General Chat

Afternoon all,

Mandy (secretary) I must tell you, that after sitting in front of my MacBook for well over an hour, I have FOUND out how to forward my life story. I have sent it to the chap from my school days, and a girl I went to school with 70 years ago, who lives in Australia and has done so for 50 years. Oh what a CLEVER BOY I AM loll.

Still warm and sunny here. I sat outside with Ros, while she trimmed the dead bits out of the Passion Flower round the arch. I have got the GROW MORE powder out to feed and water the plants tonight, as it gets cooler.

My back and right side will never be great, what with the STROKE and Arthritis. (Part of getting old, I think) Not that I like it, because I DON'T. Poor Ros is almost to the point she can hardly move, but forces herself to get in the garden as she just loves it, and with her doing it, It wouldn't get done

Dinner already to go on later. Lamb from yesterday in onion gravy, Runners, Broard beans,Peas and carrots and Brussels. Was going to make a rice pudding, but couldn't be bothered.

Vera, I have never been to Austria or and of those Country's,An old fried of mine has a son working and living there, and when he last visited, said how lovely it is. I do hope you enjoy yourselves. Have you been before, or it a new adventure. ?? ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

We are really looking forward to going to Spain. Conrad always makes us most WELCOME, and we try to pay for meals out,as a thank you for a cheap holiday. I think Jan will come out after Alexanders FOUTH Birthday. Where has that time gone ??

Like Vera, I think it's time for a cuppa. I will see if Ros wants one yet, as often she doesn't, when bended over on her garden seat.

Tally Ho all. xxx

Good afternoon all
It’s a nice day here today. It’s sunny at the moment though it clouds over from time to time and the wind seems to be getting up a bit now. No rain today so far.

I hope Jane has arrived safely. I am sure she will be a great support to Hannah. ((((hugs)))) for both of them <3

Enjoy your break in Wales AnninG. We've been to Llandudno a few times as OH had family there and we had a holiday in Anglesey once when my kids were young. I certainly remember some of the hills :-)

Ann, thanks for the lovely pictures. I hadn’t heard of that place in Rutland so that’s now added to my list of places to visit. I did laugh at the story of the shepherd’s pie and custard as it reminded me of the time my father was visiting his sister and her family for Sunday dinner. After the roast auntie asked Dad if he would like some apple pie. He said yes and she cut him a large piece and put it down in front of him. The only problem was she had forgotten to put it in a dish first. It was just sitting on the table mat in front of Dad. Good job he realised before he poured custard on it
:-D

Gill, it will be good having next door neighbours again instead of an empty house. Our neighbour has got his move sorted out at last. He is going on 24th of this month. I’m hoping the people moving in will be nice though they seem to have led him a bit of a dance over the purchase of his house.

Not long now Frank and you will be in sunny Spain. As you arrive back we will be going off to Austria for a couple of weeks

Ann and Frank, I hope your backs are feeling better now. We went to a quiz on Saturday night. I was fine when I left but my back was very sore by the time we got back - goodness knows why as I only sat at a table and stood in a queue for food. I’ve now had two sleepless nights with it so I am feeling headachy and grumpy. OH, bless him, has hung out 3 loads of washing for me and given all the garden furniture and the bird bath a good scrub. He has also planted out most of the plants I bought last week (I got another 3 on Friday)

Time for a cuppa now I think

Good morning Gill, and All. Safe journey for our Jane too. xxx

Wall to wall sunshine here, I have been out the back and it's very warm already. Ros is just having her porridge, then she is going into the garden again, she just loves being out there, even though her Siatica plays havoc, with her back and legs.

I will get a shower and shave when I finish here, I have been up since 6,15. reading my book. It's all about the HEROIN producers in Columbia and the distribution world wide, and what the USA are doing to stop it, from blowing up boats, shooting down planes. This is a great read, and so many twists and turns.

