General Chat

Morning all, I won't say GOOD, because it AIN'T for me.

When Ros came back from shopping about 3.30 she had TWO 35 litre bags of John Innis, together with trays of strawberry's and other plants, in the back of Carolyn's car, together with two new Plastic pots.

I went out to bring things down the drive. Which just left the two bags of compost. They both said "BE CAREFUL THEY ARE HEAVEY" It took a big lad, to put them in the car.!!!! I put my arms around the first and cuddled it, carried it to the side gate and put it down, went back and did the same with the second. As I put it down, something went in the bottom of my back. I let out a scream, and staggered back in doors. I have been in pain since, and hardly slept last night, overtime I moved it woke me, I have been under the HOT shower this morning, but no improvement. The heat patches haven't work either. I think the bags must have weighed over half cwt. each. So it's my own fault for trying to do it. !!!

Jane, WHAT is going on. I HAVEN'T had a PM. Either call me,or send a message PLEASE.

Vera, I like you need sleeping pills. I have been like it since my stroke 15 years ago. My brain just will not shut down,even with my pill, I only get ONE good nights sleep every two or three days. Ido hope things improve for you. xxx

AnnG. You have certainly been around DORSET. With the weather as it has been, it must have been lovely walking around these lovely gardens, and enjoying the beautiful plants and trees. It would be nice for Ros and I do do that, but I know neither of us is capable of walking any distance.

So Two eggs Mel, and no breakages. It had never crossed my mind, that they need a bit of privacy when laying their eggs. We learn something new each day. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Had a call from Jan this morning. Conrad was stroking the dog yesterday evening and thought he felt something move. He took her to the vets, only to be informed was was HAVING PUPPIES. During the night she gave BIRTH to THREE. He was coming home this weekend, and Jan going back with him, so I think thats all changed. I wonder what, and how, he will do with three pups. They will still be babies when we go out on the 21st May. so plenty of cuddles. bless. !!!!

Ros is at the Drs this morning, still having water problems, and her pain from the Siatica seems to be getting worse. So hope Dr. can give her something to help.

Jane you have me worried. <3 <3 See you soon folks.

Morning all and a pinch and a punch.

Nice morning here at the moment with sunshine and blue sky with light clouds. No breeze to speak of.


Well thats another month gone by and a third of the new year. Soon be Christmas at this rate!!

Two eggs this morning and both whole so that was good again and I nearly have a dozen for Em this week plus one I owe her. OWE is a funny word not much typed and it looked odd when I did it.

Oh is out on the mower somewhere out the front I think as I can't see him but can hear him.

I wonder where AnnG is going today. Somewhere interesting I bet and we shall hear all about it later on. I really enjoy her posts on where they have been and am looking forward to seeing the photos on her blog.

Hope Frank's cold is a bit better today and he has a good story to read if he's not doing anything else.

Ann hope you find what your looking for in the way of plants for your pots.

We hae the last two of the pastys I made for lunch today so I can get on. I have seedling needing potting on and I would really like to get up the order for a tidy up. The rose down the back garden needs tying over the arch but its so vicious I keep putting it off. It only flowers once but the perfume is to die for. One mass of pale pink flowers. Don't know what it is as it was here when mum moved in. The Rhodo's are out in the back too and the one in the middle of the west lawn is just starting to open its flowers so when its in full flower it usually turns hot so it burns all the flowers up. Mum put that one in and its in the wrong place with no cover to it at all just stuck in the middle of the big west lawn.

Enough waffle I must get on as when he's out I get more done.

Morning All,

Sunny here at the moment, so I hope it stays dry long enough to dry the washing.

Many thanks for that Mel, I will see if we can get one like it. xx

Just watered the different mints in pots, they were so dry. We are off to the nursery in the village after lunch. I need 2 more of the same plants for the front wall pots and to get some for more of the garden pots and wall pots at the back. We also need bean poles for the beans and tomatoes.

With reading about the outbreaks of measles, I'm wondering if I should ask about vaccination as my mother didn't believe in these things so I never had one as a child and am not sure whether I had measles or not.

