General Chat

Well having got everywhere ready for the drive to be done tomorrow, they have just phoned to say can they come on Friday instead! Apparently rain held them up today and they need to finish the job they were doing today in the morning. I just hope it doesn't rain on Friday now.

Yes he is AnnG, but he forgets he isn't an employed manager responsible for staff performance anymore and still puts himself out coaching and supporting people doing over and above what his fees cover. Like your son though if he is the same, if they enjoy what they do and are good at it, they will do it! lol.

Yes I still have a tiny set of drawers I got at a bargain price from that shop some years ago. They sit on a shelf in the bedroom and I keep my beaded bracelets in the drawers, different colours in each drawer.

Ann well done your OH obviously still has a good memory 'cos he is a youngster!! Yes the factory shops in Cornwall and Devon are Trago Mills. great shops we even once bought, on our way home, a wooden garden table and four chairs, really cheap. I still have the table, didn't use it this year but normally these days used for potting on plants. Used to love going to those places, some were bigger than others some out of town too.

that was late for your OH to be working, no wonder his head ached. He is so conscientious (do you think my brain would spell that? I had to actually refer to a proper dictionary for the correct spelling so much for A level English, it obviously doesn't last!) which is why he is in such demand. My son is much like him. Took early retirement from LV but is now working twice as hard for a smaller firm set up by one of his ex LV bosses and head hunted.

Afternoon All,

It's 22 degrees and a bit overcast here no but still no 'proper' rain. OH had to write up all the notes from several interviews that he did notes for yesterday and didn't finish till gone 11.00pm. No wonder he had a headache. He was up early and while I popped out to the garden centre and co-op he moved all the pots, table and chairs, watered all the back garden, cleaned the bathroom toilet, did a quick hoover through and got himself a snack for lunch. Now he's flaked out on the bed with his newspaper! It isn't often he bursts into activity like this, but I was very grateful as my knees haven't recovered from Monday's walk yet. I have dusted, watered the front wallpots and greenhouse and need to finish cleaning the bathroom next.

OH has been asked to do notes for another extra meeting in the morning, so he will be writing those up afterwards while the men are here. I think it will be best if we have F&C tomorrow and he can collect them on his way home.

My blood test was overdue again so I rang them and the usual was trotted out and the pandemic blamed, plus a shortage of the blood test bottles! They are sending the form I need to get it done at the surgery so I hope the surgery has some bottles!

AnnG I think I might have gone to that outlet in Falmouth myself. We used to visit a place on the right, a little way past some toilets and the harbour. It was like an incredible maze inside that seemed to sell everything, even different sorts of craft things. I just asked OH and he thinks it was called something like Trago Mills? I wonder if it has survived the pandemic.

I noticed on my trip to the garden centre that most of the fields are planted with corn this year instead of rapeseed, probably due to expected shortages. I was also surprised to see a Muntjac dive into a hedge bottom as I rounded a corner. They seem to be getting more common.

Better get the marigolds on now. ;-)

Morning Anng and all,

Just having my first and only coffee of the day. 17 here and mostly cloudy.

Gosh I was tired last night I did'nt seem to stop all day as we had a really big shop and half was wiped down before lunch and the rest after. I must have walked miles putting things away in the uti room and the lounge.

Got up twice inthe night for the loo. The last time was really early as the sun was just coming up and casting long shadows across the lawn at the back so I went back to bed as oh was still there too.I hate gettig up late as I don't seem to have much day if you know what I man.

Not a lot planned for today but I must sweep the bathroom ceiling as there was a huge cobweb hanging down waiting to get me when I went in there yesterday. we always have the window open in the bathroom and bedroom until I go to bed I shut the bathroom one as I put the solar lights in there so we can see if we get up in the night. The bedroom one is open all night and we get those tiny midges in there when oh has the telly on so we get spiders in there too.

good morning all, sunny here this morning but only 8 degrees. I slept with the duvet over me last night, such a change in temp from this time last week.

