General Chat

good morning all, blue sky and sunny here and not quite so windy.

Had to be up early this morning as daughter and SiL left just before 0730 for home. I have one lot of washing (their bedding finished and in the drier and a towel wash in the washing machine. I have also half blitzed the kitchen (i.e. cleaned surfaces, sink and floor. (floor swept not get washed!!). I feel as if it is nearly time for bed. :-D I didn't sleep that well knowing I had to get up early and my alarm scrambled the time and alarm time and I couldn't remember how to put it right at midnight when it woke me up. so no alarm set meant not much sleep.

So plenty to do today, the house is not too bad as we were away but the lounge floor need doing. And then there is the garden............

Good morning

Another hot, sticky restless night. It looks as though it is going to be a beautiful day again. There’s nothing particular planned but I might try to get in a walk again and then move garden furniture and pots about to work out how to fit everything in for our Club coffee morning next Saturday. There are 26 members and I think most will come and need somewhere to sit, plus I need somewhere for the sale of bric-a-brac, plants and books. There’s often a tombola as well but no-one has said they are doing that this year.

It’s another granddaughter’s birthday today so I must text her a greeting. I’ve sent her a card of course but they often don’t seem to arrive in time, even with a 1st class stamp so I usually send a text on the day.

Morning all,

It looks lie its going to be a nice day as the suns out already and the skies blue with big white clouds o the horizon. Pc says 12 degrees sunny and then it changes to humid.

Hope its not too hot. Lots I want to do but not the energy to do it with.

Hope you had a better night Vera and everyone else slept well.

I am pleased it is finished Vera. it was getting a bit stressful and the light in that room s not good. Daughter with her younger eyes was very methodical with her approach and did soe before we went away and some when we came back. I won't do another one during the summer as there is too much to do in the garden, but I do have one of daughters to do at Christmas time, it looks like there are lots of bits with good definition.

With our grandsons T always seemed to be fixing things for them and with them But they did all like to be organised into projects, that would include drawing, painting, photography for the older one and treasure hunts etc. These are daughters three as we had them more than son's two. they still talk about the projects now.

Thank you for the jigsaw photos AnnG. It’s a nice picture but I can see why it would have been difficult to do. Are you relieved it’s finished and will you be doing another one soon?

I’m not sure that company is really wise to offer a bonus for car sharing. People will always take advantage when they can. They gain anyway if two or more people travel in the same car as I assume they would share costs. Years ago people travelling to work in London from outlying villages round here would travel to our nearest mainline station and catch the train from there. Rather than pay fees at the station car park they would park in the road alongside often making it very difficult for residents to get in and out of their driveways. Eventually the local council put up signs banning parking in that street between 10 am and 11 am, which stopped the commuters leaving their cars there all day. Maybe your local authorities could do something similar Ann.

You seem to be getting a lot done outside Mel. Don’t overdo it and cause more hip and arm problems. I have trouble keeping on top of our pocket handkerchief of a garden so I don’t know how you manage with your huge plot.

Did you have a good day with Lewis Mandy? Boys might not be keen on sewing and knitting but they often like to cook with Grandma, particularly if they can take something home to Mum and Dad. I also found our grandson just liked to be with my OH whatever he was doing so would happily “help” to mow the lawn or clean the car. Occasionally OH would do a bit of woodwork with him and they made one or two basic toys and games. As for the turtle beach, I am not sure what the situation is. I think it may be like one we went to in Turkey a few years ago. The public were allowed on the beach during the day but there were people patrolling making sure they weren’t disturbing the nests. Then the beach was closed to the public from 7 in the evening till the following morning as the turtles would come to lay their eggs at night. I’ll have to ask granddaughter next time we text.

I decided this morning that I would like to walk down to the river and have a little stroll alongside and see how the swans were doing, but since seizing up a couple of times I have lost a bit of confidence about being out on my own. I am fine around the roads because if I have problems I can phone OH and he’ll come and get me in the car but I am wary of being on my own where a car couldn’t get. Pathetic aren’t I? Anyway OH said he would come with me. We went out by 10 am as I wanted to go before it got too hot. It was more a gentle stroll than a brisk walk but we still did 2.5 miles by the time we got back. It was really pleasant. The canoe club and the rowing club were both out practicing so there was lots to see. There was no sign of the swans so I guess they have taken their cygnets and moved up or down river. The vegetation along the river bank is allowed to grow tall and dense for the wildlife, although little areas are cleared along the way with the odd seat so that you can see the river. Flying up from this vegetation (nettles, thistles etc) were loads of what looked like small, fast flying black butterflies. It was hard to really see them as they moved so fast but I got the odd glimpse of a dark metallic blue. Then one landed on a leaf right by us and it wasn’t a butterfly at all but some sort of dragonfly! We stayed very still and watched it until it flew away. It looked as though it had black wings coming from halfway down its body but that was because it had dark bands on the mid to lower part of its wings so you didn’t notice the more transparent part above and below the band. Anyway I did some research when we got back and my black butterflies appear to be Banded Demoiselles. Apparently they are not uncommon near slow running rivers though I have not seen them here before.