I hope Frank's cold is a bit better this morning.

Better get a few jobs done now.......phone calls first!

Ann ours is a BT8600 Premium Nuisance Call Blocker. Digital cordless phone with answering machine. Its great.

Just looked it up here but its out of stock but they will let you know when it is available again.

https://www.telephonesonline.co.uk/bt-8600-digital-cordless-telephone-with-nuisance-call-blocking.html

Vera it sounds like your hubby is good at cleaning things. Send him to clean my conservatory please and I'll swap with mine who will do your ironing!! ;-) ;-) I must get some more plants tomorrow and start filling my tubs/pots. You have had a busy day.

Mel, you could be right about your hens and their privacy. Maybe the others getting in and out unsettle ones that are laying causing the breakages. Mel Marple will get to the root of the problem! I wasn't ever allowed any posters in my bedroom.....boo hoo.

We are getting a new phone in a week or two so I would be interested to know what sort yours is as being able to do that would be ideal.

AnnG I remember visiting Abbotsbury over a decade ago and enjoyed it. I wish I could still walk like you. You did well with the hill and only one stop. I look forward to seeing the Bluebells. We always visit the woods round here where they are.

I like that Vera, something easy based on eggs. Will it be omlets??

I had two eggs this morning and NONE broken. I have taken the silly bowls out of the nest box and wedged one up so they have two nest boxes like they had in the old house. An egg was in each this morning. Will wait and see what tomorrow brings now. I don't think they had enough room with three washing up bowls in there and nothing to hide them from each other. They like a bit of privasey when laying.

AnnG you have had a busy day today and really enjoyed every minuet of it by the sounds of things. Well done walking up the hill with only one stop. :-D Can't wait to see the bluebell wood as its one of my favorite things. I always wanted one of those big poster they used to do of a bluebell wood for my bedroom wall but mum would'nt let me have one up.

Frank I need you here to do my ironing as I have a nice big pile of it that needs doing. You are a good boy doing most of it for Ros.

It sounds like you need a phone like ours Annx. we are told who is calling and if we accept the call we press one on the handset. If we want it to go to answer phone we press 4. We hav'nt had a nuisance call since we have had it. We did have a call from a Shane last week but I did'nt accept it. Don't know anyone called Shane.

He has his usual curry tonight and I have sweet and sour chicken and egg fried rice. Both done in the microwave for six mins. I better turn the top oven on for his bargees.

Vera yes it is Friday, home until Sat week then off to Wales.

You have made me think that we really need to give our conservatory a good clean.

Jane <3 <3 <3 <3 you are in my thoughts.

Afternoon Everyone
I am going to send out a PM to everyone now.I hope I remember to include all.It will explain why I wont be around for a while .

Afternoon everyone

Thanks for your concern but my only problem is insomnia which I have had most of my adult life. I have sleeping pills but rarely take them as they are very strong, can be addictive and don't always work very well. My doctor allows me to have them on repeat prescription because I don't overuse them but the chemist himself has to take them from a locked cupboard and I have to sign for them as they are a controlled drug. I did take one last night, it didn't knock me out but I did get back to sleep each time I woke.

Frank, can I adopt you? I would love a man who does the ironing. Son and daughter's ex. both iron but I don't think many men of my generation do.

What a pain to get your prescription Mel. When we lived in the country, medicines were dispensed by the doctor's surgery and I just had to email what I wanted and go out the once to collect them. It's even easier now we are near town. When I collect my medication the chemist gives me the next prescription, I tick what I will want next month and give it back. He does all the rest. They will even deliver if I need them to. Shame you are still getting some broken eggs but how lovely to see a greenfinch. I haven't seen one for years. Perhaps they are making a comeback.

Gil, I bet you are enjoying the quiet at the moment and Sandra can read her books in peace. That was a very sad story about OH's friend, accidents happen so easily.

Mandy, I hope your OH is able to sit comfortably and his bruises are fading. It certainly sounds like low blood pressure. Will you be able to replace the lamp shade with the same so your lamps still match or will you have to buy another pair? You're not having any luck with your cooker. Let's hope the new one will function properly.

