General Chat

Afternoon All,

It's gradually got duller and breezier here so I think rain is on it's way soon. Like AnnG I didn't have a brilliant night and was still awake at 3.00am so lay in for a while this morning but still feel weary. OH had lots of phone calls to make so I got a chicken and ham pie out and we had that for lunch with cabbage, carrots, peas and gravy.

How nice that one of the new girls was cuddled up to the old one Mel and that it still manages to get on the perches. I remember one of mum's chickens was always getting out and ended up with a big nest of eggs she'd laid in the long grass where the apple trees were at the bottom of the garden. With the brook at the bottom of the garden, the rats and mice would polish off any left over food in the run at dusk and I used to see a huge Owl sitting on the wire netting some nights, no doubt interested in the rodents in there. The netting should stop them escaping as you say and keep the wild birds out.

Gill what colour are you painting it? It sounds as if it will be quite big if the timber is 12 foot long. I bet Sandra is watching it grow all the time. Our Sainsbury's had the mince pies, but it's a good idea to get frozen ones and cook a few as Sandra wants them. I used to make and freeze 4 dozen uncooked for Christmas years ago, more if we had visitors and do the same as you and cook a few at a time. I used to dust the tins with flour so they were easy to remove after they were frozen and stored them in plastic boxes in the freezer.

A bit of paperwork next and then I shall finish my wool felting hopefully. There will be some on the craft prog tonights so I'm looking forward to it.

Downton Abbey will have to be next week now, but I think we only have one morning free.

Yes Gill he did finish pruning the rose and has also trimmed off the old lavender in the front garden which is a bit bush and generally cut back a few other shrubs.

Hope Sandra can get out soon to buy the bits she wants for her garden.

Mel, good to finish the chicken house before it rained. Back to your craft this afternoon then. I didn't sleep too badly but it could have been better.

WE,ve both been busy at the chicken run this morning and have just finished so I am having a sit down before I get the lunch. We now have the bean netting all over the top so Daisy and May should'nt be able to get up there now so are safe inside the run now and no birds should be able to get in either. They eat all the chickens food so I don't know if the girls have had enough.

Sorry to hear your leg hurt in the night AnnG and you did'nt get a good nights sleep.

Been down the post van today too and you have a parcel on the way Gill. Its addressed to Sandra and I sent it second class so it will probably be a couple of days before it arrives. Its only bits and peices as a pre Christmas present but I think she will like whats in it.

Right time to do some rolls I think as I am starving today. I too hav'nt eaten anything yet and only had one drink and some water with a pill.

Morning all

Bright and sunny so far today even though it was forecast to rain so OH is busy cutting the last few pieces for the make shift planter, with a bit of luck if the weather stays nice that job should be completed today then it'll just need painting. Sandra is getting really excited now.....bless her.

Love all the pics Mel. What a funny egg, I'm the same as Jane and love the cones, they are really pretty. You have been busy with all your crafts. Love all the pictures of Daisy and May.

Sandra's envious of you Ann having mince pies already, she loves them, but I haven't seen any around here yet. I'm hoping I can buy them uncooked again from Tesco's bakery like I did last year, that way I can buy a few and cook them when she wants one.

So you've found a nice new coffee shop to go to AnnG, it sounds lovely. Did your OH manage to finish off the pruning of the climbing rose, it's quite annoying when you're into a job and then you have to stop because of the rain. We're hoping we manage to finish off the planter for Sandra before it rains. Once the 12 foot piece has been cut to size it shouldn't take to long, hopefully the sun will stay around until it's finished, then OH can paint it. I must admit it's turned out better than I thought it would and I keep looking at it all the time, much to Sandra's amusement lol :-D ;-)

How is your foot today Frank? I hope it's feeling better now.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE :-D :-D :-D :-D

I started this post before mid day then OH had finished cutting the wood so I've been helping him finish off the planter and now it's afternoon. The planter looks great, much better than I thought it would look. It just needs painting now, but it started to rain just as we'd finished building it, so the painting will have to wait until we have another dry day. Sandra is pleased as punch and is eager to go shopping for her bits and bobs and some extra plants, (hopefully some flowers).

I'm going to get something to eat now, I haven't eaten all day and I'm starving, then I'll watch a few programmes with Sandra off the planner, she's been wait for ages to watch them. I need to wash my hands again as they are very itchy off the grasses I'm allergic to, I had to move them out of the way so we could finished the planter. Hopefully washing them again will stop the itchiness.

I'll catch up with the rest of the posts later.

Sunny and chilly this morning starting to cloud over a bit now. OH out pottering in the garden. I have been tidying and cleaning downstairs as we have the gardening interests group (U3A) coming for a couple of hours this afternoon. Probably be 9 of us so not too bad.
Sort of slept OK last night but my leg was hurting so kept waking me up to change sides how \I was laying.

