General Chat

Another very grey, wet day - sigh. I don't think it has really been cold but the greyness and the damp have made me feel really chilly.

I did all my washing today although it wasn't the weather for hanging anything out so stuff is draped over an airer and hung in the showers. I did give in and use the tumble dryer for some things, although I've been trying not to use it very much. I then did a Sainsbury order for delivery Wednesday and just as I clicked on "Checkout" the screen froze and up popped a message to say the site couldn't be used because they were doing essential maintenance. Grrr! I was not a happy bunny. We had lunch and I went back online to find the site was still down.

We had some errands in town so had to go out then. We took my phone back to the shop as we had been told to do if the new battery didn't cure the problem. The chap had been suspicious that it was more than the battery so he has ordered a new connection for inside the phone. He said the factory normally send bits like that by post and he usually gets them the next day but, of course, there are all these postal strikes at the moment. He'll ring OH's mobile when he's got the part and fitted it. I don't like being without my phone when I am out and about because there are so few public call boxes now. In fact I don't know where there is a public phone round here.

OH filled up with fuel while we were out as we were getting low and tomorrow we were going to drive our neighbour to hospital to visit her husband who has been in for a little while but she knocked when we got back to say he is coming home tonight. She doesn't drive and has gone to visit him a couple of times by taxi but the round trip costs her anything between £50 and £75 so she couldn't afford to go very often.

When we got back home I logged in again to Sainsbury's and my order was still there but my booking slot had been cancelled so I had to book a slot again. At least I didn't have to go through the whole order again.

I'm doing more each day but my energy levels are still pretty low and I feel exhausted again tonight. I think I'll have an early night again. I have to be showered and dressed early tomorrow as I have a chiropody appointment first thing so I'll say goodnight now. Sleep well everyone.

Quiet opn here today.........

I have done the pond filter and some ironing of the washing I did yesterday as it dried today in the wind. The wind is really up now and blowing a hooley. Been fishing leaves out the pond.

Had a call for the plumber if he could borrow something I had here to move some cast iron rads so he came and took those away.

Did a little casting but not much but I am so glad I managed to get in touch with EE as that was worrying me.

Fish fingers for tea with beans.

Anng I shall have to get an electrian and Emm had the same trouble when Ed fitted led bulbs in thier lights. I also need to have a switch put in for the shower to turn it off when not in use.

I was on the phone this morning to cancel the sim card EE sent me for 20 minuets and tho9ught I would put the phone down and cut myself off. I rang again and had the phone on speaker and waited another 35 mins before I had a reply but its now canceled so thats another thing out of the way.

Morning all,

Late on parade this moorning as I did'nt wake till 9am. Its 13 degrees here and rain expected in 2 hours. The sun was out but has disappeared since I have been typing.

Must ringg EE today and see if they want the sim card back.

Nothing planned for today apart from that and I feel as though I was on the go all day yesterday so I m having a day off today. One thing was the plumber said he would have to go back home to get a brass elbow joint as he had'nt one on his van. I rushed into the lounge where oh kept his plumbing gear and looked through the box as I thought I had seen one earlier in the week while looking for something else. Lo and behold in the bottom of the tray was a brass elbow the plumber was surprised I knew what he was talking about so did'nt have to go home for one in the end.

Good morning all grey but dry here and 12 degrees now at 0910.

Mel is the light a pull cord or a switch? Maybe, if a cord, it is the way you pull it Versus the way he did. sounds weird I know but I can't think of any other explanation. Maybe get him back and have a new switch put in.

The leccy man could'nt find anything wrong with the bathroom light while he was here and turned it on and off loads of times. I went in there to clean the shower tray and turned the light on and out went the leccy. Now is it me or what?????

The new shower box has a green light on it and its so brightit shines on the tiles on the opposit wall. I think i may have to put some paint over it to sull it down a bit as it shines right in my eyes.

So glad that you have managed to pay up Vera but what a performance. Just underlines what happens when smart phones are relied on. There should be an option for a back up. Anyway we would miss you it is mainly only you Mel and myself chatting most of the time at the moment with welcome visits from Gwyn, Mandy and Island. Hopefully Ann will have time to return soon.

We seem to be doing nothing but paying out lately.so I know the empty pocket feeling Mel, but think how much you will enjoy that first shower.

