General Chat

Thanks for the pics Mel, I had a bit of trouble getting onto my emails, the password I used didn't work then I realised I was using the wrong one....silly me.

The pups are growing fast now aren't they Frank? It sounds like you had a right downpour of rain last night and got wet a few times. Hope it wasn't uncomfortable sitting around in wet clothes. At least it's brighter today for you, enjoy the BBQ later.

I didn't realise you had to pay for different things with the Tall Ships AnnG, it sounds much better having everything all included in the price now. I should imagine there would be quite a lot of walking involved to see them, good idea to give it a miss this time around and rest your foot. My back isn't to bad at the moment, so I think the painkillers are doing there job. It's more achy than painful now. It's a bit of a nuisance though as I can't do much and there were a few jobs I would of liked to have done in the garden today before the rain arrives tomorrow. Never mind the garden's not going anywhere, so the jobs can wait a bit longer.

Just watching the Chelsea Flower show I recorded last night, they are showing one of the garden's in the dark and it's all lit up, it looks beautiful and so different to the way it looks during the day.

Thanks for the photo Mel, none of the pups look particularly small so might be quite a large breed.

Frank make the most of the sun while you can but don't forget the sunscreen.

Gill, Ouch!!! hope your back eases soon, sounds like you have pulled a muscle. We have been to the garden centre and bought yet more plants to fill in gaps, OH is doing a bit now while I rest my leg. I shall do a bit this afternoon. We are also looking after next door's garden as theya re now away for a week.
The tall ships are interesting. we have been once, it is only held every 2-3 years but they have now made the entrance fee an all in one whereas it used to be so much to go in then so much to go on the ships. As we don't want to actually go on the ships which get so crowded you an't see a lot, we opted not to go this year. As it happens it is a good job we have not bought tickets as I don't think I would make it with my foot. It is quite a long walk to the docks before going round seeing it all. I think they have four really tall masters in plus other smaller ships.

No news from jane yet then.

Mandy I see you also had an exciting day planned, fruit and veg and Tesco. wow!! We called in to our local Tesco Metro for the paper and it was heaving. I think people have chosen to shop there rather than plow through the traffic that is grid locking Gloucester.

Ann is it today you are coming back? gosh that went quickly, hope your journey was/id ok and not too busy.

I have forwarded the pics of the pups to you all for Frank.

Frank is Conrad keeping Lola? I do hope so as she would be lovely company for him even at the office when the pups have gone.

Suns out here now and its quite hot out there.

Good morning Gill, Mel, and all.

When we took Jan to Alicante Airport last night at 7.00 pm the heavens opened. and it rained for well over two hours. I got wet going to the loo at a service station, and after we dropped Jan off, we drove to a Chinese for a bite to eat. Again we all got wet getting out of the car and getting into the restaurant. We all enjoyed what we had, and by the time we got home it was dry here.

What on earth has happened to our Thomas Jane. I do hope he turns up safe and sound. It might be worth putting a note in the local shop winder that he is missing.

The weather in very cloudy this morning, and again quite chilly. So I am sat at the kitchen table, instead of being outside. Ros has done a pile of Washing, which is now outside on the airer, the sun is shining down that side of the villa.

Conrad has gone to the office this morning, for a couple of hours. He's talking of dong a BBQ this evening, so hope the weather bucks up. Tomorrow the three of us will go out to lunch somewhere on the coast.

The puppies are growing like mad. Lola is protective but in a nice way. She is only 12 months old, so we surmise it's her first litter. The Vet is bringing two of the girl pups up end Conrad and Jan the other three. The Vet said that FIVE PUPS were to many for a little dog to bring up.The vet has homes for the two she is bringing up, and she will no doubt try to find homes for the others. Conrad is considering keeping the white one, but my advise would be NO. He's at work all day, and to have to leave two dogs alone all day (apart from 2 hours) at lunchtime, would be too much of a responsibility for him.

Well the Sun has got his hat on now, so I will go and sit by the pool with my book.

What hard life I have, ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) See you later. AND I DO HOPE THOMAS TURNS UP SOON <3 <3 <3

Morning all,

Yes Jane any news on Thomas we are all hoping....

Cloudy again here this morning.

Yes AnnG you rest that foot and let the head gardener do the work while you give the orders. Bless him!

Woke early and went to the loo and went back to bad. Bad idea woke again at 10.30am.