A bit more tidying up in the garden is on the cards for me I think, but I also need to do a bit of HW.

Those factory shops sound like a good place to look around, we don't have any here, only the outlet centre which is different I think.

We used to visit a factory shop in Falmouth and also near Bodmin and also in Devon somewhere, I can't remember the name of it. (all the same name I think).

Evening All,

I bet you enjoyed buying some things at the factory shop yesterday Mel. I popped to ours this morning and saw a few things I liked, but they have started reducing things for the sales so I may go back next week when more things may have been reduced. I wanted to see if there were any slow cookers now, but they seemed to be holding a meeting stood in front of them so I gave up in the end. Air rifles aren't cheap are they!! I had no idea.

I am in touch with 3 old schoolfriends and 3 work colleagues, but only recently caught up with 2. My parents moved house a few times, changes counties and I went to 6 schools so I never felt friendships would last.

OH was at a meeting this morning, then doing some urgent work following on the rest of today. I told the neighbour in the corner about the drive being done on thursday and that the men would clear their gulleys if any mess went into them. We were talking about the noise in the night recently with the gate. The neighbour said she went outside and the son from the house who was making all the noise was drunk and had lost his phone!

Tomorrow we need to move the pots and tables and chairs off the patio ready and make sure the bathroom is clean as they will be needing a toilet as they will be here all day I think.

I am still in touch with my best friend before High School, she was my chief bridesmaid, I think our friendship goes back to 48/49, could be a year or two earlier. We lived on the same estate but not close, we met at Sunday school. We are still in touch but only two or three times a year mostly birthdays and Christmas T was close to her husband and introduced them, then he was their best man. Other friends also date from 1951 the start of High School.

Wish it was a bit cooler here AnnG. The temperature is saying 19 degrees so it should be quite comfortable but there is hardly any breeze and it’s overcast and muggy. Could you all do a rain dance for us please. It’s getting desperate round here now, not just for us with our gardens but for the farmers growing our food.

I can match you with a friendship AnnG. I have known my bestie since 1946 or 47, though we didn’t become firm friends till 1950 or 51. Meetings became infrequent as our lives went in different directions and we both moved house a few times. Her late husband’s work took them to Africa for a few years as well but we’ve always kept in touch and chat on the phone from time to time and meet when we can. I’m also still in touch with a few girls who all started at a new school with me in 1952. How about the rest of you? Do you still have close childhood friends?

OH is clearing the gutters at the moment. I’ve washed some bedding and that’s on the line and the towels have nearly finished their wash. I’m now going to raid the freezer and see what I can find for tonight’s meal.

Enjoy the day everyone.

Came in from the garden to get a warm top to put on it is 16 degrees but feels really chilly out there. Had a couple of admin jobs to do and a card to write for a friend. Just realised that we have been friends since 1951 71 years wow!! :-D

I can't remember what it is we have had it about 15 years but it will be invasive which is why it is in a container. It will just be wait and see I think.

Doesn't OH have to collect the fire arm himself as he is presumably the licence holder? Or maybe I am wrong and you are. :-)

Morning Anng and all,

No I did'nt tell you about the silly air rifle did I?

They have two in Cullupton and three in Tavistock but none in Holsworthy. I asked if they could get one in and Lizzie told me they probably could. Did'nt tell me how long it would take and said I would have to pay for it with the order. Its £565 odd. Now thats a big sum to pay out before you get your order and how long is it going to take to get to Holsworthy. I have to go and pick it up as I ordered it and paid for it and its classed as a firearm.Anyway I did'nt order it and did'nt ring oh and he was cross a bit when I got home as I had'nt rung him.

18 degrees here this morning and I thinkit could get quite hot today.

