General Chat

How sad to read of the death of the 55 year old just retired Chief constable of Leicestershire. Of course we don't know the facts but suicide is mentioned. so many people who retire from high profile, active jobs before they are ready find it difficult to cope with. such a pity as he must have had a lot to offer in other areas of work or voluntary work.

good morning Vera and everyone. 0 degree here but no frost. forecast for the weekend is worrying. Anyone who has planted out tender plants because of the good weather last week should be concerned. I am a bit concerned for my plants in the unheated greenhouse I am hoping the very low temperatures don't get down this far but I may just cover them. Forecast for North East is a potential -8. A lot of plants won't survive that.

Good morning all

Brrr. There was a heavy frost last night and a few flakes of snow this morning. Weather app says it is 2 degrees but feels like -3.

I didn’t sleep much last night. I got up again at 1 am as I wasn’t sleeping, made some tea and stayed downstairs for a while, then went back to bed and read till 3 am. Eventually I fell asleep and woke again at 7 am.

I’m not sure what I’ll be doing today. I’m going to put the towels in to wash now but have no plans after that but I expect I’ll fill my day somehow. I hope you all enjoy your day whatever you are doing.

Oh that is good I hope she recovers well. Sleep well Vera.

I have just seen something online about that accident today. There were no real details but it did say she was taken to hospital with head and leg injuries. It then said her injuries are not believed to be life threatening so that’s a relief.

I watched it yesterday Mel and wondered where they were with their kale and other veg. Yes, I wonder where the cart was parked!

What a shame a lady got knocked down on the crossing Vera. It does shake you up and stick in your mind as you say, but it was quick thinking of your OH to go in the shop to find a first aider. Your scones sounded delicious and it's good to go back to somewhere you know will have nice food.

We will fight any planning application, like we did when the 3 properties were built at the end of our close, but I don't hold out much hope. The local council refused planning for those, but the builder appealed and the district inspector overuled them and allowed it, even though we highlighted the problems there would be that have now happened eg like lorries getting stuck. The localism act they brought in is just not working if we can't influence what happens in our neighbourhoods.

Gwyn our village isn't huge but at the other end of the village they have used the land from 11 farms to start building 4,500 houses and no change to the narrow road through the village. They are building a school there as well, but only allowing 2 parking spaces per house, so where will their children park their cars? Every time we drive into the villages around here we see new building developments. Will the whole country be as dense as London in another 100 years. We can't keep expanding at this rate for ever. It is a shock when you look at old maps of where you live on line from the early 1900s and see how little is built up.

It sounds like the children really enjoyed their outing with you and the trip back on the bus too.

I went up the greenhouse before it got dark and it was really cold. The PC says 1 degree now. I have covered my plants including the geraniums with bubblewrap I'd saved, to help protect them. It would be annoying to lose some now after getting them through the winter this far.

I was so into my craft this afternoon I forgot to go and pick up oh and my scripts. He only had 5 to take tonight instead of 8.

That was'nt nice seeing that accident Vera and it shakes you up even though you don't know the person. I do hope she is ok and her injuries were'nt too bad. Poor women.

If anyone is watching the Simpler Life they tried to sell there veg at the cross roads at New Inn yesterday thats just down the road from me onthe way to Holsworthy and they were in Holsworthy Market and thats about 9 miles from here and I wondered where they left the horse and cart???

That was a sad end to your nice morning out Vera. You have to feel for the driver if it is governed by traffic lights and they were green. I wonder if she forgot to wait for the signal to cross. Yes it would shake you up. People do tend to stand and watch, some out of concern and some curious/nosy.

Yes I did see that on the wine thread. I suppose (being generous) quite interesting info. If you wanted to know. But not necessary.

It came over very black a while ago and then we had some sleet. Now it is just grey, cold and miserable. The computer is saying it's 15 degrees and there is light rain but the computer appears to believe I live in Ottery St Mary. Goodness knows where that's come from; I don't think I have ever been there.

As OH buys his wines by the case from a merchant I don't often buy individual bottles from the supermarket but I might try a bottle of that Chardonnay AnnG, just to see if I like it more than I usually do. I do occasionally use some Tesco vouchers to treat myself to a bottle of their Sancerre, sometimes I get the Sancerre Rose. It's about £12 a bottle but it doesn't seem expensive if I'm using vouchers :-D Have you kept up with that wine thread? If not, have a read of the latest. We've had another lecture to which Florence and I have responded.

