General Chat

CCTV cameras are not that expensive OH has put four of them round this house.
Annx early September before schools here go back. No hope of getting in the garden here until it dries out a bit.

It's not surprising you are on edge Mandy, it's a very unsettling thing to happen. I wondered with excess to pay if it would be worth claiming on the insurance. I hope Colin's repair on the pool works. I wonder if they were after the pool as it sounds like they were trying to empty it with taking the pipe off? Maybe it was just to cause you problems though with them cutting it as well. Yes they were obviously carrying knives weren't they. I know when I used to find things like chisel marks on the window frames at my old house when I lived on my own I was nervous afterwards. I think we need to beef up a bit on security here since they built the little estate nearby. I've noticed the 2 bungalows opposite leave their outside lights on all night since the hot tub on the little estate was stolen and they used our close.

Mamndy we all understand so don't worry about commenting on th posts. It would be great if they were on the church CCTV. Will you ask the church warden if you can look?

I have washed my hair and ironed the pillow cases and t shirt for oh and now I am starting dinner. Lamb chops new pots and long beans from the garden and a couple of mushrooms for oh. I'm not bothered about mushrooms.

No we didn't hear a peep out of Max but it was down the garden where they came over the wall so if they stayed that way he wouldn't have heard them .
We do have insurance for garden things but at the moment Colin has been putting patches on as it is fairly straight slashes so we're hoping that will hold ,we'll know tomorrow when he tops it up if they will leak or not ,we did think about claiming but by the time we pay the excess and then they will put the insurance up next year we decided to leave it ,but if it does leak we might change our minds .
The copings on top of the wall Colin can do ,but it's just the thought that some one has been in our space ,the place where we have the children and sit out and that he must have had a knife as the cuts were so clean so it wasn't done with a screw driver or any thing .
Nothing on next doors CCTV but i did mention to the policeman that there was CCTV on the church but we don't know if it spans out over to our wall .

Sorry not to comment on any of today's posts but i haven't been able to settle to do much today i have felt quite jittery and on edge .

There was me wondering how you managed to fix the shell Mel. Silly me. Yes it must have been wishful thinking as you say. Still it won't be long will it! That happens to me with the bed changing too. I can't hold the duvet up very easily to shake the stuffing down on my own and getting the fitted bottom sheet on means going from one side to the other, much easier if there's two of you, but where is he when I need him! He says shout him, but then doesn't hear and walking about looking for him just aggravates my knees at times, so I struggle on like you.

Yes, I did think it would have to be a carefully worded letter Jane, but you are right in that she may have felt it was a goodbye letter. Difficult one isn't it, but sending a nice card would show you are thinking of her. :-)

O my goodness Mandy what a thing to have done to the pool!!!!!!! Did'nt Max bark????? Where's the guard dog when you need him? Its good the other shed was locked but its so horrid to think someone has been into your space. I know I don't like being up the potting shed on my own now since we had the break in years ago.

I hope it will be covered by the house insurance and you may be able to get new for old???

I have had a busy day. I started to strip the bed an dget that washed and I knew oh wanted to go and get petrol for the mowers and then just as I fed the chickens before going Di turned up so we had coffee and a chat and she left a bit earlier than normal so we could go for the petrol.

We then went to Hatherleigh for that and came back and had lunch. Then I made the bed and oh went mowing the top field. He's getting it ready for the dog show on the 26th.

I did the washing up and then watered things in my shed brought down the box from up the top and finished off the bed just as oh came in and asked if I wanted a hand. Typical. It takes me ages to do the bed as its a king size and I am only 5' 2" and if he's in he holds one end up and can give it a nice shake and get it over the bed in one go whereas I have to walk round and round it to get it on properly.

So many post to read.

Our children don't go back to school till the begining of Sept either. I think that must have been wishfull thinking Ann.

Also its not a shell for the unicorn horn its material. I did think about using a shell on some other things I have in mind.

Afternoon Everyone
Thanks for all you kind words regarding my friend Sue. It is just a shock as things have happened so quickly. Her Daughter said that the Drs were trying to decide if there might be any suitable treatment but it seems that this cancer is so aggressive ,I am not sure if time is against her.

Ann I did send a card last week .The idea of a letter is a great idea,but I would worry she would realise it might be a goodbye letter (if you get my meaning). I did find a photo of the 2 of us aged 18 and 16 when we were living and working in Athens. Both in very short mini skirts knee length boots and midi coats :-D That was the winter in 1972. How long ago !!! and how young we were :-D We had plenty of fun on our days off even a bit of mischief LOL If our parents only knew what we got up too they would have turned grey :-D

Pippyn, Chris was here yesterday when I was so upset but I was outside on the phone and James just happened to be beside me .So he didnt know about the call until he came outside and realised something was up. I do have 2 lovely supportive men in my life.