I am afraid you are stuck with me for another year as I have managed to renew my membership. I was going to try renewing using OH's debit card and his phone for the one-time passcode but decided to see if my debit card would be accepted. The bank wanted to authenticate it with a passcode but gave me the option of having it sent to my mobile or our landline. I chose the landline and was given the code by a machine "voice". I put in the code and hey presto, everything went through and I am a member again. I'm really pleased at the level of security over online transactions these days but it did seem a lot of faffing around for £8.96.

The weather has been really awful today. It's been so dark and dreary that the lights have been on all day and it has been so wet that our courtyard outside is like a swimming pool. It seems strange that not many weeks ago we were praying for rain and now we're wondering if it's ever going to stop. I've got a whole box of bulbs that need planting up in some big pots. They'll have to be done with the pots in place and I won't be doing any planting in this weather. At the rate I am going I'll be wanting to put summer bedding in the pots before the spring bulbs have come through.

I weighed myself yesterday and found I had lost over half a stone while I was unwell. I can ill afford to lose weight so am hoping I'll put it back on now I am eating more normally. I am tall - 5'8" - and when I was young I used to be called slim and willowy. Unfortunately, now I am just plain scraggy. I'd love a bit of extra flesh round my arms but sadly any extra flesh always seems to go round my midriff :-( Oh, the joys of getting old.

There was a very good firework display and bonfire on the rec. at the bottom of our Close last night. I was able to watch some of it from an upstairs window. It was the first one for 3 years and the parish council put on a good show. I know it was a lot of money going up in smoke but it's easier to put up with the hard times when there's a bit of fun now and then. It's also good for some of the less affluent parents around to give their children a little treat without spending a fortune. There's no charge for watching the fireworks. There are various food and drink stalls and one or two other bits for sale but of course you don't have to spend money on those if you don't want to.

I haven't got any heating on in this room. I'm sitting at the desk with a dressing gown over my clothes but I am getting a bit chilly now so I think I'll go downstairs where it's warmer and have a nice hot drink.

Was that the whole shower that needed replacing. Not cheap are they. Mel

I have a new shower now and an empty pocket.

Thinking of you today, Mel <3

We don't see many small birds here either and certainly haven't seen the ones you mention.
How lovely to look across and see them near your home.
We have mostly pigeons lately. I haven't seen a blackbird, starling or sparrow for ages.
We do get fairly regular visits from a couple of robins, which are always welcome.

Ann your visit to Cheltenham with friends sounds very interesting.
I didn't get much chance to get to know the area, when we lived in Swindon Village for just over 3 months, when newly married, but I did like it there.

Vera, what a lovely gesture from your friends.
When I was away from volunteering during the pandemic, the primary school staff sent flowers to me and it was the unexpected nature of it that made it even more special. I hope you can gradually build up to finding the energy for more of the tasks which you want to complete.
Good to read that Mandy is able to move her hands a little more. Take it steady though. It must be so tempting to want to do so much more than one's body is ready for.
I hope Island's aches and pains are not troublesome at the moment.
So annoying having to give up on planned activities when the pain becomes too much.
I hope everything settles to a manageable or hopefully good level.
.......and Happy Birthday for whenever it is :-)

Annx, I hope OH has healed well and that you are enjoying your online courses.

A bleak miserable, dull and damp day here, but no severe downpours.
The forecast doesn't look good for the next few days either.
I have to go out tomorrow regardless for a yearly blood test, which they like to do to check various functions because of prescribed medications. I thought I had until early next month, before that was due, but it's booked now, so I have been trying to be good and limit my cheese intake especially, although cholesterol checks were only done in July and were OK then.
It's a full screening this time, so hopefully all is well.

Morning Anng and all,

Raining here but it dos'nt feel cold out there and pc says 12 degrees. Its dull and windy too a really dark dank dreay day.

I could hear one lot of fireworks last night from over the back but could'nt see anything.

Strange about those tags Anng I bet they were everyones favorite and thats why they are not available.

I have to rung the heating for a couple of hours and need to clean the bathroom and have a hoover which is what I was going to do yesterday but BIL turned up and everything went out the window plan wise.

Must get on as I don't know what time he is coming.

good morning all, foggy out there this morning and 6 degrees.
Mel I do envy you seeing fieldfares and long tailed tits. It is ages since I saw either here.
In fact, like you Vera, I am seeing very few birds now and throwing away more than they are eating. I thing it must be the removing of all the hedges by the builder for the building of the huge estate of way over 1000 houses just up the road from here..
Vera, how lovely of your friends to bring you flowers, they do cheer us up don't they? Especially when there are none in the garden, or very few.
What a nuisance about your phone, is it very old? I hope that it can be fixed.
I just couldn't get to sleep last night it must have been 2am before I dropped off, then woke at 7 so am a bit weary today. Still I have nothing planned except the tesco delivery and just one item unavailable which, believe it or not this far before Christmas is some gift tags I ordered which are out of stock. that was quick!! They were not saying unavailable yesterday at 10pm.