What a shock for Paul, Anne. There's some real low life around. It was lucky the letters came on a Saturday when he was at home.

It looks as though the weather is going to be getting a lot colder mid-week. I hope it doesn't stop you getting out and about AnninG. Is it Friday you come back?

We have had quite a productive day today. OH decided his back had recovered enough for him to do some jobs so he set to on the conservatory. He cleaned from the roof down and most of the paintwork and the floor have been washed. I am just left with a few bits and pieces to clean. He also managed a bit of weeding this afternoon.

I did all the ironing and gave all the upstairs rooms a good clean through and then this afternoon I did a bit of tidying up in the garden and planted up another 4 of my troughs. I'm a bit tired and have got a headache again now but I am a happy bunny at getting so much done :-D

Now I just have to prepare and cook our meal and I'm planning on doing something easy based on eggs.

30 Apr 2019 17:46
We were out all day today. I am here now though.
We drove about 15 minutes to Abbotsbury Tropical gardens, we love it there and try to visit every time even though it is not NTrust. Today was sunny and when sheltered it was warm. We thought we were going to have a problem at first, As we always do we had a coffee on arrival but just as we were ready to go in I looked up to see an enormous queue. A coach had arrived so we stayed in the restaurant until they had all gone in, it was a huge coach full of American, mostly seniors and slow moving. We had prepaid on line so we’re soon in then, having been before we were able to take a different route from the coach passengers who were moving en mass.after that we hardly saw them. We spent about two and a half hours and covered two miles in the gardens, and were pleased that we still managed to walk up the steep grass hill between the magnolias that we remembered being planted in 2010 the first time we went to the garden. And we only sat down once halfway up. The view from the top is of Chesil Beach and normally you can see to Portland but there was a sea fret today so we couldn’t see as far as usual. On the way down I looked into the wood on my left and the whole wood was absolutely carpeted with bluebells.(more photos).

There is a small enclosed garden near the entrance and we usually go in to see the Kookoburra that is kept there but it was closed off. Peering over the wall we spotted a white pheasant with a very long tail.

So much to see in the garden, lovely Azaleas, rhododendrons and Camelias besides all the wonderful trees plus some sculptures.

We had lunch in the car parked overlooking a field full of sheep and tiny frisky lambs plus a few pheasants. Then drove back to the cottage via Morrison’s where we collected a cooked chicken for our meal this evening.

We dropped off the picnic stuff then took the paper and drove down to sit in the car overlooking the sea and beach etc. Good job it is a NT car park so free to us. Read the paper then walked to the top of the cliff path not very far and sat on a seat admiring the view in the glorious evening sunshine. Back then to watch pointless

Afternoon All,

It was quite foggy here first thing too, but then the sun came out and is still shining now.

Oh Anne, how awful for Paul to get those letters in the post and realise someone had got hold of his details to try and commit fraud. His blood must have run cold when he saw the letters. He did the right thing though and has hopefully stopped any more attempts. I think I would contact DVLA too. I don't even carry anything with my address on in my bag/purse now if I can help it and wish they didn't put your address on prescriptions.

We have had 3 scam phone calls over the weekend and they were all automated, so it doesn't even cost them staff wages to man the lines. It's disgusting they can be sitting in another country, trying to rob the vulnerable or unwary of their hard earned cash without even needing to break into their house!!

I'm just the same with magazines Mandy, always cutting bits out, recipes, patterns, ideas for painting etc! It's why it takes me ages to sort them out!! lol.

What a game with your prescriptions Mel!! They shouldn't expect anyone to travel that distance for them. We have never been able to order prescriptions online or by phone and have to take them in to the surgery, then go to the pharmacy a few days later and hope the prescription has been sent to them. At least posting them to the shop you can pick them up there. I've thought about going through one of those firms that post them, but are often out and they wouldn't put them through the letterbox, being pills.