Mandy I am sorry you have had the damage to the pool and the wall. It is good though that you reported the break in as you have a Crime Number. This would help if you make a claim on your insurance .I take it the pool is now now longer useable. Do you know if it was just your place targeted ? I would have thought Max might have heard the intruders.Or is he one of these dogs that will sleep through anything :-D It was probably as someone else said people trying to get some things to sell to feed a drug habit. I hope that it hasn't spooked you too much and that you will be able to sleep tonight. <3

AnnG ,it won't be long before you are off again will it
:-DThis time to much better weather :-D. Glad you enjoyed your few days.

So OH is driving Vera :-D.. This is brilliant. I do understand how nervous you must have been though . But it sounds as though you have no need to worry now. It will have done him good to know that he doesn't have to rely on you for the driving now. Bit like Chris and Me :-D. It is so good just get in the car now and drive wherever I need to on my own :-D I can shop without him looking at everything I get and saying "do we really need that" :-D :-D

The weather has mostly been good today other than a huge downpour earlier. Chris had been cutting a hedge . He managed to cause the electric to short out on the oven ,the house phone ,washing machine and doorbell when the wires came loose or something on the hedge cutter. But all is back to normal now :-D

Mel the pics of the Deer were brill :-D

So it is a new tumble dryer then Gill. That makes sense ot get a new one if having it repaired will cost as much.

Frank, fancy droping your trousers in front of the nurse :-D :-D :-D Good that she was happy that you have put on a little bit of weight,and also good that you have made an appointment to see the Doc :-D How long have we all been saying you need to do this !!!. :-D

I need to phone a friend now as she will be wondering where I am . I should have rung her at the weekend. BBL

You are right Pippin, they haven't gone back here yet either. I asked OH as he does clerking at several schools since he retired so knows. The schools round here do have earlier half term holidays than elsewhere though and the next county has different summer holidays too as it causes parents problems when they have children at school in both counties!

Vera, it sounds as if he is doing a lot better now and it will help if he feels his independence coming back with going off in the car on his own......as long as he's careful doing things like getting in and out of the car! I would enjoy your talk you are going to tonight. I like anything like that.

We watched a prog about Ada Lovelace we'd recorded last night. I've been interested in her since we found a memorial to her in the nearby church at Kirkby Mallory. She lived at the hall there with her mother as a young girl. Sadly that disappeared and Mallory Park racetrack is on the land now.

We were lucky we got the washing out and dried early this morning as we have had several heavy downpours since. Mr O opposite was at home and was washing the car in purple marigolds while it was raining. It wasn't dirty that you could see either. The Police helicopter was circling over our bungalow and the field behind for about an hour which it often does when something has happened on the motorway.

I was hoping to get on the garden to plant a few things but there's no chance now it's sodden. I've been looking for a little local magazine I picked up when we were at lunch last week, but suspect I've chucked it out. Someone was advertising the 6 foot long raised wooden trough and cover, still all boxed and it was about half price. It's just what we planned to buy to go where the raised beds are. :-S

I have not been able to get on from after I posted this morning and only got on now by logging in separately from my book marked way in.

Mandy what a horrid experience. Why, when they break in to steal do they vandalise for the sake of it. I wonder how they got over the wall from the other side if they needed the seat from the garden side.. do you have your garden things, pool etc insured?

Vera, good to see you getting a bit of social life back.

Got to go and sort out why I couldn't get on hopefully back later.

Oh dear Mandy, what a horrid shock for you. Quite apart from the cost of the damage and all the hassle, it's the thought that someone has invaded your home. While any crime is terrible at least you can see a reason for someone to steal, to get the goods or the money, but I can't see why anyone would just want to cause damage. Sending you a cyber (((((((hug))))))).

Jane, I hope your friend is comfortable and being kept free from pain. Even if she doesn't want to see anyone she will know that she's in your heart and mind and will be comforted.

I was just going to write that it has been sunny but breezy here today when I realised it was raining, so I've just dashed out to get the washing in. I got soaked before I had got half in so I have had to leave the rest out. It'll have to go in the dryer later.

I've had quite a productive day. Changed the bedding, did 3 loads of washing, finished last week's ironing, dusted and vacuumed all the upstairs of the house and have done several silly little jobs that I have been putting off.

