. started to rain a bit when we got there so we went to the cemetery first for friend to do what she wanted to do. she was not long and by then the rain had stopped so we drove to the main car park. Nowhere near as busy as it would be in the high season so we wondered over to the little river and took some photos of the bridges (our project for January. Next we went for coffee, lots of choice but we found a nice one with well spaced tables and staff wearing masks. After coffee we had a good shop around and bought lots of little things for presents for Christmas, some things you don't see elsewhere and all reasonably priced, I was expecting things to be much dearer as it is a tourist area. We then had lunch followed by another few shops including a Christmas shop. And then we drove home. We had brilliant sun and stormy rain so a real mixture but we never actually got wet.

Fireman Andy cried off his appointment yesterday and is now coming Tuesday, he was called to an urgent meeting.

Oh dear Vera, I hope your (or rather your OH's) day improved.

Mel that tip with toothpaste for sensitive teeth is a good one (and bonjella.

Oh no Mel! Your weather usually travels up to us next, so it will be our turn soon. Still dry here and dull.

I'm finding it hard to get motivated this afternoon, but must get started. OH is doing notes so keeping out of the way. :-)

Now we have sun out the back rain in the front with hail in it and high winds.

Morning All,

Dull and rainy here earlier, now it's just more dull. Have you any of the toothpaste for sensitive teeth Mel? If so, put a pea sized bit on the tip of your finger and rub it on the base of the tooth and gum. Don't rinse it off. My dentist told me to do that when the gum has receded and it works. I use the sensitive toothpaste anyway, and which is usually enough, but sometimes that little extra massaged in is needed. Otherwise do you have any Bonjela you could use. It's a shame the shop isn't wanting your wreaths just now. I'm sure people will miss having them. I look forward to receiving your recipe. :-)

AnnG we have the same trouble just after we have exited the close to the left. You really have to be careful you don't run into the car in front of you that is queuing to the island. Mind you our neighbour's new security light 14 feet from us and facing us as we try to go down the step from our conservatory at night is just as bad. Is your alarm all fixed in place now?

Vera, they are all the same blaming us for their own shortcomings! I never put jar lids on tight and always lift the actual jar itself. Not OH though, he lifted one by the lid and smashed it on the floor and of course it was my fault. No chance of it happening when he puts the lids on so tight I can't undo them though and isn't here to undo them for me! :-(

We are having F&C delivered today as a treat. I couldn't believe how the prices are shooting up though. Apparently bread and pasta will be going up in price next according to what I read this morning. It's the price of wheat and gas going up causing it as well as other things.

I think I need to make a start on sketching out my 2 pictures this afternoon now I have at last decided which I'm doing.

The winds really got up now and its blowing a hooley and its 6 degrees.

Morning all,

Rained in the night and is still raining on and off this morning but we have had a little spell of sunshine now and then.

Still not been up the church for my flower stand and must do it today. I just don't seem to be able to get into the Christmas spirit this year. Maybe because I don't do the wreaths for the shop anymore but I do do the church advent ring and three others for friends so I suppose I should find out if they want them this year.

Tooths no better this morning I think the gum has receded and thats why its giving me so much pain.

Good morning AnnG and all

It’s cold, very grey, very wet and a bit windy. The day started badly with OH accidentally throwing a large Tupperware carton full of muesli all over the floor. Apparently it was my fault as I must have put the lid on wrongly. Of course, it had nothing to do with the fact that he was fumbling about in the dark rather than put the light on!

I had a busy day yesterday and today looks as though it will be the same so I’m going to get on now with all the things I want to do today. I hope you all have a good day. Might bbl.