General Chat

Afternoon All,

We had rain in the night but there are nice sunny spells at the moment but OH says it is supposed to rain later. I slept well too and didn't wake till 8.00am. We decided on impulse not to go to the usual sunday carvery that hasn't been so good lately and had a breakfast at the farm shop instead! They will mix and match your items so I could avoid sausages and hash browns that are the most fattening and have my eggs poached. We carried on to the factory shop after for a look round, but I'd forgotten to measure my shelves I want some of their baskets for.

That was a marquee I wouldn't have wanted to put up Vera.....huge! I think Oliver is one of my favourites and it was nice you got to meet your grandson's girlfriend and that she has a sense of humour which always breaks any ice. Life can be dull if you don't see the funny side of it and you can soon tell if someone isn't used to it.

Chris sounds like Frank Jane doing things like the gutters when he is home alone! He was lucky he didn't fall and crack his head on something. Is the bench repairable? How is the coffee stain now it's dry? My OH never cleans things like that properly, just a quick wipe over. OH came up with a sobering comment the other day. He said 'look around and every person we see or know or who exists in the world right now won't be here in 120 years.' The only people still alive on my first wedding photo family group are me, my SIL and 2 nephews and niece.

That's still disappointing for Ros that they can't do anymore for her Frank. Still, who knows what new treatments might be round the corner. She does so well considering the pain and discomfort she must have.

How nice to make some bedding for Lacey's pram Mandy! I flit here and there on my projects too as you know. I think if you aren't in the mood for something it's best to leave it and do something you do fancy doing and then go back to it when you are less tired/more patient. That's my excuse anyway. :-)

How are the 2 new girls today Mel and what kind are they? My sister's middle name was May as was my paternal grandmother's middle name. We never knew that till I started doing FH.

Gill, you are gradually getting there with Sandra's new 'view' from her window. It's good to be able to use some of your wood too.

I finished my tree early at the class yesterday, as did my two friends that went, but a few others didn't manage to. It was such a big class she had set up 2 rooms with big tables for us. I had 2 small cakes, but there were no choccies, crisps or nibbles this time.

Good afternoon all. I had a not very good night last night. Did manage about four hours of sleep but it doesn't feel as if that was enough.
We have been to Dobbies only bought a couple of things plant related, both reduced to half price then more off with our Dobbies premium card (plus 2 free coffees). I did pick up three small stocking filler type gifts. We bought a tray of pansies and a sedum that has small pink flowers all over the cushion, it was reduced because some of the flowers were dying off but it will be good for next year and £4.99 sounds a lot better than £9.99. It is a sort of round mound of a plant, like a cushion about 6 inches diameter.
Gill I paid particular attention to the michaelmas daisies (which the garden centres call asters). They had the taller ones in about five different colours and they also had the dwarf variety in either mauve or pink so you need to look in your GC, they are for planting now.

It is sunny and a bit nippy here today so far, I think it might rain later and it did rain in the night but the East was forecast to get the residue of the latest hurricane I think. Hope you all drty out soon with no flooding.

Vera, that sounds different, theatre in a tent, a HUGE tent by the sound of it. How did they keep it warm I wonder. Nice for you to meet up with family as well and meet Grandson's girlfriend.
We have our heating coming on now although I must admit we usually do in October, just from 4.30pm and an hour or so in the morning.

Mel, do the new chicks seem as if they are going to settle. do you have to keep them separate from the older ones? I envy you the eggs but not the hassle of keeping them, they are a tie unless there is somebody who can feed them etc if you go away.

Mandy hope you too dry out soon, rain is horrible because everything is drab and dark. Still we can't survive without it I suppose, just don't want quite so much. Yet I did see one area has declared a drought!!! Wonder how that works?
Awe she does want her bag finished. I think it is best to switch to something new if you get bored with making something, otherwise that is when mistakes happen.

Gosh a tent that seats 800, that must have been some super dooper tent or marquee. Did you enjoy the show though? Glad you have another good sleep Vera and I laughed too at Chris falling through the seat. :-D

Mandy yes I have named them they are Daisy and May. It makes me cross when I start something else when I hav'nt finished the first thing I started but I keep doing it!!!!! I get it into my head I want to try something and it goes on from there so I end up with lots of things started and not finished. I do it all the time so hav'nt learnt my lesson yet. :-|

Morning Vera you popped in while I was posting :-)
Sounds as if you have the same weather as us .
That's nice your grandsons girl friend was an easy going young lady it can be hard going to have to keep the conversation going .
That was some tent to seat 800 !! I hope this rain doesn't flood them out .