Mind you maybe it was somebody like the couple I saw on Thursday in town in the 'One below' shop (new name for the pound shop. The woman was kneeling on the floor while her partner held the basket and she scooped the whole pile of one brand of soap (I can't remember which might have been Dove), into the basket. Must have been ten packets????

Thank you Vera.

What a dreary, wet, chilly day it has been. I hope you’ve all had better weather where you are.

It sounds as though you had a good trip out AnnG. An interesting visit, a nice lunch, a bit of shopping and some good company - what more could anyone want?

It’s good that your bil can help you Mel and lovely for him to be able to snap the fieldfares and long tailed tits. I’ve noticed we are not seeing as many birds lately and the feeders aren’t getting emptied very quickly now. It’s mostly blue and great tits and sometimes goldfinches.

Changing the battery in my phone didn’t work. The phone is completely dead. I can’t get anything onscreen so it will have to go back to the shop on Monday. The problem is I am trying to renew but when I use my credit card the card company want to check it’s me by sending a code to my phone and I can’t open the phone! I’ll try tomorrow with a debit card as that’s on a joint account and I might have the option of the code being sent to OH’s phone. I don’t want a gap in my membership or I might lose my very cheap rate.

Our friends M & V called to see us today now we are free of infection and brought me some flowers. Wasn't that nice? It cheered me up as I was feeling a bit down. I hadn’t slept well, I’m still coughing and feeling very drained and tired and my phone not working at all was the final straw. But some nice flowers and a chat over a cuppa made me feel a lot brighter.

OH is cooking tonight and is just calling that he is dishing up in a couple of minutes so I’d better go.

Sending a gentle hug to all of you who have dates over the next week or so that will bring you memories - Mel, Gwyn and AnnG. There will of course be sadness but cherish your happy memories too.

Sound like it was an interesting day then with friends and lots to see and do. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

BIL came again today and has started clearing up oh's garage workshop. Some bit for the recykling and some for the dump but he takes that back to work with him and gets rid of it there which is good. At least you can walk in there now.

Wind dropped here and I am sure it drops when the tide turns.

Put washing in the machine this morning and charged it up and forgot to turn it on with BIL arriving so it willhave to wait till later now and I must do it as the plumber is coming tomorrow.

BIL was very interested in the Fieldfares in the orchard today and took lots of pics and then just as I was going to wash the dishes from lunch the Long Tailed Tits arrived so he took pics of those too and the Marsh Tits.

Notes for Forties November 2022-11-05

I was picked up at 0850 by my friend Barbara and we then picked up another friend. We drove to the Park and Ride and were soon in Cheltenham Town centre. The P&R cost us £1 each. First stop was M&S for a coffee where we sat chatting until it was time to walk to the Victorian house that was the birthplace of Gustavus Theodore von Holst; 21 September 1874 – 25 May 1934, probably best known for being the composer of The Planet suite. From which we also get I Vow to Thee My Country. Two rooms were devoted to Holst and his works with his piano as the centre piece and his gramophone as well.

The house is a museum in its own right with many Victorian
memorabilia to be seen in each room, these houses were tall and narrow and this one has four flights of stairs with the nursery and nanny’s room right at the top. There were six of us in our group and we were allowed to go round on our own and take as long as we wanted. There was only one other couple there while we were there.

It is not large but is crammed with interesting things to say and information to read. We all really enjoyed it.

When we came out we headed back to town and found a small Italian restaurant where I had Penne Au Pesto which was excellent with garlic bread, and I could not eat it all. After lunch we went to M&S for a quick look round, it is so much bigger and better than the Gloucester one. I bought a pair of trousers. On then to catch the Park and Ride bus back and then home. Got home at 3.30. A long but very pleasant day in great company.

I was sitting at the PC when the photos came through and immediately thanked you Mel.

O I meant to say that I thought that the bird pic was a Kestral. we have one that sits in the top of the trees out the back. As you can see it is in lovely condition. Suppose its been feeding on my little birds I feed each day. There dos'nt seem so many of them at the mo.