Morning all,

Dry this morning with bright spells and a blue sky with lots and lots of those little fluffy clouds close together.

When I looked out the window this morning there were about 5 or 6 Jackdaws int he chicken run with the chickens. Yesterday a little girl was on the top of the run so today we are going to see if we can get bean netting on the top which should stop the Jackdaws getting in and the chickens getting out.

Hope you all had another good nights sleep and arn't too achy this morning.

Frank don't think your foot problem was cramp do you? I get it down the side of my foot sometimes.

Ann I think G is right and I have another one of the old girls whose battery is running out now too but one of the new ones was cuddled up next to her tonight on the high perch thats in there so they can get in the nest boxes. Oh thought he he put it too near the side for thejm to perch on but it seems he was wrong.

Hope G's tummy settles soon as there's nothing worse than an upset tum.

Jane it coul dhave been the anesthetic that has made you not want food so much. I know when mum had her op she lost a lot of weight and did'nt want to eat much and also my friend Val when she had her breasts off and there's not much of her normaly either.

Evening All,

A bit of rain after lunch but the washing had dried so that's good.

I love your makes Mel and the fairy beds look a bit like miniatures of Mandy's pram set for Lacey. I love all the different colours you have done them in. You did well with the fans as I discovered when I did my felt bird with the feathers that feathers don't want to stay where you put them! The new girls look very healthy and hopefully will soon be laying. When I told OH you had bought 2 as you had lost some of the battery ones you rescued, he said 'what happened, did their batteries run flat?' :-) I told him he was insensitive, but he just sees the funny side of life and means no harm. That egg was strange wasn't it.

It sounds like you have a musical family Vera and it will be so good to watch your grand daughter perform. I have always wished I could sing as it's a wonderful talent to have. It sounds like you had my sort of shopping trip today!

OH has taken medication for reflux for many years Vera. It might have caused his osteoporosis as it affects absorption of things like calcium. Now the medication for his bones is Alendronic acid which can also cause indigestion!! You go round in circles don't you! He threw the rest of the mince pies out and hasn't eaten at night since and has just had a small glass of milk instead. I think the smoked Mackerel in the fridge that he bought will be following the mince pies too!

Jane do you think it was when Chris was cooking that you lost weight? I didn't mean there was anything wrong with his cooking, just that when you aren't mobile it isn't as easy to 'nibble' or eat anything extra. It's good you managed to get an earlier appointment at the surgery to get checked out. OH said he will go to the doc in a week or two if he has any more trouble. His tum hasn't really been right since he had that bug. They found before that he has a slight hiatus hernia.

Frank it's good your foot is better again whatever it was that made it hurt. Good to have a good night's sleep too. Ros sounds like she had a good value meal and I bet she was glad the show picked up after the first half.

I bet Sandra is getting excited about 'her' garden now she can see it coming together Gill. It's lovely that she appreciates these things you do for her and will enjoy choosing her bits and bobs to put in it.

I started my next wool felting picture at class today and have nearly finished it tonight! I need to embroider a bit to finish it off and was starting to go cross eyed so will do that tomorrow. I also had some strong magnetic fasteners I ordered arrive so should be able to finish off my two rope necklaces.

I think we will have another try to see Downton Abbey tomorrow!

Gosh Jane my knees went funny just looking at the pictures of the zip wire.

Loin of pork for dinner with new pots and the last of our beans.

Vera you must be so pround of your grandaughter doing all those shows and you say she has a wonderful voice. Clever girl..... :-D

Did a bit of craft this afternoon on some other things I want to make but did'nt get on too well.

I had to bring the washing in as the wind really got up and it rained quite hard and I did'nt want it getting wetter than it was so it son the airer in the hall now.

I hate shellfish too and could'nt put it in my mouth but oh loves it.

Afternoon Everyone


Mel what an egg!!! It looked like a rubber one :-D The girls look lovely and i love the way they stay together :-D
All your craft pics look really good. You have got a lot done !. I really like the little cones.You are going to have a lot to sell :-D

Vera what a talented Gandaughter you have. I would love Tommy. The Who were one of my favourite bands back in the day :-D
I haven't heard of the show Rent. I will look it up

Frank, I am glad your foot sems back to normal again and that you had a really good night sleep last night. You enjoyed that dinner :-D. I would have only liked the fried potatoes !!!