Frank when I was first married, we bought a big wooden barrel and hubby tightened the bands and cut it in half to make two tubs. We lined them with polythene, I painted the outsides and planted them up, but after a few years, even though they were made of oak, they still rotted and fell apart. There was no way you could repair them as only the bands held them together. I think you would be far better with the imitation ones anyway. Well done doing the ironing ..........more Brownie Points! :-) We saw the neighbours getting the caravan ready to go away when we got home today. They were full of chat about the electrical gadget they have to move it with, but never mentioned about the trouble. I bet they don't realise another neighbour had told us about it! If we hadn't been in a hurry to go out again I would have asked what the Police were there for to see what they said!!!!

Gill, there was nothing more in the paper about the explosion, just that the they are investigating the cause and that the tip will be closed till further notice. That accident you mentioned sounded an awful thing to happen to someone. I've never forgotten reading about two incidents. One was a poor man who fell into a slurry pit on a farm and died, the other was fixing something inside a big stone crusher at a quarry plant and someone switched it on with him inside it.

We went to Ikea this morning and popped into Decathlon next door to it first to look at the cross trainer bikes as I said before that I want to replace what I have with one machine that does both! Last time we went they had a huge selection of fitness machines............not anymore though! They hadn't even got one of what I wanted and seem to do more clothes for different sports these days. I did have a wistful swish with a superlight Badminton racquet that took me back to when I played in matches.. We had brekkie in Ikea, I just had a child's brekkie and chose a little omelette, mushrooms and beans and a yoghurt and OH had the usual breakfast. We both had toast and wondered how do they do it with drinks as well for £5 something in total!!!!! We got some clear plastic mats we wanted and some picture frames, but it seemed further to walk around after the alterations since last time and my knees wondered if they would make it at one point! On the way back we called in Armstrong Mill to look around and then called in their cafe for lunch. OH only wanted soup after his bigger brekkie and I had cod with mash and peas and parsley sauce. OH has now gone to a match near Derby.

Well the ironing is all done, apart from Ros's tops. I daren't do those in case I crease them. I think I must have used at least 10 hankies. Couldn't believe there were so many, during my heady cold. I just rubbed the iron over my Tee shits, as they are not seen, as I wear a shirt over them. But I did make a real effort on my shirts. They are something I always did when I lived at home 60 years ago. I still like to see a nice crease down the sleeves, to the cuffs. And of course during my RAF days in National Service I always ironed my shirts when they came back from the laundry. OLD Habits die hard. !!!

The fog has gone now, and the sun pops out, now and then, not that I have seen it. !!!

Gill, You will be one happy Lady, when the next doors drive is finished, and no more builders to disturb your peace and quiet. Have you heard if the neighbours are staying or selling.?? You would think that after all the expense they have incurred, they would a least move in, and see how they like it.

That explosion didn't sound nice Ann, Have you heard yet what caused it. ?? They had a bad explosion at Port Talbot the other evening. A train carrying molten metal BLEW UP, If I understand it properly.

Has everything quietened down with the neighbours now Ann. Do you know if the police took any action against the woman with the AIR RIFLE.

Mentioning the green rubbish going to the tip. Jan, in Paignton isn't allowed to put garden rubbish in her bin. She has to dispose of it herself. What she does though, is put it in the bottom of the bin and covers it with bags of rubbish from the kitchen. She needs to be careful, they don't have a look under the bags, then she would be in trouble.lol lol

Hows Colin doing now Mandy, ?? I bet he was shock up a bit after that. Tell him to take more water with it. lol lol.

I did't know about the virus that hit the bird population, or was it just small birds. ??

I seem to be asking a lot of ?? this afternoon, not being nosey, just enquiring. ;-) ;-) ;-).

I think I will grab a coffee and have a sit on the patio, as the SUN is out and it looks warm out. Even though I am not out there yet.

Morning all,

Not a bad morning here and its quite warm out but the skys a bit cloudy but its bright so thats good.

I have just seen a Greenfinch on our bird feeder. Its a bird we don't see very often since they had that virus. We used to get loads of them years ago then they got this bug thing and we would find them dead all over the garden so I am pleased to see one.

I have been trying to order our scripts online but am not getting any response so am getting worried now as oh's run out in two days time. I have a few of them for other days but not all of them.