After lunch I felt so tired that I went and laid down and tried to sleep. I can’t remember the last time I laid down in the day. I slept in total for between an hour and an hour and a half but in three lots of 20-30 minutes. I think it is going to be a hot, sticky night again. It’s 17 degrees at the moment but the wind we had earlier has died down and there is hardly a breath of air. Never mind, let’s be positive. Tonight WILL be a good night.

You got on well today after all Mel. Is it one of the early Montana type Clematis that you are cutting back? They get in a right tangle don't they. That is just the sort of thing OH does when I have got stuck into something in the garden. Usually it's a nice COT to sit in the arbour to rest and drink while we have a chinwag. Then, as you say, you have lost the wherewithall to carry on again.

I did manage to plant the wall pots, but needed an extra plant in the front of each, so had a look in the garden and found 2 self set Violas, so I have popped those in to fill the gap. I'll put them back on the wall tomorrow as it was a bit windy this afternoon.

Some people are never happy with their lot.

I have worn myself out in the garden this afternoon cutting back more of the clematis and clearing up the mess under it and trying to tie the Albatine rose in a bit so I can get to the fence and get the ivy off. Then just as I was getting on ok oh called me for a G & T at my pond and now I am all relaxed and don't want to do anything.

Yes their cost in fuel to the village will be the same Mel, but these people either can't or don't really want to share, (they may travel from opposite directions!) but they still want the bonus each that they get if they turn up at work sharing a car. They are being crafty to get the bonus. As AnnG says, the council may start charging for street parking, which would upset a lot of locals. Businesses may be having to demonstrate what they are doing to be 'green' now and it is a good idea if it meant the mile traffic jam through the village in the morning and evening was much less with less cars. Also the employer has already turned 2 fields into carparks for them with floodlights, but perhaps it still isn't enough.

Surely if they to the village and park and then get in a friends car to go into work they are still using their petrol or diesel to get to the village so I hope the bonus is better than the cost of fuel.

I have had a little play with my moulds and just put another lot in. I have moulded something with a bubble in it that I missed so the mould I took all come out with a great gapping hole in the mouth bit and its a tiny cow creamer.

I have fed the strawberries and picke dup a bit of the plant I cut down as the trailer was brought around the back for me. I still have to put the clematis cuttings in it yet and tie the climbing rose up as its hanging near the greenhouse.

gosh ann, there is always that group of people who want something for nothing and spoil it for others. The next thing will be the council will charge for parking over an hour so that will deter them.

sometimes little boys just want to play so maybe Lewis will be happy doing that Mandy. What about board games?

Afternoon All,

I slept well last night but keep waking really early at about 5.00am. Neither of us felt well yesterday afternoon, just really tired and yawning with no energy and not fancying eating, so we didn't do much other than paperwork. We both feel much better today so I may put the new plants in the front wall pots a bit later on.

Glad your journey home was ok AnnG. We find Fridays tend to be busier with traffic than Saturdays for long trips which is not what you would expect. You were lucky to have some nice sunny weather too.

Don't do too much Mel and make your hip and arm worse! Yes it was good them finding the old galleon wasn't it. That ship's bell was heavy at 10 stones wasn't it. I wonder what sorts of other things they will find.

I hope you manage to find things to do with Lewis Mandy. Would he like decorating his own pizza to cook and take home or to make some ice lollies?. It is more difficult to do things at home with a boy as you say.

Apparently one of the big employers based here is paying staff a bonus if they carshare. Sounds a good idea in theory doesn't it? What we have been told though is that some are parking their cars in the village, then saying they are car sharing to get the bonus! No wonder we can't find space to park in the village.

Sorry you had a bad night Vera and I hope tonight is better. It's 19 degrees here now but seems cooler as there is quite a breeze.

Morning all,

Brightish here this morning with some sun here and there but mostly a cloudy sky with little patches of blue. Its 15 degrees here this morning.

Just have the shop to do this mroning for the paper and some bits and then I may go in the garden for a bit but I am very achey today so far. It may ease off once I get going but I hav'nt been up that long.

Mandy does Lewis not like making things? You would think grandad would find something to occupy him being a boy.

What about the ship off the norfolk coast? I shall be Please to see a program or two on the things they find and hope they can raise it like the Marie Rose. The cannon looked huge on the telly and they did show a couple of finds and the ships bell which they had brought up. I love it when they find an old gallion and to see all the thingsused by the people in the past.

Sorry you had another bad night Vera and hope your not too tired today to get something done so you feel fulfilled.