I was sitting here at my desk and there was a noise as if someone had thrown something at me. The only thing I could think of was I have the card on my pc box on my desk that Sandra sent me and one of the diamonds is missing but do you think for the life of me I can find it?

Morning all

Bright and sunny again today but it's forecast for rain on Sunday, we had a few spots of rain last night but it didn't last long. Saw a hog in the garden last night so we went into the greenhouse so we wouldn't frighten it away, we were to far away from the back door to get back inside. Well, the hog walked around for ages so we were held hostage in there for a while, then the silly thing tried to walk along the back of the greenhouse up against the fence, needless to say there wasn't enough room for it to go anywhere, so it had to come out backwards, at one point we thought it couldn't get out and OH had visions of having to pick it up and put it on the grass, luckily it made it out but then spotted OH in the greenhouse and ran to the bottom of the garden and out of sight, at least we could finally go indoors and to bed. It looked quite big so it's eating well, which is good.

Have you seen any hogs in your garden yet Mel? How's the water leak has it been fixed yet?

Has Thomas turned up yet Jane, I've been thinking about you and hoping he was back safe and sound.

I'd love to be your adopted daughter Ann, but I wouldn't be of any use to you at the moment, I twisted my back yesterday so I'm laid up on the sofa at the moment. OH is clearing between the flag stones and I tried to help him but didn't get very far before I had to stop. I think carrying the heavy furniture from mum's to ours the other day triggered it off, then yesterday when I was changing the bedding I twisted funny and now it's very painful. So it's a day of rest and painkillers for me. Thankfully all the housework is all done so I didn't have anything planned for today anyway, so I'll catch up with some programmes I've recorded and rest up. Have a safe journey home, hope the traffic isn't to bad for you and the weather's as nice as we've got, there's nothing worse than travelling in the rain.

So you're supervising the head gardener today AnnG :-D :-D I hope your foot eases soon after some rest. It sounds like we're both in the wars at the moment. That's a saying I haven't heard for a while. ;-) The Tall Ships sound interesting, I think they were on at Liverpool about 20 years ago but we never made it to see them, I believe they are very good.

You have your morning all planned by the looks of it Mandy, it sounds like Jake is a bit bigger than you thought if you need to change the shorts to the next size up.

How's life in Spain Frank, has the weather brightened up now? How's Lola and her pups today?

I think I might get a cuppa while OH is outside and make him one, then we can watch the final bit of Hatton Garden together when he's finished. We watched the programme than ran for 4 nights but there was an extra one on last night I recorded that we want to watch.

Just looking in to see if any news on Thomas.

Not planning to do a lot today. I am supposed to be resting my foot so I shall probably be supervising the head gardener Lol!!
We do plan to visit the local garden centre. Unfortunately no cafe there. We won't go to the others this weekend as Gloucester is set to be grid locked due to the Tall Ships festival, they are expecting thousands. :-( :-(

Morning all,

Any news on Thomas ? I do so hope he's turned up it's such a worry.

We had a lovely blue sky when we got up now it's gone over all cloudy.

Off to the fruit and veg store and then on to Tesco to change a pair of shorts we got Jake for his birthday ,he needs the next size up ,I also need another grow bag which we can get from Roys that will be the morning gone .

O Jane I was hoping you had found him while I was up the border this afternoon. I posted so I could read the update. You really needed this little break and its a shame you are not going but I know I would rather see if I could find him if he was mine. Have you informed the people you booked with to see if they will let you have another week later on? As to Chris being upset don't forget he spends time in the summerhouse and Thomas is sometimes in there with him so they are probably closer than you think.

Sending love and positive thoughts to you all. x

Its quarter past 7 and I have just come down from the border and the sun has come out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its been cloudy but dry all day.

Probably the right thing to do Jane but sad as you really need that holiday. Why not have a no cook or easy cook weekend to give yourself a bit of a break. I wonder if Thomas has got on or in one of the builders lorries or vans.? If so he may be able to make his way home. I do hope he is found or turns up. Have contacted local vets to check if he has been taken in hurt? You can always book a holiday at a later date.Strange that it is Chris who is so upset but maybe he is upset for you and also it is another upset to add on to your past troubles. Men are funny sometimes keeping a stiff upper lip for so long then it is the straw that breaks.....

Evening All,

More overcast now but sunny spells today too and we heard a Cuckoo today.