OH did a couple of short drives at the end of last week but I was with him to take over if necessary. Today he went off on his own. It was only to pick up a friend from a garage about 5 miles away after friend took his car in for a service but I was a nervous wreck till he got back. Isn't that stupid? I know he wouldn't have gone if he didn't feel able and he doesn't really want me nursemaiding him but I can't help thinking "What if..." He has just gone out again to take friend back to the garage to pick his car up.

We are both going to a short talk tonight on the Black Death in this area. It doesn't sound very cheerful but I have heard this speaker before and he is very good. It's only a couple of minutes down the road from us so OH feels he can make it too which is good. There's a way to go yet but things are beginning to get back to something like normality and we are getting a bit of a social life back.

Forgot to say I love the deer photos Mel.

EDIT: Had the error message indicating that my post hadn't gone but when I checked it was there twice!! Is GR having one of its mad moments?

Goodness Mandy, so sorry to hear about your break in. Not sure that the police will catch who did it though!! I do hope that the pool is repairable. ,A quiet day here after our lovely but hectic weekend! Our grandson really enjoyed his time with us, got his project almost finished, he just has to write it up neatly and do a bit of map drawing! He helped OH with clearing up the hedge clippings which saved me a job! He wanted to use the hedge clipper, but was firmly told No!
I think it's only the Scottish schools that go back today Ann, as they break up earlier than schools in England and Wales. Our grandson goes back on Sept 4th!
Sunny here so a gentle walk this afternoon!
Hope everyone has a nice day.

Oh Mandy I'm so sorry to hear of all the damage done in your garden, I hope they catch who ever did it, but it'll be hard without video evidence from your neighbours camera. Can you claim on your insurance for the damage? I should imagine it will cost quite a lot to fix everything, especially your pool. I hope everything can be sorted soon for you all. Sending a big hug from Sandra and I <3 <3

It's a good job Barry noticed the spark from your lawn mower Frank, that could of led to a nasty accident. What a shame it couldn't be fixed, hope you find another one soon. It sounds like you've had a lovely time with family lately.

Oh Mandy, I just saw your post and what a shock to find people have been over your wall and caused the damage to your pool and wall. Why do they do these things? It sounds like they were looking for things to steal and sell. It makes me really angry as no-one is that poor these days, no starving like in times gone by. That just leaves drug or other habits to fund or greed. Then it seems they have to trash something when they can't find anything. I hope there is some CCTV somewhere near or up the road that has caught them on camera.

Afternoon All,

Sun's peeping through but not very strongly. I was still awake at 4.00am this morning, so then ended up sleeping in. :-S

That is sad about your old friend Jane. Could you write her a nice letter with a pretty card and whizz it off to her to let her know what a good friend she is and of some memories together? Her daughter could read it to her if she can't and it may put some happy thoughts in her head.

When do you think James will know about any redundancy? I hope he hears soon as I wouldn't be able to enjoy a break with that hanging over me. It was nice of Hannah to suggest it though and hopefully she will be able to help him with ideas and thoughts for his next steps if he does get made redundant. She seems to be a very proactive, get on with things person.

Lovely photos of the deer with that sweet little fawn Mel and I liked your bag.....good idea to use the shell as a horn!

Glad you had a nice time and saw some of the family Ann. I'm always glad to get the washer on when I get back from a break. As you say, even a short stay seems to generate extra washing.

Gill I think you will enjoy Paddington. OH and I went to see both of the films and enjoyed them. It's a shame about your dryer. Could you get a quote first? It seems a bit drastic that a start button costs as much as a new machine. It isn't that old is it.

It's good Sally liked her present Frank. I'm surprised the carvery was so busy that time of day. Round here things are usually quiet after 2.30pm and I would hate to have to queue. Some are so slow deciding what they want as well. We are glad the children are back at school today as they race about when people are carrying plates of hot food and their parents say nothing. They are as bad as the children shouting as well.

Off to do a few errands now.

Morning all,

Jane I'm really sorry to hear about your dear friend ,it's so sad to think you'll not see her again and lovely of James to be there for you to mop your tears <3

We've had quite a morning ,when I looked out this morning I could see the water level on the pool had really gone down and when I went out I could see why ,some body had been in the garden over night ,they had slashed a bit slit in the pool in two places and pulled the pipe off to the pump ,they had opened the wood shed door nothing to take in there and the main shed was locked so they couldn't get in there but they chucked Max's ball in the pool and stood my spray bottle that I have on to the cap of the wall .
They came over the six foot wall as they have dislodged the wall copings all the way along and went back over the wall by jumping on the garden seat .
Nothing taken just the damage .
Rang the police and reported it and got a crime number but it doesn't look like they will be out to look ,the neighbours security cameras only go to our fence ,I did ask them and they checked but nothing came up .