Hope Ann had a better night too as I think she said she's had a bad one.

Morning all,
Another lovely sunny day and 14 degrees at the moment but it should get really hot today.
Vera lovely photo of your granddaughter on the beach its good the eggs are getting protected ,i know they've marked where the eggs have been laid but do they stop people going onto the beach or close it off when the eggs have been laid .

We have Lewis coming for the day I find it harder to find things to do with a boy much easier when the girls come as they like crafting things .

Enjoy the sun everyone ,hope to bbl if I'm not to tired.

Good morning AnnG and all

I’m pleased you had a reasonable journey back AnnG. It sounds as though you had a good holiday.

I didn’t sleep much again. It was so hot and muggy that at 2.30 am I gave up trying to sleep and got up, made a drink and read for a couple of hours. Eventually I dozed off and woke just before 7.30.

It sounds as though you have been busy outside Mel. I hope your hip and arm aren’t aching too much today.

I think it’s going to be a hot day again. It’s already 16 degrees and sunny. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing today; at the moment I feel very lethargic. I managed about 90 minutes gardening and a bit of h/w yesterday morning and spent some of the afternoon catching up on some paperwork so there’s nothing that needs doing urgently, but I’m not good at just sitting around. I always feel I should be doing something useful.

Oh well, we’ll just see what the day brings. I hope you all enjoy whatever you are doing today.

good morning, I slept well last night but decided to get up at 7 as I didn't want to go back to sleep. bright and cloudy here and 12 degrees. got a few jobs to do with daughter. one of which I didn't have before yesterday. in my office my back is to the window (no choice). so I have a let down venetian blind to keep out the sun off my screen. Yesterday one of the strings that are used to pull up and down came out and I think it is a two person job to get it back through the little holder.

Talking of strawberries (as Mel was), I had four on my two little new plants yesterday. I have picked them so the birds don't find them but not yet tasted them. Rwo different plants one id 'Cambridge', the other is am alpine.

I'm pleased you had a good week and the weather was kind for you all.

I have covered my strawberry barrow with netting as there are a couple just going pink and after the birds pulling out my seedlings I did'nt want them to start on the berries next. Oh helped me as its a bit breezey and he could see I was'nt getting anywhere on my own. I was looking for my other net and then remembered I had given it to oh for the old pond filter. Goodness knows where he has dumped that. I shall have to buy some more to put over the blueberries.

Cut down more of the dead clematis and asked if I could have the large trailer round the back so I could dump the cutting in it but that has'nt happened so now I have loads of dead stuff and I cut back the hydranga that was leaning over the path to my little greenhouse.

Hello all.

got home around 2.30 but stopped for the loo for 20 minutes than an hour plus at Dobbies for lunch. traffic was heavy but no hold ups. Traffic very heavy heading south West down the M5.

I have unpacked and we have been to Tesco so I am going to check and see if I actually need an order this week from Tesco.

had a lovely holiday and we were lucky with the weather only had one slight shower when we were out all week. It was beautiful when we left there this morning too. and is hot, sunny and blustery home here.

Just done the asda order and it says on the real ale 4 for the price of three. I ordered oh 8 Bass and got no discount???????

Afternoon All,

It's 18 degrees here but with a slight breeze so not as sticky and muggy as during the night. I had to fling the duvet back to get cool.

We nipped tp the garden centre and I found 4 plants to go with my geraniums in the wall pots, a white, double Calibro??? (you know what I mean) and a pinky mauve Bacopa. Then I did a 1 lap walk, but I got quite hot so didn't do 2.

I hope you have had/ are having a good journey home AnnG. Your meal last night with the cheese crusted cod and creamy tarragon sauce sounded delicious, especially with some garlic bread. I would have loved that. You have been spoiled with all these tasty meals. I think we have 4 or 5 more art lessons left.

OH mentioned about the tree coming down to our neighbour and it seems the planners can't get any allowed access to the field at the back of us at the moment so maybe there won't be any building there, at least not yet. They won't allow access off the road as it is so near the busy main junction with the main road and they can't get access where the new houses were built further along and they won't let them cross the old fosse way track that runs across part of the field. It's quite cheered me up. :-) The neighbour said he doesn't like towing the caravan they bought, so they are leaving it on sites and having it moved to different ones so they can stay in it in different places. They are off for 3 weeks in a weeks time. It seems like a good idea. OH said they seemed quite happy with our tree coming down and had noticed how it sways in the gales now and their cars are parked quite close to it.

That's annoying your hip playing up Mel. Let's hope it was to do with how you slept and will soon ease off.

ERNIE's managed to give me another £25 this month. :-)

Morning Vera and all,

Cloudy here this morning and 16 degrees and I have got up with a very achey right hip and it keeps giving me a sharp pain and is'nt very nice.

Safe journey Anng you have probably left by now.