I stayed up until 10.00 pm last night, but was out again by 11.30. Just could not sleep. When I went back around 1.00 am the only thing I could think about was my Wonderfull and very missed DAD. We had so many chats, when I was nursing him with his Cancer, before he passed away. I was the closest of any of the children to get to him. It could be that I spent so many hours day and night in his company. Doing everything he needed, from feeding to cleaning him (bed bath) Changing his dressings etc. The District Nurse who called each day, said I was in the wrong job !!and should have taken up nursing. This was also said to me by the nurses who called while I was nursing both Ros's Mum and Dad. I hope and pray, that I don't have to do it again in my lifetime :-( :-( :-(

Gill it will be nice to have neighbours, especially if they are going to put down a nice garden, and keep it looking nice. TRACY next door came out yesterday, talking to Ros through/over the fence. She was praising her, for a beautiful garden that she looks out on to when in her room upstairs. John over the road also comments on our front garden. Eos has planted the pots with lovely looking ferns. She will plant small planes around the base for a summer display. I keep telling her she should enter the BEST LOOKING GARDEN IN THE VILLAGE, I know I can say, without contradiction that it is the best in the close. xxx

Mel your job in the garden, must be like painting the FORTH BRIDGE. How on earth you do all that, as well as all the other things you do, makes me feel TIRED just THINKING about it. lol lol.

Anne those pictures were beautiful, as we are not ones to travel around the villages, we don't see anything like you do.

AnnG, if your weather is like ours, you will need some SUN CREAM on your arms and face. Being so close to the sea, you won't notice how strong the sun can be, Take care my love. I do hope you are enjoying your holiday.

Just think a week tomorrow we will be in Spain. I will soak up the sun around the pool most of the day reading my book, with a supply of cold beers or G & T with ice and a slice LOVELY OR WHAT !!!

I hope Jane finds Hannah feeling a lot better, than she was last week. I know Jane was so pleased with the news that she was going to be a GRANDMA, <3 <3 <3 and hugs to both of them.

I telephoned my Nephew last night, to see how my sister was. It went to Answer Phone, and as yet I haven't received a call back. Likewise, I have been waiting for my SIL to ring, but I doubt that will happen either

I see we have a breeze coming up,.I hope it doesn't bring in the clouds from the WEST. as that's the direction it's blowing.

I hope you all have a lovely day, whatever you are doing. I will try to get back later.

Morning all

Another sunny day, I could get used to this :-D

Save journey today Jane, I'll be thinking of you and Hannah, she'll be looking forward to seeing you today.

you were very busy in the garden Mel, it's nice when you get on top of big jobs isn't it? Fancy your OH not knowing where you were ;-)

I finally managed to finish off Florence Teale last night Mel, she ended up marrying three times so it took a bit longer than I thought and took me until 1.30am this morning. I'm hoping to enter the rest of her siblings today, she had a fair few of them and I have a list written down to go through. Some I found quite easily but others have different birth names to those entered on the census's. I think that was quite common back then, but I'm sure I'll sort them all out eventually. I can't thank you enough for all your help getting me started, OH is really pleased with all the new people on his tree. I know the feeling of going cross eyed on the PC and have to take breaks myself. I'm really enjoying building his tree now the brick wall has been knocked down.

Next door painted the fences between him and the neighbour on the other side yesterday in black, it looks really nice but I hope he doesn't do our side as we have painted them cream and there are a few gaps the paint can come through. Apparently they haven't had a garden for 17 years so they are keen to do something with the garden next. Their gardens front and back are a lot smaller than ours now the extension and large drive have been done, so it shouldn't take them to long to sort them out and make them pretty. It does seem strange seeing a car down the drive after so long, but reassuring we didn't like it being empty all the time. They are moving in, in two weeks all being well. The insurance are in the middle of sorting out the kitchen, then there's only the drive to be sealed and it should all be finished ready for them to move in then.

Going to grab a cuppa now then carry on with OH's tree, he's off to see his mate for the day so I'm hoping to have all the siblings in before he comes home.

How nice to have bananas and cake left for you to help yourself on the way out.

I got cross eyed on the pc and decided to go and do some work in the garden. I started by cutting out the dead wood from the rose and it also had brimbles in it so they were cut back too. I went and emptied my barrow and came back to where oh had been cleaning the mower decks and picked up all the grass cuttings he had left on the lawn outside the patio and my shed. I also cleaned the shed windows to let more light in as my two tom plants are in there. Ones got the first lot of flowers on it. Went back and did more on the rose and had to come in for a wee and oh said he wondered where I was. Silly fool he could have seen where I was from the decking where he was standing. He would have seen the rose move when I pulled the brimbles out. I tied osme of it in too. I have pulled nettles out around the gunneraa and in the back field under the rose and in the crocosmia. I am geting there but there is always so much to do.

Love the pictures Ann. Its lovely and tidy there. I need their gardener to come and help me.

Oh has sprayed the west lawn now with this iron stuff to make it go greener and kill the moss.

I bet my hands with ache in the morning as they did this morning and I have pulle more stuff out today than yesterday. The old backs a bit achey too.