I'm glad your OH is feeling a little better Ann. I hope you get to see the plans for the field behind you soon and that there is a proper consultation process. I fully understand what Gwyn is saying. Big new estates have gone up all around our area, there's one of 1200 homes in progress now but there are very few in the price range for a first time buyer. There is no new infrastructure. The doctors are overwhelmed, there are insufficient school places and the town centre is often choc-a-bloc full of traffic as the roads are narrow and there is no town by-pass, even though it has been talked about to my knowledge for 30 years.

Well, we had a delicious scone and an excellent coffee in our favourite French owned restaurant. The scones always taste just cooked and all the jams are home-made and you get a very generous portion. Then we went to the bank and had a satisfactory chat with the advisor there. Unfortunately walking back to the car park we saw an elderly lady knocked down on a pedestrian crossing. We were just approaching the crossing and didn't hear the beeping noise to say it was safe to cross so I think she had stepped out in front of the traffic. A couple of ladies rushed to help her, a young man phoned for an ambulance straight away and told them very clearly what had happened and exactly where and as it was outside Roys my OH ran into the shop for their trained first aider. As we couldn't help further we thought it better to move away and I tried to encourage a few others to do the same and give those who could help some room but people will rubberneck. It looked quite bad, there was a lot of blood and I think it was from a head wound. It did shake us up and I've been thinking of that poor lady for the rest of the day, and the poor driver too.

Have to say, I can’t eat too many peanuts so that probably contributed to the problem good you got the tests you wanted and also managed the walk. I bet they hope people will be put off by the posted saying they have not got any. Bit unfair really though. Good job you had phoned.

I don’t think I would be brave enough to take an untried vaccine. Either. But anyway you didn’t have a choice as you have had Covid.

I went out in the garden and checked if the lawn was dry but it is still wet from yesterday so I didn’t cut it. The edges need doing now so will have to see what it is like tomorrow. It was very cold out there. I did walk down to take some books back and I actually put a few pieces into the jigsaw.

I wouldn't have got the covid tests if I'd taken any notice of the sign in the shop saying they were out of stock. I ignored it and asked about them, as I'd phoned to check they had some just before they closed last night and yes they did have them. I haven't undone the sealed plastic bag they are in yet, but it feels like 1 box of lateral flows and she did say there is a PCR test as well. I did my walk afterwards and managed 2 laps today. So many people have cockerpoos and french bulldogs nowadays and there was a nice little black and tan Chihuahua, which despite it's small size was racing about. It hadn't been fed too many titbits like some though and was as sleek as a Whippet!

I think OH does suffer from IBS to some degree AnnG. His tummy really bloats if he eats most white bread. It seems It seems today may have been self inflicted as he was hungry when he got home after I'd gone to bed last night and ate cereal then a lot of peanuts .......too much fibre!! He had some Dairy Box chocs as well and they certainly have that effect on me!! He does seem alright again now though. I thought at first he might have picked up a bug from his visit to the doctor's on Monday as his appointment was over half an hour late as someone had been sick in the nurse's room and they had to disinfect. The training brief he should have gone to won't be a problem as they are sending him a video recording of it. His meeting tonight is quite a way to travel, but I think he will go if he's still ok this afternoon.

The hospital research unit sent an email today inviting me to a trial testing a new covid vaccine. I fit all the criteria except you musn't have had covid, but I'm not sure I would want to be a guinea pig anyway. It's a good job some people will though.

I wondered if the chap had a place in mind for the missing blind Mandy! I expect he will say he left it with the other old blinds as he would be in trouble if he admits it. I see you are getting things together ready for planting your seedlings. The coloured light on the wind chime sounds nice.

That's just what I thought Mel, the blind that matters most is the dodgy one! I shall think about you enjoying your F&C! Your plastering and casting sound interesting.

I think while our immunity has had a boost from getting covid I might book a belated birthday meal for OH at Pesto. We last went 2 years ago for his birthday and there wasn't anyone else there at 12.00pm and they put us in a corner away from other tables with a view of the garden.

Well I seem to have done nothing but jobs the last few days so I am getting my paints out next.

Afternoon.

Happy Anniversary to you both Vera hope you were treated to a nice scone and coffee .

Ann what a shame your having troubling the new blinds ,it's so disappointing when they are not what you expected ,I hope it can be sorted out for you .
Bit naughty the chap taking the blind perhaps he had a home for it .

It's been dry all morning but has just started to rain ,it's a bit on the chilly side too and you notice it after all the nice sunshine.

We called at Roys for another grow bag and a bag of potting on compost ,I also bought a new wind chime with a colour changing light in it .
We then went to have a coffee with son and dil and dil's parent's called too so we had a good chat .