Morning Mel, morning all,

I think it's been raining most of the night and at the moment it's absolutely tipping it down, son rang to say they won't be turning out which I don't blame them no point in getting soaked when you don't have too.

Mel have you named the two new girls yet ?they don't know how lucky they are yet moving into Mels place :-D

They were nice photos Jane I bet the gin went down a treat , hope there wasn't to much of a stain on the carpet with the coffee spillage.

I think we're having a nice lazy day today ,I might try and get Katie's crochet bag done ,every time she comes she asks if its finished, but I've been making some bedding for Lacey's pram that she's having for Christmas ,so I've been a bit naughty not getting the bag done .

Morning Mel and everyone

No sunshine here Mel. Dark, cold and very, very wet. It’s been pouring non-stop since the middle of the night. I try not to put our heating on till at least the middle of October but it’s been so cold over the last few days that we’ve put it on today. We have underfloor heating downstairs and it’s more efficient to just leave it on, so it won’t go off now till sometime in May.

I had a good night again last night and slept from about midnight till 7 am.

Another appointment mix up at the hospital then Frank. That is so annoying. I was sorry to hear that there is no more help available for Ros. It’s wonderful how much she manages to do. It must be down to grit and determination.

Two new girls then Mel. I am sure they will soon feel at home. I don’t know much about chickens. When would you expect them to start laying?

Jane, I am pleased your trip to Plymouth went as well as you could have hoped. It was the right decision to go. I hope Chris doesn’t have any more mishaps. I know I shouldn’t laugh as the poor man hurt his knee but I did have a funny picture of him falling through the bench, like something out of an old silent comedy.

Gill, you have been working hard sorting all the wood for Sandra’s garden. It will be a picture when it’s all finished. Send us some photos please when it is done.

We went to see the musical Oliver last night in a tent! The theatre at Colchester is being renovated and extended so they are currently operating from a pop up tent. Some tent!!! It is huge. It seats about 800 and has a big foyer and bar area. I thought it might be chilly so I went wearing a thin jumper, a lambs wool cardigan and a fleece but they had really good heating so I had to gradually strip off. The best thing was that granddaughter came from Cambridge and grandson and his girlfriend were there too, so I got to meet her at last (we were supposed to meet her in July but we had to cancel as OH was still poorly at that stage). She seems a really nice girl, very easy to talk to and with a good sense of humour.

We belong to a club locally and one of the ex members died recently. Then yesterday another ex-member passed away. It’s very sad when you start losing your contemporaries. I feel very sorry for the husband of the lady who died yesterday as he is now all alone in the world. Their only daughter died when she was about 30 and the only other relative is a nephew of the husband who doesn’t even speak to him. OH helps this man when he can, driving him to hospital appointments, setting up a new phone system for him, teaching him how to use a new microwave he had bought and so on. He’s only a couple of years older than OH but he seems to belong to another generation.

On that cheerful note I had better finish this post. Hope you all have a good day. Bye for now :-)

Morning all,

We have sunshine today and blue sky with big white clouds every so often.

Not been round to the girls yet but must soon to make sure they are alright. I have seen the old ones in the run but not sure if the new ones know what the outside is like as they were in a shed when I picked them up so they may stay indoors for a while if thats what they are used to.

How did everyone sleep last night?? I went out like a light and only got up once for the loo. Must have been the wine..... :-D

On the way home from the chicken farm the bead shop was open in Black Torrington so I popped in and bought another cooper wire spool at £3.50. When I got home I looked in one of my tool boxes and there was the orignal copper wire I was looking for all that time. So now I have two spool to lose..........

Frank sorry that Ros can’t get any other treatment. At least you know now so won’t have false hopes. She does wonders considering her back problems.

Jane yes it was Virgin Atlantic and it was for us when we flew back from Miami, really worth it on a long flight. We were lucky when we did it as there was an auction for reduced seats and we won ours.

You have just made OH smile and me laugh out loud with your description of poor Chris falling through the bench. It was the end of the sentence that mad me laugh. “It was a lovely bench too” never mind his poor knee.

I also chuckled although shouldn’t about you not seeing anybody you knew in Wembury ...... because they are probably all dead now. A bit like if we revisit Buckfastleigh.

O dear Jane you now have a Calamity Chris and I wonder what the next thing will be?? Things usually come in threes. Hope the carpet is ok when it dries out.