It sounds like you've both had a great day Ann and AnnG. I love the photo's Ann, especially the one with the water in the fore ground, from the first email you sent, that would make a lovely picture on canvas for a wall. You've done a lot of walking today AnnG, you'll sleep well tonight. That's another thing I liked about living in Wales, the views, it took me quite some time getting used to seeing them each time I went shopping. It was lovely. The only down side about shopping there was the silly season as we called it, when all the tourists came as you could never get a parking space, but it was nice to sit and chat with them on the beach, everyone was always very friendly.

Thanks Mel for all your help again today, I'd missed one child so she's been added now thanks to you sending all the census's. I'm getting there slowly but there's so much to do I think it's going to take me a very long time to complete it all for OH. I don't mind as I enjoy doing it, when I don't hit a brick wall that is, that can be frustrating. I'm moving along nicely now though because of all your help starting me off. Thank you again, you've been brilliant <3

It sounds like you've got a bit to do as well on your tree Frank. I wonder why none of Freddie Starr's children have been in touch about their dad, I'd of thought he would of had money to pay for his own funeral, it just goes to show you think you know someone, then it turns out you don't.

Well, I'd better get back to OH's tree I'm almost finished on this part and I want to get it done before bed, then I can move onto the next sibling tomorrow.

Nice photos Annx thank you

Had a pleasant easy day today we mainly walked around the area, first in one direction to North beach then Stopped for coffee, walked round town and booked s table for this evening in the Lion Hotel. Then walked in the other direction. The views are stunning and probably the best one being from our room.

Spent a long time talking to Louise, she and Mark only came here at Easter but are very enthusiastic and making a good job of it.
The meal this evening in the Lion was very good. We shared chicken goujons with salad and a dip and then both had pie,peas mash and gravy. My pie was lamb and red currant, T’s was beef and ale, a glass of wine each but no room for a sweet.

Evening All,

Lovely day here so after lunch we went to see Exton Hall in Rutland as they had an open day. It's in a beautiful setting and really well kept with stables turned into cottages. They had so many different cakes we couldn't resist. There was a plaque in the tearoom saying that their head gardener, who was a Ghurka for 25 years, had died last autumn. I'll see if I can send a pic or two.

Frank, just something you may want to try. Look for 'Address book' above your email list and click on it. It should then show an option saying 'Add New Contact'. Click on that and you can put the new person's email and name and be able to click on save after. . :-) I was awake till gone 4.00am this morning and OH went and got me a COT then.

It sounds like you are enjoying your break already AnnG and how nice of the owner to leave cake and bananas for you to help yourself.

Afternoon all from sunny Wales.We have been for a walk first in one direction along the promenade by north beach and then round the town choosing where to eat tonight
Stopped for a coffee in a small cafe, we keep finding them in unlikely places.

And then away from the B&B in the opposite direction. Walked four miles all told.

Sat on a seat looking at the view and eating the banana and piece of fruit cake left by the front door on a help yourself basis so no lunch needed.

Stopped to chat to the owners who were sitting out the front and came back up for a cup of tea.

Mel, I have hjusr tried that. I don't have an icon with a little person on it. So I am back to square one. !!!

Afternoon all, Started off as a nice sunny morning, but as usual, it's gone dull and cloudy.

I was still awake at THREE this morning, my brain just wouldn't shut down. I was awake and up by 6.30, so as you can guess I am feeling JADED. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Have a nice (if you can call it that) few days with Hannah, give her a HUG from me, and hope everything goes well for her. I am sure Chris will manage on his own, like me he is quite capable to look after himself. lol lol

We go away next Tuesday the 21st. We are driving to Hrvey's and Julia will take us to the airport at Luton which isn't to far from them. It will save us the car park charges, and we will know our car will be safe at their house. The only drawback for one of them, is to pick us up at MIDNIGHT on the 9th June. It's a bit late, it will be either Harvey of Lewis as Julia will be at the Caravan in the South of France. She is going down with Harvey at Whitsun, and staying there until he goes down in August, then she will come back with him. As she is now officially retired, she can do as she pleases. What a lovely break she will have. As Harvey foes a lot of the cooking in the household, it won't be to much a drag for him. Lewis can cook also, so I am sure they will manage. If they want to, they can come to us on Sunday's after we are back.