Morning all

Bright and sunny here so far today but the weather forecast for the rest of the week is really bad including possible SNOW by Friday. We've covered the outside tap again with some bubble wrap, we do that in the winter so the tap doesn't freeze and can't believe we're having to do it this time of the year. It was only a week or so ago we had all that really hot weather. I think England is the only country to have all four seasons in one week. OH cut the lawns last night and they look really good now so at least they were done before the bad weather arrives.

We're not sure when the drive will be sealed Jane, we heard it was going to be the end of this week but with snow forecast I can't see it happening now. We've just been saying how quiet it is next door and we don't really mind when the workmen come back as everything outside is done and looks nice. The new neighbours have even cleaned up the front garden so that's looking better to. The seal on the drive will just make it look shinny so we don't care when they do it.

It sounds like you're having a great time away AnnG, there's certainly lots of places to visit where you are.

Sorry to hear you're still having broken eggs Mel, a hole in the nesting box where the eggs can roll down sounds like a good idea if it can be done that is.

That was lucky your OH took all your rubbish to the tip Ann, as like you said it'll probably be closed for a while. Do they know what caused the explosion? Health and Safety will probably be involved now. OH was telling me the other day that an old friend of his was on a conveyor belt clearing a blockage (recycled plastic) he'd turn it off but someone turned it back on while he was still on it and it dragged him through the shredder and killed him. Health and Safely closed it down while they sorted it out. Accidents happen all the time and it's never good. My tummy turned when he told me, I felt so sorry for his wife and young children, he was only in his 50's.

What a shock Paul had Anne, do you think they have taken the log book as well? Maybe he should get in touch with DVLA and let them know someone has been tampering with his post and also get back in touch with the person he bought the camper van off, if they have sent it then he might need to obtain a new one. At lest it's not parked at his place so it can't be taken.

I sound like Colin got up a bit to quickly Mandy, hope he's okay now and not to sore, he was lucky the bulb didn't break or it could of been a lot worse. Sorry to hear about your oven, they are replacing it quickly so that's good. I noticed our new cooker takes a bit longer and we have to turn the gas up a bit higher on the oven, we're got used to it now but it did feel strange at first, but your's sounds like it's broken. Hopefully the next one will work properly.

Have you still got the fog Frank? We've still got the sun but it's not very warm. Just been watching the birds on the feeder and it's so quiet out there, makes a nice change from all the noise over the last 6 months. Good luck with the ironing lol. Ros is lucky I think my OH is allergic to ironing lol. ;-) :-D

Morning early bird Frank ,morning all,

Frank have a look at The Barrels Makers site there's some on there not to badly priced although it depends what size you want .

Mel could you have a word with the doctor to see if you could have two months of tablets at a time ,son is now having some of his tablets every two months ,it would save you having to go so often.

Trying to brighten up here ,there's lots of cloud this morning but no fog here like Frank has this morning .

Good morning to you all,

I was in bed by 10.00 pm reading, I had to put it down by 11.00 or I would have read on and on. Eos woke me at 1.30 coughing. I managed to get back to sleep until 5.00 am. It was light out and THICK FOG, as it is still.

I have been reading this Bl@@dy book all morning. Apart from looking at Barrels for planters for the garden. They don't come CHEAP, and the big ones are well over £100.00 each. So a big re-think in that department. We thought that wooden ones would be able to be SREWED to the tree stumps either side of the lawn. That way no-one would be able to HALF HINCH (PINCH) them. We might have to make do with plastic. I looked at a local stone place that make them, but forget it. I don't want to rake out a MORTGAGE to buy them. MIND BLOWING PRICES.!!!!

I am floating in tea, as I have had 5 since I got up. I expect I will have more when Ros gets up. I see the loo will be busy today. lol lol.

I see Colin has had a fall, he was lucky he didn't do what I did, and fall against the cabinet, you know what happened to me. :-| :-| :-|

Mel, I do think you should look into having your scrips. posted to you. No way would I want to travel 18 miles to get mine either. !!!