So many people seem to suffer from Acid Reflux. (hope OH's has settled now Ann) I have had a problem with eating now for several months .I haven't mentioned it before.
But I am wondering if I might have a Hiatus Hernia. I get such a pain in the centre of my chest when I start to eat ,burp a lot and just can't eat much at all. I have lost about a stone since I had my hip done. So it is time I had this checked out. I have managed to get an appointment for next wednesday now so have cancelled the one that was booked for 7th Nov.

Gill,you weill be pleased now you have managed to get the planter made for Sandra :-D. She will be waiting now for the final results :-D :-D

I hope we do enjoy Calendar Girls tomorrow .I do find sometimes these shows can start off a bit slow and take time to warm up. Did Ros enjoy it in the end Frank?
No theatre tickets are cheap these days and I always think so many people can't afford to go which is such a shame as there are so many great things to see.Families with children must miss out a lot.Even the Pantomimes at Xmas time is so expensive .I always think every child should have the opportunity of going to a Panto(at least once)

Ann, you asked if Hannah had started her new job. She has 2 weeks induction. Last week was in London and this week she is in Dundee. (says she is freezing there lol )
So the proper work will begin next week back in London. That will just be Mon and Tues ,Wed as on Thursday she and Gareth are going ot Slovenia for a few days.Hannah has booked it as a surprise treat for Gareth. The big thing they will be doing is one of these long Zip Wire rides.I think it is 2 or 3 miles long in all !!!!!! Not in one go . Rather them than me !!!!.
It does look amazing though with spectacular views . I think if you wanted google this just google 'Zip wire Bled,Slovenia' and there is a video. Gareth will be totally in his element doing this. He won't know where they are going until they get to the airport
:-D I am not even supposed to even know as Hannah said I would let it slip to Gareth.
(Chris told me
:-D) Hannah knows me too well :-D :-D :-S

Evening all

I keep getting the error page and can't get to the end of the thread so I haven't read any posts. Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow.

It's the 10th anniversary of my nan passing away so I've been a bit upset today.

I decided to try and take my mind of it and do a bit more on Sandra's little garden, thankfully the weather has been dry all day with a bit of sun every now and then which took the chill off the air. OH and I have built the make shift planter so that's all in place and screwed to the fence so it's secure and won't fall forwards with all the weight of the wood. All we need to do now is put a few pieces of wood along the edges at the top to hide the tatty bits of wood inside that we used to screw the nicer outside bits to, then OH can paint it and I can put some nice plants in there. I've decided to re-pot some of the plants so they will be raised and go above the top of the planter, then we're taking Sandra shopping for some flowers and a few bits and bobs of her choosing to decorate it all with, then of course I'll buy the lights and then it'll all be finished. At least the main woodwork it out of the way so there's not much left to do. You should of seen the massive smile on Sandra's face when we showed it to her after clearing up and making it look nice, she's absolutely made up with it. All we need now is a few nice days, weather wise, to finish it off for her.

I don't know what happened but when I was typing my laptop said I didn't have a connection, luckily it came back on and my post was still here, but I'd better post it incase it happens again, this is the second time it's happened in the last few days.

Afternoon all

Thanks for the pictures Mel. I have never seen anything like that egg. I showed it to OH who spent much of his childhood on a farm and he had never seen the like either. Amazing! Even though I am a real wuss where chickens are concerned I thought Daisy and May looked cute. I am sure your handmade bits and bobs will sell well. You are all so clever with your hands. I am the original Miss Fumblefingers.

I am glad your foot is feeling better Frank. I wonder what the problem was. Perhaps it was something to do with arthritis or perhaps you had just lain awkwardly and put some pressure on it. Ros's theatre ticket was pricey but sadly these days they are expensive, even in the provinces. We love theatre but don't go very much these days because of the cost. If we wanted to see something in the West End, by the time we had paid for train fares, seats and maybe something to eat, we would be saying goodbye to between £200 and £300. I am glad you enjoyed your scallops and prawns. They wouldn't have suited me as I am allergic to shellfish and the tiniest bit makes me very sick with terrible stomach cramps.

Talking of theatre, I think I might have enjoyed the show you saw in London Jane. One of my favourite musicals is Rent which wouldn't be to everyone's taste either. I've seen it 3 times now, all amateur productions but all excellent. The next thing we are going to see is in Yorkshire and is the local operatic society junior section's production of Tommy, The Who's rock opera. One of my granddaughters is playing Tommy's mother, the only really big female part in it. She is 17 now and has a wonderful voice. Last year she played Mimi in their production of Rent and the year before she was Fantine in Les Mis.

I hope OH's acid reflux has calmed down now Ann. Tell him to keep off the mince pies, or at least to eat them in the morning and give them a chance to be digested before he has to lay down. Does he have anything he can take for the problem?

