General Chat

Newton by the sea, except the sea in in a sea fret (fog).
Cold is still with me, ok when out and about but hard to breath indoors and now coughing.
Had lunch in Hexham nice quaint place, lots of interesting shops.
Just waiting for Tesco.

Sorry you didn’t all get the photos. The group email obviously didn’t work with the IPad. Glad they got there in the end.
Glad you have a holiday booked Vera, something to look forward to.

You all seem to have been busy one way and another. Hope the aches are easing a bit now.

O Ann just when you thought a few words would do the trick and now he's back again leaving his door open with the radio blaring out. Some people have no idea about others do they. Its so very annoying when you have already asked his nicely if he would'nt do it.

Went and corned the girls and pulled up all the nettles along the side of the workshop. I am trying to get Foxgloves all along under oh's Sunflower painting and theres a fern there too and a little shrub on the corner but I need to put a bit of dirt along there and maybe sow some poppies and marigolds as I think that would look nice.

Not done anymore scraping of the road as the trailer is nearly full and I had a job to move it off the road onto the grass so people could drive down.

I'm pleased whith what I have done out there today and I just have to cut down some brimbles and I can get to the climbing Hydranger at the bottom. I also want to cut some branches of the big Beech tree down the bottom as its nearly hanging down to the ground and if I pull the branches down BIL can get the chain saw up there and cut them back. It will make it easier for him to get under to mow down there.

Still can't get the battery off the strimmer to put it on charge so I shall have to wait till BIL comes tomorrow. I lent him my one and he was so impressed with it he bought himself one as he was fed up with minding the leccy cable on his.

Salad tonight so I am going to boil myself a nice egg to go with it.

You've been talking to yourself a bit on here today Mel. Gosh, ypu are getting lots done around your garden and land. I'm glad your jab went well. You might find your arm is achey for a couple of days so don't overdo it.

It was warm but quite cloudy this morning but it has been sunny and very warm this afternoon. I haven't done anything in the garden as I decided that we would have a housework morning. We've been out and about and done nothing in the house for days so OH hoovered and dusted right through and I tackled the ironing and several odd jobs. OH does make a good job of vacuuming but he and I have different ideas on what constitutes dusting.

We had an early lunch as OH had a dental appointment at 2 pm in a different town and I decided to go with him and meet him back at the car later. It did mean I could get in a shop without him and get him a birthday card and also have a little walk along a different bit of river which was very pleasant.

This morning our neighbour knocked with some brownies he had cooked. I don't think he cooks with his grandchildren on Zoom so much now but just cooks for his own pleasure

I'm a bit tired and heavy headed at the moment so I had better go and start cooking dinner before I doze off.

EDIT: Sorry Annx - I missed you there. That paper delivery chap sounds a pain in the proverbial. Since our delivery was changed our papers now come really early - about 5 am - but the chap bringing them is very quiet. I only know because a couple of times I have been unable to sleep and seen him drive up but he's never woken us.

Afternoon All,

It's still 19 degrees here according to the PC but it doesn't feel that warm inside and has been a mix of sun and cloud today. I slept well but was woken by that chap with his car on our drive again with his door open and his radio blaring. He obviously couldn't give a toss about us asking nicely for him to not do it, so OH is going to dig out the phone number he has and ask where the paper is delivered from, so we can tell his employer. I need to take some photos as well.

We were going out this morning, then both had texts saying our new passports were being delivered today, so we had to stay in. They arrived at lunchtime, but were just stuck through the letterbox with the other post. We'd both thought we would have to sign for them! It was a much quicker service than we expected though, both sent off and new ones returned in less than a fortnight! We thought we might be a couple of months waiting! I said to OH that we hadn't been anywhere for ages or anywhere that we were likely to be drug mules so they probaby didn't have to investigate us much!

OH was out yesterday and said one of his journeys that should take 20 minutes took over an hour and he only got there just in time. The roads seem busier than ever now. We thought the cost of living crisis and cost of fuel would mean quieter roads, but apparently it isn't as bad as we are told.

We've both had a lazy day today and OH was in bed early last night and was so tired after a busy week he didn't get up till late this morning.

I'm glad you enjoyed the event at the Space Centre Vera. You'll laugh at this, I told OH you had gone to visit the Space Station! lol. You should have seen his eyebrows go up and his eyes widen at the thought of you both in your space suits taking off in a rocket!! :-D It's good you now have a trip to Vienna to look forward to. I look forward to seeing some photos afterwards.

I agree that it's nice to watch a film like that without violence, etc. Even on TV the films are either fantasy, violence or bad language and sex that have become so predictable they are boring.

Those small prangs on cars are so annoying, as they just from people being careless and can cost a lot to put right. If you manouvre slowly enough when close to other vehicles you can feel a nudge before it causes even a scratch. It really annoys us how often we park in a near empty car park and as soon as someone else drives in they come and park right next to us when the carpark has hardly any other cars. Why? It makes less door room to get in and out for themselves as well.