I didn't know about that saying either. You old COUNTRY FOLK. LOL LOL

Sitting beside me on the floor is the basket of ironing, there is so much of it the basket is too heavy to lift on top of the upright FRIDGE/FREEZER where it usually sits. So IF I have a go at it later, i will be in for a MARATHON ironing job. !!! Will let you know how I get on.

Still can't see the bottom of the garden for the fog/mist. See you later. xxx

o thats dreadfull Anne. I hope he is safe now he's changed the locks and informed the bank.

You two talking about the oak and the ash I nearly put that up the other day when I saw the oak was well in leaf and not a sign on the ash. Oh always says the ash comes out before the oak anyway but I know he is wrong but it not worth arguing about it with him as he is ALWAYS right, I don't think.

Well I did'nt get my shower as I then cleaned out the bantams. Then I thought I would have it before dinner and then got lost in the garden so I did dinner and now I have read the posts I am going to shower now after I post this.

The sun put in an appearance at about 6.30pm here it has been cloudy all day and there has been no wind. I had a bit of a bonfire this afternoon too.

Poor Colin, its not nice when you get up too quickly and go dizzy. Good job he did'nt break the bulb in the side light Mandy or he could have more than a bruised botty.

Another nice day out AnnG. You are really making the most of your stay and going to some lovely places.

Jane I shan'nt be sending the doll yet as I have to wait for the St Bridids cross to dry out a bit so I can tie the end tighter so it dos'nt fall apart. When you get her only pick her up by her body as if you grab her skirt you may break the corn heads off. Thats what I did with my one and had to stick them back on again.

I rang for our repeat prescriptions this afternoon. They don't do it over the phone anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So now I would have to go to Holworthy to order them thats 9 miles there and nine miles back, 18 miles and then wait two days to go and collect them. NO WAY. Oh said they will make him die then. She gave me the email address to order them online. Something I did'nt really want to do but they will let me pick them up from the local shop in Shebbear which is next to the old doctors so thats not so bad if they will let me do that. The email address was 40 digits long. I did'nt think I was ever going to get to the end of it.

Hope you all sleep well tonight and all feel better in the morning those of you who are under the weather.

Night night.

He's always getting up to quick Jane ,i keep telling him but you know what they are like.
I haven't heard that saying before but could it be that there's not so many Ash trees about now with all the Ash die back .

Yes Ann it was one of a matching pair , not a pair any more as that ones now in the bin !!!

Oh Anne what a good job Paul was there to get his post ,some one has got their hands on his post it was a good idea to redirect his post to yours .
Can he find out if the log book has been sent out ? they might have got that too .
There's some nasty people about how they can do that to hard working people i don't now .
Did you use to get told off for giggling when trying to help fold the sheets :-D

Evening all

Sorry to hear you have been feeling off colour Vera, I too wondered if it was hay fever as it does effect me like that.

AnnG we went to Dorset last year and I remember visiting West Bay it such a lovely area to holiday

Pleased that Sandra enjoyed her birthday bless her and is now reading her famous five books You must be more relaxed now the builders have finished.

Mandy hope you have more luck with your new cooker hopefully all is OK this time.

Jane I had heard that saying and these things are often correct the same as some old wives tales

When I used to help my mother with sheets for some reason I always got a fit of the giggles she always did a white boil wash on Mondays and Thursdays everything else, I don't think the outer clothes were changed so often then, dad always wore collar detached shirts for business.

Paul got a shock when opening his post on Saturday, it was a letter from both TSB and Tesco Banks , one had a bank card waiting to be activated and the other agreeing to a £1000.00 overdraft, he doesn't bank with either of these banks and never has done. He informed both of them and also the Police fraud department and has made his own bank aware. He's pretty sure someone has access to his post box, so he changed the lock and has his post redirected to my address. I think someone could have got hold of his utility bills as proof of his name and address. Fortunately the two letters came on Saturday when he wasn't at work
other wise he would have been blissfully unaware until it was too late, He also hadn't received the log book for the camper van which he bought a while ago. It isn't parked where he lives but at mine.