Thanks Mel, I will see if I can =follow your instructions. Pleased to hear you might be getting another couple of "Girls"

Gill you certainly are getting on with your tree. I will have to contact all my nieces and nephews to get their partners maiden names, DOB, date of Marriage, Childrens DOB and dates of Marriage, and any Grandchildren. That will take me weeks to load on my tree as there are so many of them. ;-) ;-) ;-)

I see Freddie Star has dies in POVERTY and might well be cremated as a poper (sp) and his ashes lain in a Spanish graveyard. It appears none of his children have beenintouchwith anyone since his death. HOW SAD IS THAT :-( :-( :-(

AnninG. I hope you enjoy your stay in N. Wales, it's a beautiful part of the Country, but for the hills, but that's why people go there, so we just have to get on with it. Just be careful and don't overdo the walking. <3 <3 <3

Lamb again tonight. I have podded a lot of peas, scrapped the Jersey royals, carrots, I have done Ros her Broad Beans, which she loves, Cauli, Broch, Home made mint sauce. Cheese sauce, Yorkshire and gravy all made. I have emptied the food caddy, and tins and plastics. Washed and dried up Breakfast things, now for a rest and a read of the paper and my book.

Have a nice afternoon everyone. xxx

Morning all,

Another beautiful day here in deepest Devon with wall to wall blue sky.

Oh has got his old mower ging again after taking nearly all yesterday to fit a new solinoid. He put the battery on this morning and it still did'nt work but he had a fiddle and got it going so now he is going to spray the lawns again.

Gill I shall emial you all the census I can find and then share the actual ones.

Morning all

Another lovely sunny day so we're going to sort out the pots, OH is watering the garden first, we have so many pots that even with all the rain we're had lately they still need a top up, the rain can't get into all the pots with them being so close together so we have to keep an eye on them, it's not to bad at the moment as there isn't a hosepipe ban, it's a bit of a nightmare when we do have the ban as they all have to be done with watering cans and can take a very long time to do.

I noticed our apple tree we put into a large pot last year has lots of apples starting to grow, there are quite a few together so they'll need thinning out once they grow bigger or they'll knock each other off and we might not be left with many. Last year the tree didn't do so well and we only ended up with one very small apple which we couldn't do anything with, so I'm pleased it's doing better this year.

We had another nice comment on our front garden yesterday, especially all the Tulips we put in, everyone seem to like them dotted about in between all the other plants, the rain knocked them about a bit but they still look pretty and our planters are full of flowers, unfortunately I can't remember the names of them but they look really beautiful, my mum commented on them yesterday as they are right by the front door.

The new neighbour told OH is is moving in on the 28th of this month, the removal people are booked and his son is helping him, so we'll have new neighbours soon.

While OH waters the pots I'll take another look at his family tree, I found lots of children for one couple so today's job is to enter them all onto my tree. That'll keep me busy for a bit.

Pleased to see your back is improving Ann. Yes, I was wondering if the man who the parcel was for might of been a bit embarrassed at the thought of you opening it, I wonder what it was. Sorry to hear one of your work collegues has passed away, I did laugh at the comment on putting custard on the shepherds pie and not noticing, fancy doing that.

Enjoy your walks AnnG, hope you have the nice weather like us and the hills aren't to steep.

Did you have a lovely day with Biggles yesterday Frank? Hope you back is feeling a bit better today after all your hard work with the pots. Good idea not to go out, rest would probably of done you more good.

I see you've been working in your garden Mandy, it's an ongoing job isn't it? Mind you if you're anything like me it's an enjoyable job.

Be careful you don't pack your case to heavy with all the potatoes and veg Jane, safe journey tomorrow, give my love to Hannah. Hope you are feeling okay <3

Going to get a cuppa then take a look at OH's tree while I wait for him to finish watering the plants, then I'll get out there and help him move the pots around. They are in the shade at the moment and prefer to be in the sun so that's a job for today while the weather is nice. Once they come into flower we will dot them around the borders, for now they can go onto the patio behind the greenhouse where it's sunny.

Thanks Annx I have edited. Just love the corrections the iPad does for me it was satnav.
I wonder if the recipiant of the parcel will be embarrassed if he knows it was opened.

Jane hope Hannah will soon be able to cope. It must be traumatising for them both. Mum and daughter time will be good. You will know when it is time to go home. <3

Mandy I do have Bracher walking trainers which I have used for walking for quite a few years now.