Oh no Jane! I was sure he would be home now and what a shame you can't go away as you could really do with a break just now. :-( I can see that you couldn't enjoy it with worrying about him though. I do hope he has just been enjoying hunting and has a full tummy so doesn't need his home food. With what happened last time you are bound to fear something bad has happened. At least you know he's not lying in your neighbour's gardens or the ditch. I do hope you find him soon.

Yes you could be my adopted daughter Gill! lol.;-) ;-) You and your hubby have certainly been busy today getting rid of the dust and dirt.

Gwyn, we all enjoyed those simple pleasures as children didn't we! I remember head over heels downhill too. :-) It sounds like they had a great time.

It's a shame your hogs aren't visiting at the moment Mel. Do they usually roam away in the summer, or is this unusual? I know they say they are getting endangered now and we haven't seen any in the garden for years now.

We found it quite hard to find the garden Vera, but so quiet as you say. I'm glad you saw it too as it is a little gem.

Frank it does sound like Lola is very protective or maybe she's a bit jealous of the attention the puppies get. No wonder the big white one is so big if he keeps pushing the others away from the dinner table!

We didn't go too far today with travelling back tomorrow. Just a couple of garden centres, lunch at The Norway Inn again, lamb shanks this time and a pud as it is our last day. A nice apple and berry crumble with custard. Then to a new garden open this year, just one day a week. It's in very early stages of being restored, so there wasn't a lot to see so I think it will be better in a few years.

I've packed most things ready for an earlyish start tomorrow so we should be up, showered and away within an hour.

Oh Jane, I'm so sorry to hear Thomas is still not back and you're no longer going away, just when you needed a break to. I hope Thomas is found soon, Mandy's idea of putting it on facebook is good, people are always willing to help and the more eyes looking the better. Good luck, I really hope he's found safe and sound. <3 <3

Oh Jane I think you've done the right thing not going away you need to be there for when he comes home .
Pity you don't know some one with a drone it would show you places where you can't get too.

I do feel for you as you both really needed this holiday , wish I was nearer to come and help to search .

Have you put it on your local Facebook page ,people are so good and I'm sure they would keep a look out for him.

We have decided that we cant go away now as we are really concerned that Thomas might be injured and someone needs to be here in case he can find his way home.We would not be able to enjoy our holiday as we would be too worried. I think Chris seems more upset than me which is most unusal .We almost came to blows(not physical) about whether to go or not. I had suggested we wait until Monday and go then that wasnt right :-S.. So the cases are unpacked and I have been to get fresh food as I had emptied the fridge.
Chris spent a good hour or more searching over the back field but it was very difficult as the paths are now so overgrown as is the field. He disturbed some Deer . Not Muntjacs but the bigger ones.He said they went bounding off.
I went house to house and met people I had never seen before .2 very nice ladies .One was Julie and the other Helen. Julie and her lovely lab took me all around down her very long back garden .The dog was sniffing all under the bushes and undergrowth .But no Thomas there. I walked along our road on the other side where the ditch runs just to see if he might be lying there .Again nothing. So I have no idea what to think now. I have to admit I have had a few tears as i was so looking forward to going away . We just needed that break now.

The last time Thomas was missing like this was when he had damaged his hip and had to have the head and neck of his femur removed in a big operation.The Vet thought he had most probably been hit by a car and had tried to get home but was stuck in a neighbours garden as he wasnt able to jump the fence.
Gawd I am sorry I seem all doom and gloom . Chris has gone for a lie down !! I am on Cat watch.There is a plate with Tuna on down the garden .I 'm hoping the smell might entice him .

It certainly isnt chilly here. In fact it was too hot to sit at the patio table just now . The clouds do seem to be building up now though.
Rolly Poloing down a hill or a slope like the children did Gwyn is such good fun. You never seem to roll in a straight line though .What a great day they had :-D and no bumps and bruises .

I suggested a home delivery from the Chinese place this evening ,but then we realised because of our road closure they wouldn't be able to deliver because of the extra miles.I think they only deliver in a 5 mile radius :-S :-So thats out .
I think it will just be a Pasta, Sauce ,Garlic bread and a bit of salad .That wil be fine :-D

Afternoon all,

Oh no Jane little monkey going off for so long ,i hope you soon find him and he's ok so you can go off and enjoy your holiday .
I bet he's shut in some where ,every ones busy on the garden this time of year and sheds get left open so he might have just nipped in for a doze .