That's good your jab was painless Mel. Is your arm hot and achey yet? Mine was like it for 5 days this time. Is the knee a bit better now. Just mind you don't twist it again till it's properly ok again.

I'm nipping in the garden to get a few more weeds out. These short stints seem to be doing the trick and getting rid of them.

Just been strimming all down towards Prickerly Bottom and out and along the back field. Now my arm is just begining to ache and the battery had run out so came in for a well earned cuppa.

Had my jab and I did'nt even feel it today, she's a good nurse.

18 degrees here and lovely and sunny so I think I may go out in the garden and do a bit.

Morning all,

Bright and sunny at the momen t 12 degrees and pc says mostly sunny but the weather forcast yesterday said rain in the afternoon.

Covid jab today and I don't know why but I am not looking forward to it. It dos'nt usually bother me.

Hope you all slept well, I did went out like a light again eveni if I don't do anything much in the day.

The pictures are wonderful such colour combinations. Thanks Mandy for sending them.

Lovely pictures from Muncaster Castle AnnG. The Rhododendrons are beautiful and so colourful. It's odd that Mandy seems to have been the only one to receive the email even though Ann clearly sent it to all of us.

Forgot to mention that we went for our Thursday coffee meet this morning and when we came out OH noticed that someone had put another ding in the back of our car. From the position he thinks it was probably the driver of the car that was parked next to us just clipping us as he backed out. It wasn't too bad so OH has managed to rub it down and put a bit of black paint on it but it's very annoying as we've been scraped and dented so often. I wouldn't ever advise anyone to buy a black car. I am convinced they are invisible.

Sent them Mel

You have had abusy week Vera na dI'm pleased you found a holiday in the end and it will be nice to see more of Viena. Lets hope this time you both stay well and can enjoy it. There is so much violence and shouting in films and tv programs lately nothing is enjoyable. I hate the swearing too.

Pc is telling e there's heavy rain soon so I am pleased I have done the chickens and don't have to go outside anymore.

Better get my dinner on now.

Can I have them too please as I did'nt get them either.

Sunshine all morning then it clouded over and rained its still cloudy again now but we had some sun this afternoon and its not cold out.

Been doing some painting today thought I would rest the old knee and tidied some of the miniatures around and had a damp dust so feel like I have done something today at least.

SIL phoned this morning and she's in Surrey and said it was raining there and why had I got sun when she had'nt. We had a long chat as the daughters wedding is in August and she wanted to know what wine for the table.

Must read Vera's post.

Sent Anng's photos on to you Vera

It’s been raining hard all day here though it seems to have stopped at last. It hasn’t felt very warm either but I think we always feel colder when it’s grey and damp.

You do all seem to have been in the wars with problem knees and backs and everything else. I hope things are a bit better now for everyone. I use the Deep Heat pads as well and nearly all supermarkets and chemists sell them. I wasn’t very happy with the last lot I bought as they didn’t seem to stick very well and kept falling off. I wondered if the company are saving costs by using a lower quality adhesive or whether I just had a dodgy pack. If you use them Mandy, read the instructions. If you are over a certain age you shouldn’t put them directly on your skin. A friend of mine never reads instructions and put a patch straight on to her body and actually burnt herself – luckily just a slight burn. If I want one on my back I wear a lightweight vest and keep it in position by tucking it in my pants – there, now you know all my intimate secrets, lol.

That was lovely to find a bracelet you liked AnnG. That will be something special for you. It sounds as though you are having an enjoyable time. I didn’t get your rhododendron pictures either. Mandy, could you send them to me too please.

Annx I was interested to read about your scam email as a friend showed me one on her phone this morning and asked me what I thought about it i.e. was it genuine. It was from UKTV which she does use and appeared genuine. It seemed to come from a genuine email address and gave an address, phone number etc but there was a link to click on. I told her to find the phone number for UKTV on a different piece of equipment, then ring and ask them if they had sent the email but on no account to click on the link until they confirmed it was from them. I’m not sure she will take my advice though.

Well, we have had a really hectic few days. We’ve managed to get to all our appointments on time and had our day trip to the National Space Centre AND managed to catch a film at our little local theatre and book a week’s holiday. The holiday was all done on the spur of the moment. We’ve been dithering about for ages – where can we go, when, don’t want to drive miles, need somewhere that isn’t isolated but want more than just beaches and so on and on and on. In the end I was so fed up that I said “I need a holiday and if we can’t agree I’m booking something even if it’s a caravan at Cromer!” At that OH suddenly said that he would like to go back to Vienna and try to have the holiday we didn’t get when he was taken ill there. I went online but couldn’t find the type of holiday we would enjoy so we managed to get to our favourite independent travel agent who have tailor made things for us before. The upshot is that we have a flight from our nearest airport and a decent hotel in the centre of Vienna. We’ve booked for a week. Last time we were going on to the Lakes area for a second week but you may remember we had to be flown home with OH in a wheelchair. We decided not to push our luck this time but just have the Vienna week.