It hasn't been a bad day here today, mostly overcast with a bit of sun here and there and only a few spots of rain. I should have been doing a bit more gardening but we have been talking about replacing some things in the house so decided to see what we could find. We were looking for a new vacuum cleaner, lightweight with a detachable bit to do the stairs, a new desktop computer, and a new sofa. What did we come home with? 5 large pots of violas and a china giraffe with an imitation succulent plant in its back :-D

Well, I see I have written half a book again and it is about time I went and did the bit of ironing that needs doing and sorted out something for tonight's meal. I had thought we might have our main meal out at lunchtime but in the end we only had a quick sandwich so I shall have to get something a bit more substantial.

Hope you enjoyed your Pasties Mel, We have just had Pattie on toast with COT for Madam and COC for me.

The new girls look very nice Mel, did you say they are just the age for egg laying. How long do they lay for. ??

Yes, AnneG. it was weatherspoons they went too. To be honest I didn't know there was one locally. Will have to try it one of these weeks. The saga of my Daughter goes back many years. When I was in the motor trade, her car packed up. She came to me for help, I was able to give her a car that I paid for. Within weeks she was back on to me asking for money for a holiday. for her and the children. She and her husband were on a BREAK. He was having an affair with a waitress. I was not able to afford a holiday for Ros and I that year, so there was no way I was going to help her. She took TUT and never spoke to me from that day. So yes, I do miss not knowing her and the children whereabouts, and if the children are married and I have Great Grand Children.
Still very breezy here, but certainly not cold. I have just been out to the bins, and thought how mild it was.

Got my book on charge. so nothing to do for now.


;-) ;-) ;-)

Washing machine just finished and I put it on the line and it started raining. B last its been quite sunny this morning with a few light showers but now its clouded right over. Sods law I suppose.

I have cleaned the little loo and washed the dustbin out. tied up the bin bag so thats ready to go out for tomorrow. Washing is on the line under cover so I hope it drys a bit as there is still quite a breeze.

Luchtime now and we are having Cornish pasties....... :-D :-D :-D

O I'm pleased the foot is better today Frank and that you had a good nights sleep and enjoyed your fishy dinner. That was expensive for the tickets for the show but I expect Ros enjoyed the meal afterwards anyway. A good night out then in all.

Did I tell you what the chickens are? I can't remember but if I did'nt they are Columbian Blacktails the same as my old ones. They are coming out more now but still being picked on by the old ones if they get in their way.

Frank, tuesday is steak day at Wetherspoons so it was probably there that they ate, sounds about right for the price. glad you enjoyed your meal, it sounded really nice. Just my sort of food. And pleased to hear that your foot is ok now. And that you had a good sleep.
What a shame that you don't hear from daughter or grandsons, so sad when there is a split in the family.

Good morning to you all,

The foot is back to normal, thank goodness. Ros seemed to think I had GOUT in my foot before, so it might have been that. That is a form of ARTHRITIS isn't it. ??

I was in bed and asleep by 9.00 pm last night, woke at 4.00 for the loo, and back to sleep until 7.30 am. So I had an excellent nights sleep. I feel quite limp, and sleepy this morning.

Ros and the girls had a meal in one of the big chain breweries last night. (Just can't think of the name.) Anyway they all had Sirloin steaks with all the trimmings, with a drink for £7.60 each, which that all thoroughly enjoyed, and said what good value it was.

Calendar Girls was very boring in the first half (Ros's Opinion) but livened up after the interval. She said they were home around 11.00 pm. I didn't know the tickets were so expensive £44.00 for a seat in the stalls. I hope you enjoy it on Thursday Jane, new you going with Fitz ??

Thanks for the photo's Mel. That EGG did look strange, but it was edible, thats the main thing. The clouds were very strange, did it clear away ??

I fried the new potato's to have with my Scallops, and I had a pot of PRAWNS with the shells on, to go with them. What a treat. !!!

Nice bright morning here with sunshine and clouds. Theres a bit of a breeze, but not cold with it.

It's my grandsons 30th Birthday today. I have left a birthday wish on FB, not that I know if he will see it. I do wonder how the three boys are, and where they are living. Simon hasn't any contact with them either. That daughter od mine is certainly something else. I wonder if I will ever hear from her in my lifetime. :-( :-( :-(

Liver and Onions tonight ,with mash and peas. It will make a nice change, from roast meats and veg. I have chicken fillets out for tomorrow, which I will casserole. Talk about thinking ahead. !!!

Have a pleasant day, whatever you are doing. xxxx

The new girls look happy and they are in good condition as well Mel. Are they settled now?

~Done it~

How our Frank this mornng? Is the foot any better?

I have just taken a couple of pics of the new girls and will send them now.