I have 9 subs on the order and 5 are going back. Oh will be upset they have subbed his orange jelly for Raspberry as I order one of those for myself so that would be three of them with the order. They hav'nt my wiltshire ham and they subbed my sweet and sour sauce for a Sharwoods sauce??????? Subbed the great big special cherries for two asda cherries and crispy croquets for seasoned wedges. I shall have a look at the cherries as I do love them but after last weeks great big ones they are going to look very small.

You would have thought Cynth would have notice the bamboo wilting and given it a drink. Bamboos are pretty tough and I should think it will be ok next year unless its not an invasive one.

Anyway good morning all, quite grey here but sadly no rain 13 degrees so quite cool, hopefully I can do a bit more in the garden today preparing for the gravel being done. All not helped by the lady at the end of my garden (her fence) having her fence repaired so her 'man' who is doing it will need to come round to my side to put some bracing pieces of wood on which will involve moving a few containers.

Mel, you got me lost like you then. I read that your OH wanted a new air rifle and found one on the MV site. You then described your journey round and about but I was trying to work out when you bought the air rifle. then realised you probably didn't as you had spoken about it and then gone on to talk about a shopping trip earlier. Has he ordered it on line?

Seems like we are all in the same boat. Annoying for me is that most of the pots were watered and they are fine but the ones not watered are the ones that suffered. However, I do realise that if I had not gone away I may have managed to save more plants. Cynth may not have even realised the bamboos are in pots. The hostas will come back next year and I must admit I didn't water them before I went away as I had not had a problem with them in previous years so this must be the shape of things to come. I keep trying to look up and find things that need very little water. The big salvia has survived, that is in a tub so may be one to go for when I have the gravel garden finished. Strangely I have lost two or three lavenders in pots and they don't need much water. I am pleased that the tomatoes survived anyway.
I think I will cut the worst hit bamboo down and hope it does shoot from the base. If it doesn't I will have tried.

Your toms look really good Mandy, much better than mine.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with scorched plants. Most of our plants are OK and will recover but the smaller leaved hostas in the ground are brown and dry and look almost dead, though the11 hostas in pots are fine. OH has been watering everything regularly but the potted hostas are in more shade so haven't had the sun full on them.

I have a lot of penstemon that are always in flower throughout the summer. This year they look green and healthy but aren't flowering well at all, just the odd spike coming up here and there. which is very disappointing. Any idea why they appear to be healthy but aren't flowering?

I haven't done much at all today apart from a bit of washing. Our plumber man was here for three and a half hours as when he disconnected the WC pan and moved it he could see other things that weren't right. Anyway it's all done now. He just needs to put a final sealant around but wants to leave that a few days just to be sure that no leaks develop. It's all good so far.

We've had a couple more showers of rain but if you blinked you missed them. I'm hoping it will be a bit cooler tonight though at the moment it still feels very warm and muggy. Fingers crossed for a good night's sleep for all of us.

Well I did'nt get on with my list. Oh decided he wanted a new air rifle and found one he wanted and it was on Mole Valley site. Holsworthy did'nt have one as I asked when I wnet for chickens food which I had run out of. Off I set after lunch and got to the cross roads where I usually turn left to Dipper Mill but the road was closed. I went to shebbear shop and asked Keith what was the bestr way to go and he sent me to a village which he said was on the way. It was all narrow roads which seemed to go on forever but I did get to somewhere I recognised. Turned onto the main road and stopped at agarage toget some deisel and on to Holsworthy. Went into the town as I had'nt been in there for three years. we have a Factory Shop back there now and I bought a bra and two tops (cotton ) vest and strappy top and a solar light which I have just bought on Amazon for £12.49 and they had them for £5 so I bought that too.

Then on to MV and got bird food fat blocks and fat balls a couple of bits for oh for Christmas and an oyster joint of ham asnd the chicken pellets and corn and grit. Came out of there 88 pounds lighter Had spent £30 in the factory shop and set off for the way home.

Half way to Stibb Cross I realised I had'nt gone to the store to pick up the chickens food so had to go back to Holsworthy and pick it up. Then I came home the long way round and I was as dry as a dessert.