So you've been seeing celebrities over the last few days. Sounds like you enjoyed your pasties. Did you bring any home with you for the freezer??? Loved the pics you sent too. Any more for us to see.

I have just been round and put the two new girls in the hen house. Took one out of the carrying box but I could'nt reach in for the other one so left the box open on the floor. Hope they are ok. I shall be thinking of them all night now. I am so silly with them and I do love my chickens.

It started raining just as I was going out. Now I shall have to get the dinner on. The usual steak tonight and a nice bottle of wine, luverly......

AnnG is it Virgin Atlantic your Daughter flew with? We used them when we flew to Tokyo and went one up from economy. I think it mght have been premium economy. Well worth it for such a long flight.I bet they have lots to tell you about their fantastic holiday :-D

How big is the shifter planter going to be Gill? It sounds quite big.Its going to be wonderful when it is all done and Sandra will be thrilled :-D

Chris had 2 disasters while I was away :-S A whole cup of coffee spilled on the study carpet. Light coloured carpet too :-0 :-0 I am not sure what damage is done as it is still wet from him cleaning it.
The other disaster was he stood on a bench on the patio to get some moss out of the gutter and the seat of the bench just collapsed .So he went down through the middle and has hurt one of his knees. It was a lovely seat too :-S

Afternoon Everyone

Its good to be home. I seem to have been away for ages what with the weekend in London, just one day home and then off to Plymouth.
As I said in my email with the pics I am glad I decided to go as I know my friend was really pleased to see me. I wont be seeing her again though which is the saddest thing. Her daughter said that she has gone downhill quite a bit in just a week and i am sure this is how is is going to continue now. The Hospice is a lovely place and so peaceful which is just what she needs . She needs calm and her daughter is so full on and loud and hyperactive which I know is too much for Sue.Plus her daughter has her St Bernard dog at the house.It is a small house !!!!

Seeing my other friend was good. The last time she saw James he was 2 years old!!!!
When we left her we bought a couple of pasties from a shack at the side of the road and ate them in the car.They were blooming 'andsome me dears :-D Called' Hell of a Pasty'

The weather on Wednesday was just amazing so sunny and warm. We went for a coffee to a local country house hotel near my old village. As we were sat outside who should be walking along beside us ....... Will Young !!!!! I think most of you might know who he is but just in case singer /performer. I think he might have won Pop Idol some years back. He was with his manager and had stayed at the hotel the night before. He had a rather nice sporty Mercedes.

On the way home yestreday we stopped at Gloucester Services(AnnG) and had some lunch.I had a bit of a browse around the shop and bought some great sausages and 3 Breton Pies (some kind of chicken pies).I think they have cider and mustard.Will find out later when we have them for dinner :-D

Today I been food shopping. I think Chris must have beeen living on fresh air. Bothe fridges were just about empty. actually he ate out on tuesday and had ready meals wed and thurs. Last night we had a chinese hoem delivery.

So two new little girls Mel :-D :-D I am sure they will soon be settled in and begin repaying you :-D :-D Love the pics of the Hares and Deer. I haven't seen a Hare for a long time around here.

Frank, Ros has been really mucked around with those appointments at the Woodlands .That is so bad. I am sorry though that there is nothing that will help her back. I know you weren't really expecting anything but hoping that there might just be new available for her.

Sorry I missed birthday wishes to Colin . I did not take my lap top with me to Plymouth.

AnnG you will have to have a little trip down there again :-D. I really enjoyed being back down on my old beach again and poking around the Barbican.On Wednesday evening we went back to Wembury and had dinner at the village Pub. I didnt see anyone I knew. I think they are all dead now :-( How sad it that. I do have one old school friend in the village but she was not at home when I called in.

Well the heating is on. I think the warm evenings are over.There is a definite nip in the air .

Had a good run to Cheltenham, we needed to find Nation Wide's building as OH needed to change his mobile number now that is used as a security check so we did that, had coffee in M&S and I bought a couple of the tops I wear under sweaters in the colder months then had lunch in Wetherspoons, I had a small scampi and OH had the manager's special which was mixed grill for £4.99, two or three pieces of thin cut steak, On piece of gammon, chips, mushroom, tomato and peas. Very good value and the meat was very tender apparently.
Just hear daughter and son in law are home from USA, ten hour journey but they managed to sleep a bit as they had upgraded to one above cattle class on their Virgin flight, as we did the last time we flew with them. Pleased to hear they are safely home anyway.

Afternoon all

Dull now after a sunny start to the day.