I hope the weather soon brightens up for you Frank so you can get out by the pool and read your book .
It sounds as if Lola is very protective of her pups perhaps she's had some before and they were taken away so she's making sure this lot stay with her .

So your fascia boards and windows are all nice and clean now Gill OH has been busy ,this sunny weather does show up all the dust and dirt .

Oh Jane I hope nothing has happened to Thomas, it's such a shame you might not go to Yorkshire now, but I can understand why. Have you tried over the building site, he may of wondered that way for a look around and got a bit lost. Try not to worry, I know it's easier said than done, maybe he's in one of your neighbours gardens stuck somewhere, the same as Mel's cat was. I hope you find him soon, safe and well. <3

It sounds like you have the cloudy weather like us Frank. Let's hope it brightened up for you later, then you can sit outside. Lola is quite a protective mum towards her pups, giving a warning like that.

I remember rolling down a hill like that Gwyn, it's such fun. It sounds like the children had a great time and like you said nobody lost, sick or hurt.

That's the problem with leaving food out Mel, the rats start coming around. Our old neighbour was forever putting bread and other bits and bobs out for the birds and we ended up with rats in our back garden. Thankfully since the new people have bought the property and all the diggers have been around we haven't seen anymore. Mr Grumpy on the other side has lots of mess laying around his back garden which encourages the mice, so we're stuck in the middle. I doubt he'll ever do anything about the state of his back garden though. That's one of the reasons we put the high screening up, to hide the mess on his side and to stop him looking over all the time.

Most of my washing is done now, I just need to get it all dry and make up the beds. I'm having some lunch then I'll tackle the hoovering and dusting. OH has made a smashing job on the fascia boards they are so white and shinny now, I don't think I've ever seen them so clean, he's also cleaned out the gutters and now he's washing the windows. He said he's going to clean the patio once the gates go in next door then everywhere will be clean again after six months of dust and dirt. Now all the windows are cleaned it looks much brighter in our bungalow. :-) that's good but it's showing up all the dust......not so good. At least I can see it to clean, when I've eaten.

Morning all,

Its sounds like the trip was a great success Gwyn and you all enjoyed yourselves. Its nice to see that children still enjoy the things we used to do as children. I can remember going around in circles for a while and then laying on the ground and feeling like you were still turning and the world was moving. I shall have to tell the boys next door about that and see if they have ever done it. I know they do the thing with the buttercup flower.

More overcast today but its not raining like it did yesterday afternoon.

O Jane naughty Thomas. He did this once before if I remember rightly. I hope you find him and he is ok. One of my cats went missing once and was stuck in next doors greenhouse which she did'nt use and he had gone in through a broken pain of glass but could'nt get out. He was so hungry when I got him back and thristy. Good luck in your hunt and am keeping my fingers crossed you find him.

Frank hows the head this morning, has the bump gone down? Did you sleep well again last night? Maybe it will brighten up later on.

Gill its nice to know mum likes her new room you have done for her. You sound busy again today. I have to hoover today and do a bit of dusting and some ironing.

We have seen the deer over the last few days over the back field but he's been on his own.

I hav'nt seen any hogs lately either and think with them working in the field next door and round the back of us has diturbed them. We are not getting the poo around the garden either. I have stopped putting food out as I was getting rats eating it.

I hope the weather brightens for you Frank.

The weather was perfect for our school trip and the children remembered so much of what they had obviously been learning about in class. I was quite impressed.

What I loved seeing too was the time when they were given a chance for a bit of free play and they were all rolling full length down a gentle slope. They so enjoyed that simple fun. One little boy came up to me with a buttercup and said "Do you like butter?", so I bent down for him to hold it under my chin. ... Lovely to see them enjoying themselves in such old ways.

Nobody lost, sick or hurt....it was a great day.

Morning All
Thomas has not been back at all and no food has gone from the summerhouse so it is looking like he might have got himself into trouble again and be hurt somewhere.
I dont think we will be going to Yorkshire..But will see. It is Chris who seems more worried than me .He is walking the edges of the big field that backs onto the long gardens of all the houses along here . When he gets in I will go door knocking to see if he has been spotted and to get people to check their sheds etc just in case he has got shut in . It is all feeling a bit ominous now :-S