I lkike the Gallo wines Anng. We have their white grenech and their Merlot and sometimes another one thats a rose' which is nice and light but a bit sweet.

I have hoovered the kitchen and then gave the hoover a haircut and washed out the box for the new lot of mealworms thats arrived and done some casting and some plastering.

I am still hoovering up glitter and tinsel from Christmas it seems to appear like the fairies have sprinkled it here and there.

Is'nt it always the same when you need something and that something dos'nt do the complete job you wanted it to. The most important blind is the one giving you all the trouble.

Happy anniversary Vera enjoy it together, even though low key
Referring to another thread and Chardonnay. T and I both stopped drinking it as we found we preferred Suvignon or Pinot grigio and daughter never liked it either (daughter and I prefer a drier wine. However since she discovered that with her various health problems she was better to drink white wine than red, she has experimented a bit and found a chardonnay on Tesco that she likes, I tried it and I liked it. It is not oaked apparently it is Gallo Family produced in in Europe from Californian grapes. (£6)

Oh dear Ann poor OH he does seem to get this more often than most people it must be annoying for him to have to miss meetings.
did you get your walk in?

Morning All,

Misty moisty morning here and its quite thick. Pc says 7 degrees but it dos'nt feel like it with the mist but if there's mist there's no wind!

F & C's night tonight so no cooking for me so thats good.

Happy Anniversary Vera and oh hope you enjoy your coffee out today. Its good you slept better last night Vera so you have some get up and go today.

Morning All,

It's dull here and looks like rain soon so I'm off to get my walk in before it does. I also need to go in the chemist (for lateral flow tests) for the first time since the start of the epidemic as OH has 'the trots' and daren't stray far from the bathroom. He's had to cancel a meeting for this morning and will see how he is for tonight's meeting. :-S

Well HAPPY ANNIVERSAY Vera and I hope you are treated to a coffee while you are out. :-) I was thinking of asking the fitter when he comes if he could swap to cords like our other blinds have. The stick thingy looks less cluttered than cords but it is harder to open the wide window blind with it. I will see what he says.

It is a shame about the building at the back of us and I'm sure they won't put space taking bungalows just behind us when they can fit more houses in. Those of us backing up to the field had to pay more for our bungalows than those opposite us as we had the field view. It will mean over a year or so of noise with the diggers etc and bricklayers, window fitters, roofers overlooking our gardens, so no peace or privacy out there while the building work is being done.

Yes the blinds in 2 rooms work well at keeping the light out and the study one will stop the hot sun blazing through when it is closed. The bigger window one in the bedroom where the van and headlights are directly opposite is the problem one and doesn't fully close so is not so good at the moment!

Glad you slept well AnnG.

I'd better get moving and miss the rain now.

Happy Anniversary Vera and OH...I hope you enjoy your scone later ;-)

Sorry to hear of your neighbourhood problems Annx..
I do hope that there can be a re think about building on the land to the back of your property.
I fully understand that people need homes, but the 'powers that be' seem to have a strange understanding of affordable housing that is often needed to keep an area vibrant. Too many times, young families can not afford to live in their home area without a very hefty deposit.

......and as for squeezing in as many properties as possible, I could hardly believe how many properties have been built not far from here on what was M.O.D. land. Building work is still on-going, but no schools or another hospital in the overall plan, so there are added problems locally because of this.

A busy day yesterday walking with a Year 1 class, so that they could learn more about the geography of our local area. We walked along an old quiet bridle way into the nearest town, then caught a double decker back to school, when we had finished..... some new experiences for some of them.
I haven't been going into school lately, because of Covid numbers, but when they rang to ask if I would go, I felt I could, because we were outside apart from the bus ride, when I wore a mask, as usual.
We were lucky with the weather. It was more chilly than of late and rather dull, but was OK for walking and more importantly, it stayed dry.
This morning is dull and damp with very light rain.

Good morning AnnG and all

Horrid weather here. Thick grey cloud and rain on and off with the promise of sleet later. I slept a bit better last night so I feel a bit more lively today.

We have to go and talk over some financial matters at the bank and OH wants to do that today. I might even persuade him to a coffee out as it’s our anniversary and he forgot as he frequently does. We’ve never bought each other presents or made a big fuss but before Covid we often had a nice meal out. This year I think he was so busy thinking about the family coming this weekend that an anniversary meal got forgotten. I’ll let him off if he buys me a coffee and scone while we’re in town :-)

Good morning all dry so far here and 4 degrees, hoping it stays dry, yesterday was horrid after all the lovely warm sunny weather.Slept well last night anyway.