Oh phones ringing BBL

Good morning all, overcast and windy here. I walked to the Drs. for my injection this morning. Just as I arrived Ros was parking the car. So she bought me home. Louise the nurse was pleased with my weight, I have put on a little. I didn't have to pull down my trousers, for the injection, as I undid my belt, they fell to my ankles. lol lol. I have made an appointment to see a Doctor, after both Ros and Louise nagged me into it. My back, shoulders and neck, just don't give me any rest bite, so will see what they recommend. Moe tablets and creams no doubt. I don't think there is much they can do, that I am not doing myself. I am sure it's all down to my Arthritis.

We had very nice meal yesterday. I have never seen the place so busy. When we joined the queue we had to wait HALF AN HOUR to get served. The queue didn't seem to go down, and was still busy when we left at 4.45 pm. We didn't have a sweet as they had run out of ICE CREAM and Treacle pudding (that Ros fancied)

The journey back from Daventry is only about 29 minutes, and with the roads being quiet, it was no trouble getting home. Sally rang last night, she had just opened all her presents and was pleased with the necklace that Ros had bought her. My Niece and Nephew called round at Simon's before going home, and had a coffee.

How nice for James and Hannah having a little break together. I just couldn't see me doing that with any of my sisters. We were never that close, even my TWIN.

Bad, and sad news about your friend Jane, I hope when the time comes, that she doesn't suffer. I know we have all been through these experiences, but they are never a happy event. Where does she live. ??

It's Tracy's birthday today, so Ros has been round with a card and present. She is working in the Charity shop today, so I expect we will get a visit later to thank us.

Roast shoulder of lamb tonight, with Runners from Carolyn's allotment, fresh peas and carrots, and cabbage.and new potato's If theres any over it will do for me tomorrow, when Ros goes out on a Mystery Coach Trip, and a meal with Mothers club. They meet up at 6.15 pm at the Village Hall car park. So a nice evening on my own !!!!

Ros is just doing the next months tablets, then she will do the prescriptions, to replace all she is using now. Where do the months go. ???

Be good, and don't do anything I wouldn't. xxxx

Morning all

It was sunny here but there are lots of black clouds around so I expect we'll have some rain soon.

Sorry to hear about your friend Jane, that was nice of James to be there for you when you were so upset. How nice of Hannah to think about going away with her brother, it'l be nice for them to have some sibling time together.

It sounds like you've had a nice time away seeing your family AnnG. Pity about the rain though.

Love the pics Mel and your new make.

I see you had a good time with your family Frank, you did well to last till 10.30, hope the journey home was a good one and didn't take to long.

Yes, it's a nuisance about the dryer, OH had a word with someone who can fix it and was told it's something to do with the start button, it's going to cost almost the same as buying a new dryer to fix, so I'm going to see if the guarantee is still in force and give them a ring, if it isn't then we'll buy a new one.

Sandra had us watching lots of films I'd recorded yesterday, but we ran out of time to watch Paddington. I think it's the first one Jane as it didn't have the number 2 after it. Hopefully we'll get around to watching it today as OH is spending the day with his friend.

Morning AnnG and all,

Quite sunny and bright here this morning at times but there are white and grey clouds scudding across the sky. I hav'nt been out yet so not sure if its windy or not. The trees are moving so it must be windy. I have to sit here and be a good girl as oh is in the shower so I mustkeep away from the taps.

AnnG I am not in any hurry for the dies to be cut and shall have to fet some cards sorted for you to emboss the dandelions one. I just have to find a few cards. I will see how it goes as I have other parcels to post too but our post van only comes for a couple of hours so I usually miss it.

Gosh I am first this morning. Have read back but too many to answer so start again this morning. Good morning all back from 4 days in Hampshire, weather was a bit iffy at times, mainly Friday when it rained from 2pm until into the night. Still it was good to re-visit and to catch up with family, especially the young generation who all seem to be thriving.. Washing etc now today, even a weekend seems to generate extra washing. I am probably repeating myself here but too lazy to trawl back and see how much I said before.

Mel, are you going to want those dies cut? Only we go away on 31st for 2 weeks so would like to get them done and posted if you do. :-) :-)

Jane so sorry to hear about your friend and especially that you won’ be able to see her. So hard to lose friends especially those who are part of our youth or younger lives and have benn ‘there’ for ever.

Good that you had James there to support you as you have supported him. <3 <3