My back's improved a bit more today Mandy thank you and I managed to get into bed without much of a performance last night. I think if I'm careful it will be ok for when we go away thank goodness. :-D That was what I wondered about weddings in church as one of the hotels we sometimes go to for a meal seems to have a lot of weddings now. The garment was addressed to a man and looked as if it might fit an eight year old. I wondered if it was something 'medical' at first, but you'd need oxygen if you ever got it on!

I noticed the husband of one of my work colleagues has passed away aged 88. She would make us laugh, and said her hubby liked a drink, and once after imbibing, when they were having dinner (her aunt also lived with them) he calmly poured custard over his shepherd's pie......then ate it without noticing! She said she and her aunt had tears running down their faces trying not to laugh.

Evening all,

We've had rain here on and off for most of the morning then this afternoon the sun came out and it was quite warm so we got a few jobs done in the garden .

Nice to see you Jane ,a bit of mother and daughter time sounds just right and it's good that she won't be on her own then while Gareth's at work, love to Hannah xx
I hope your case doesn't spring open with all the goodies inside LOL

Has your ear ache eased up now Mel ? did the bride look nice and was there any brides maids ?
There use to be a wedding at the church near us every week now your lucky if you see one a month ,i don't think people are having the church weddings any more when they can have the wedding and reception all at the same place .

How is your back today Ann ?
So the case is being packed ...i bet no sign of the lost Stick hiding in there was there ?
The garment in the parcel sounded an odd thing ,must have been for some keep fit fanatic LOL ,was it addressed to a man or woman ?

Glad you arrived in Wales ok AnnG have a lovely week , you'll need some walking boots for those steep hills :-D

You are a good mum Jane and I'm sure it will be better for her to have you there and not be on her own just now. It will save Gareth being worried about her while he's at work too. So it's chicken with a sauce on Monday then, sounds good to me! :-). Will Chris or James drive you there? If not I hope the potatoes won't weigh your case down too much! Very best wishes to her. <3 <3 Yes, I have my case down and have packed my underwear today. I like to make an early start with things that don't need decisions. lol

Ann G you have me stumped with Zest sv? Is it some kind of satnav? It sounds like you have a lovely view where you are staying and will be keeping fit walking off those meals!

Lovely to see you on here Jane. That's nice of you to go to Hannah's, she'll be glad to see her mum and you can both have some mother daughter time together. When you pack the veg don't pack smelly veg or your clothes will smell of the veggies lol ;-) Yes I think a week away later in the month will do you and Chris good.
Give Hannah a hug from Sandra and I when you see her <3

I know what it's like in Wales for the hills AnnG, remember me telling everyone how the hill we lived on was massive. The local children used to slay down it and it was so bad on our drive, which went down the side of the hill, that our handbrake cable broke. I hope the hills aren't as bad as that when you go out. The sea view sounds nice, that's the one thing I miss, although I don't miss the salt air, it damages everything. Pleased to see your journey was a good one with no mistakes, is the weather nice and sunny?

We've had the sun all day and it makes a lovely change from all the rain we've had lately, if it's nice tomorrow I might get into the garden and sort out my pots, I need to change the ones that have gone over, with the ones that are about to flower.

Yes, Mel has been brilliant Ann helping with OH's tree, she found lots of people and sorted out the elusive Mary, I would never of been able to sort it out myself, I'm so grateful. Fancy taking a wrong turn to the exhibition, it's easily done though and you had a nice drive in the country before you got there. I've never heard of art made with cotton strands before, did you take any photo's or aren't you allowed to? We're not allowed, but if you did I'd love to see them.

I've PM'd you Mel about Isaac Lewis, I don't know who he is so can't add him to my tree yet. I'm getting there with the children of the couple's you found for me. Did you manage to find Mary and George's marriage banns? I tried looking but couldn't find them, which I thought was strange as everyone else's seem to be online. Maybe her surname has been mis-spelt which would explain why I can't find it. How nice to go to a wedding, we're off to our old neighbours 100th on Tuesday, we're really looking forward to it. It's not often you get to go to a 100th birthday is it? OH saw her daughter today, she has been diagnosed with throat cancer, but is doing well with her treatment ,so that's good.

Going to do a bit more of OH's tree now before the F1 highlights come on, I've been avoiding the news all day so I didn't see the results.

Evening all. We got here around three after a good journey across country via Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow , Welshpool and Porthmadog. We didn’ use the sat nav but went by the map and a bit of google to find the B&B and didn’t go wrong once.

We are on the third floor, unfortunately no lift, with a beautiful view out over the sea. Walking to restaurants is interesting as it is all a bit steep hopefully it will be ok as we don’t really want to take the car.