Did a bit of painting of my minitures while I cooked the ham and got dinner and here I am.

Lovely little toms Mandy. I have a few Sungold to pick now but they are so small this year but the GD plant has about four or five that are nearly ripe and three more little cues. I have already eaten three.

Vera I do hope your leak is now sorted to put your minds at rest.

As Mandy says AnnG, I think it was just too hot for the plants, even with lots of water and feed. Some have died in my front wall pots, others look OK. I've given up on my as yet to plant out French marigolds and the African ones I hadn't yet planted, as they were beyond saving. My Nasturtiums seem to be on their last legs and will be next to go I think. The tops are all burnt and shrivelled on the toms, but I will just let the next sideshoots grow with those. With the heat here it was impossible to go out at midday to do anything. I think your bamboos will shoot from the bottom as the ones I had were tough as old boots. Just keep watering the Hostas and they may well send up new growth. It is disheartening, but at least we are all in the same boat. I was surprised to see how many green leaves had fallen from the trees when I did the walk.

Thank you Mandy! I've not tried or heard of Cherry Falls before, but they sound like one I would like, so I'm making a note! You did well to find a few edible runners!

Afternoon all.

Not so hot today yesterday was another scorcher and the bedrooms were so hot again last night .
Ann those toms are Cherry Falls I have some Chadwick Cherry too but they are not ready yet ,I've got the Sun Gold too and I've picked a few of those ,I though the Sun Gold were sweet but these Cherry falls are sweet too I keep taking one as I go past.

Anng we have a few scorched plants that heat was just to much even though I watered morning and night they still got it .
The poor runners there's not one flower left on it lovely green leaves and plenty of new shoots so we're hoping for more beans later we'll see.

Vera I hope its an easy fix and doesn't take to long, fingers crossed all goes to plan .

I had four loads of washing today some of it was bedding but I'm sure I'm doing someone's else's in with mine lol were does it all come fro .
I'm still looking at the ironing but I did hoover right through and did a bit of dusting so not a bad day .
Tonight we've got a nice toad in the hole as its a bit cooler with carrots, potatoes and about 4 runners that I managed to find .

It is quite disheartening, the more I look at the garden the more things I see dead or dying because of the heat and probably lack of water. My Bamboos have all dried out. I am hoping that it is only the leaves and that there might be some regrowth at least for next year I think the heat was just too much. ferns too look pretty dead or nearly so and the hostas look awful. I got so dospirited I had to come indoors and leave it. I have spent a couple of hours out there today and the brown bin (emptied tomorrow) is full.

Afternoon All,

Slept well and it's 21 here and quite breezy. We watered again this morning and I saw that one of the cues has 'proper' cues on it so I picked those and more toms and 3 more courgettes. We went to the farm shop and stocked up on a few things including eggs we had run out of and some barnesley lamb chops we had for lunch.

I then changed and forced myself to do the walk! I took some of the loaf that Asda squashed on their last delivery to feed to the ducks. My word they are all growing up fast, but those greedy mother ducks have sure lost their maternal instincts. One poor youngster who had the audacity to grab some bread got pinned down on the bank by a mother duck who had her beak tightly round his neck. The poor thing was squeaking like mad and thrashed his legs around but she was merciless and didn't let him go for ages. As I left, 2 little Poodle crosses rushed up to me, one licking his lips at the sight of the bread bag. The grass there is mown very short now and is very brown.

While we had lunch we had about 4 minutes of fine rain, but as soon as OH went and shut the conservatory door it stopped! The sky is still grey so maybe we might get some more.

Mandy what variety are your lovely cherry toms? A few more of ours are ready to pick but not the abundance you have!

I hope the leak is now cured Vera and things are back to normal again. Your Blueberry plants look great and not as big as I thought they might be. Thanks for sending a pic of them.

Mel I need to do the bathroom as the workmen coming on Thursday will probably need the toilet. Can't face it at the moment though.