The film we saw was The Great Escaper with Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson. We thought it was very good and it was a joy to see a film that wasn’t all violence, swearing and sex. It was great to see something where the whole cast actually acted instead of just shouting dialogue at each other.

I also enjoyed the National Space Centre much more than I expected. There was so much there that it was hard to take it all in. Our group also had a pre-booked slot to see the show in the planetarium and that was something else. I’ve been to the London Planetarium and also a very good one in Holland but this was really sensational. I really can’t describe it but I am really glad I saw it.

I have just seen the time and realized OH will be expecting a meal at some point in the next hour or so and I haven’t even started it yet so I had better get a wriggle on.

Thankyou for sending them Mandy. It's odd I never received them as I noticed AnnG had sent them, but I couldn't find them in my in box etc or in my spam. Anyway what a lovely day she had with all the sunshine and the Rhododendrons looked beautiful. It reminded me of Trebah Gardens in Cornwall and being amazed at the size and amount of them there.

I got the parcel posted and we got some of their nice rolls while we were there, egg and cress and tuna with red onion for me and I know one of OH's was corned beef and tomato, but can't remember the other. He sneaked a sausage roll in the basket as well. I wanted to call in the bathroom place on the way back to measure something and had some paper and a tape measure with me, but OH went a different way back didn't he and neither of us realised till we were nearly home. Maybe tomorrow.

I've sorted OH's car insurance having searched for cheaper quotes but it looks like he is best to stay with his current insurance this time. Although it is double what it was last year, it is still cheaper than elsewhere. Some quotes were over £1000 !!! That person denting his door while he was parked won't have helped and he had to pay the £350 excess then as well.

Has anyone been watching The Piano? The ten year old chinese boy was fantastic and he was so excited to meet Lang Lang and get his autograph. He kept saying he was so happy! :-D

It's been raining nearly all day here. I don't know whether to be glad it's softening the soil to get the weeds out, or disappointed it will make them grow faster.

It hasn't stopped raining all the morning and some of the showers have been quite heavy and its been pouring off the gazebo canopy, shame we can't collect it somehow ,lovely rainwater ,I did fill my watering cans from the overflow tub and that's now filled up again

Mel thats good your knee feels easier just be careful what you do today .

Oh goodness Ann you don't want to be going over backwards in the garden be careful .
Thanks I'll have a look for some of those heat patches when I go to collect our tablets .

Sent Anng's photos Ann .

Morning all,

I woke at 10.50am and am sittinghere with my coffee. Pc says 16 degrees and knee is a lot better this morning after a good nights rest. I shall just take it easy today . It did a lot of clicking yesterday evening .

Morning All,

Dull and dry again here but only 13 degrees and the PC says heavy rain in an hour!
I just nipped out and dug out a couple of feet of weeds, but when I tried to do some higher up I nearly toppled over backwards as my knees are still recovering from yesterday's effort, so I'm sticking to the lower weeds for now. As OH said it's not the time to be needing hospitals.

Well we seem to all be the walking wounded one way or another. The heat patches I've found best are Deep Heat Mandy. They are more expensive than some, but are better and just one on all day makes a difference, especially if you need to go out. I'm sure Boots would have them and I know Sainsbury's have them too. I was a bit dubious they would work when Jane told me to try some, but they do help a lot. I hope the rest has helped your back, but as you say just move it carefully so as not to set things back. Could you please forward me AnnG's Rhododendron pics as I'd love to see them?

Oh Mel I know what that feels like with knees, so give it time to recover or it will take even longer. It's a shame we can't take ibuprofen because of our other tablets, but we can use the gel on our knees. Just move it slowly for now, although you probably have no choice!

What a lovely idea to use the money to buy a silver bracelet AnnG. Every time you wear it you will remember the surprise find of the money T had left. It sounds like you are getting out and about and I'm glad the cold hasn't been bad enough to spoil your outings.

I have to go to the post office and shop soon as I need to return a parcel. We had no bin collection on Tuesday or yesterday, but they have just arrived so that will save phoning them.

We've both had emails and texts to say our new passports are done so that was much quicker than expected.

I had my PC locked with threats of losing all my info on there yesterday afternoon. It had a box for me to sign in to my google account and gave windows technical support number for help. It all looked very authentic with the right logos and no spelling mistakes and I couldn't close any of the windows, so I asked OH to google the support number for windows on his PC and it was different, so I was sure it was a very convincing scam. I rang our pc support people and they confirmed it was a scam and said to switch my pc off with the off button, then switch it back on which I did and everything was back to normal again. They remotely checked my pc for any malware and said it was clean as a whistle which was good to hear. All I'd been doing was looking at a site with old photos of this area.

Better get changed ready to go out as OH will be finishing his phone call soon.

Morning all,

Very wet morning here we were going shopping so will see if it eases up later as if did yesterday not going out in the rain when we don't have to.

Mel hope your knee is a bit better today and everyone else's aches and pains have eased .