OH and I have been sorting out all the wood we have to see what we've got to build the make shift planter for Sandra's garden. Boy was that a job, we had so many bits and pieces to go through but now it's been sorted we know what we can use and what we can't. I did managed to cut the long lengths for the front of the planter and the bits of wood we need to join the 4 lengths together, plus we found 4 pieces for the corners. We would of made a start on building it if the rain hadn't started, but at least some of it's cut now and where the wood was kept is tidier so that's good.

Thanks for letting me know about the Michaelmas Daisies Ann, I'll take a look at the garden centre next time I'm there, I need to go for Sandra's bits and bobs and there is a water center next door we'd like to go to for the aquatic lights we're hoping to use. All we need now is a few nice days to build the planter part then we can start putting all the pretty things in for her. I don't think your posts are to long, I love reading them they are always so interesting.

Love the photo's Jane, it looked like you had nice weather. I'm glad you had a nice time with your friend, it must of been a bit of shock to see her so weak though, but it sounds like you both enjoyed each other's company and it would of meant a lot to her seeing you.

I forgot I'd recorded the craft programme Mel, so it's a good job you mentioned it, I might watch it later if OH and Sandra don't have anything they'd like to watch. Love the pics you sent. I had to smile at one of the deer ones, it looked like it had seen you and was posing for the camera. ;-) ;-) It sounds like you saw quite a few animals in your garden yesterday, I do envy you, we only have a few birds and the odd squirrel, Sandra would love to see all the wildlife you have and so would I. :-)
How lovely to have two new girls and like you said they'll pay for themselves in time.

Oh Frank, poor Ros having yet another appointment cancelled and not to be told. If it was me I'd ring before I left home to make sure the appointment is still going ahead. Sorry to hear there is nothing more that can be done for her back, Love the way you describe your lie in when you were awake most of the night, but if you feel better for it that's good.

Hope you had a good nights sleep last night Vera, I'm sure the hot bath would of helped.

I did quite well on OH's tree last night so I'm going to take another quick look now before dinner.

I have been out and bought myself two new girls!!!!!! so I am £30 lighter now but they will pay for themselves in the long run. They are only 20 weeks old so point of lay but I don't think they are laying yet as their cones are still pink. They look so sleak after the old ones I get from the farm down the road. I did'nt have to go too far and was there in plenty of time and left before my appointment to pick them up at 3pm

I am now going to c lean the house out ready to put them in tonight.

Good to see you Frank as we were getting worried about you....XXXX

Good morning to you all, My apologies for not being around yesterday.

Thursday evening, We left at 4.30 to go to the Woodlands for Ros's appointment for 5.50.. struggling with over an hour of Traffic tail to tail, we arrived. ONLY TO BE TOLD the appointment had been cancelled on the 12th Sept. And the newline was made for 10.30 Yesterday morning. Thats TWICE this had happened, and I was not a "HAPPY BUNNIE" and told the receptions so.

When Ros got home from Stitchery she made a chicken curry. She had hers before we went to Kettering, so that she would be able go to Choir on time.

Anyway, Carolyn went with her yesterday. It turns out as we had already surmised, that there is nothing more he can do for her back. Not even injections, as they would interfere with the STENTS. So it just leaves her to LIVE WITH IT. Not the best outcome, but one we will have to live with. What with her ailments and my bad legs and shoulders, we are a right old pair of crocks. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Had a reasonable night last night, once I had been to bed and got up for two hours. I read and watched T.V. until 3.00 am then slept until 8.30, So had a lie in. LOL LOL

How did your trip to Plymouth go Jane. I hope it wasn't to upsetting for either of you. xx

Ros has changed the BED AGAIN this morning. It seems she does it more often, than I think it needs. But who am I to complain. So nice cold cotton sheets to get into tonight.

Weather forecast isn't good for the weekend, tomorrow is expected to be very wet and windy. So get your jobs done today girls. No plans for me today. So it will be a boring old day as usual. xxxx

Morning AnnG. Whats the weather like with you?

Went out in the garden and watched a sparrow taking a bath, a busy squirrel burying something in the orchard where there was a pigeon with a baby following it for food and a nuthatch climbing the ash tree.

Where is our Frank I am getting worried now.

Theyare pretty though Mel but like Magpies greedy, dull here too we are in M&S in Cheltenham

Morning all,

Grey skies nothing but grey skies do I see. There's that fine rain too.

I have seen the hare again this morning when I looked out the bedroom window and then I saw a Jay picking something up out of the long grass which could have been a baby frog. I don't like the Jay's as they are cruel, theives and noisy.