General Chat

Meal tonight was better but I don’t think we will see the chef on master chef! I had bruschetta with mushrooms in a cream sauce which was tasty but consisted of a small square of some bread or other, I doubt it was bruschetta plus about six halves of tiny mushrooms just about cooked and the cream sauce was actually pouring cream with some chopped parsley in it. O H had pate which was ok but served with salad the lettuce of which he said it was the first time he had had lettuce roo tough to chew.
For the. Sin I had roast leg of lamb which was ok and then had sticky toffee pudding. I think they would be better increasing the price of the 3 course meal and buying better quality ingredients. 3 courses are only £22.
Strangely this is a very up market hotel, must have been lovely in its hey day.

Oh dear Vera. Deep Breath and give the computer a kick :-D. It is soul destroying when you lose a long post.I think it has happened to us all
Gwyn, I see the suggestion of a gift of a few hours gardening falls on deaf ears with your children :-D. It is nice that your daughter is willing to cut the grass though.
My OH wouldn't trust anyone to get the lines straight :-D :-D. He likes his stripes .Its a big lawn too.
AnnG I remember when our children were really little going to Cockington and having a ride on the Horse and Carriage.We had a fantastic Cream Tea there too. it is such a pretty place but like many other places a bit touristy .You have had a lovely day.
I wasn't sure about your meal at the Hotel the first night. It didnt sound quite up to scratch. NO CUSTARD with sticky toffee pudding and a strange sounding Eton Mess LOL . It is good though you had your own parking space. That is a big bonus:-)

Did anyone see Miriam Margloyes (?sp) in A Dead Good Death .That might not be the right title of the programme. She was hilarious . I admire her for not giving a damn what anyone thinks about her . But goodness she has a right Potty Mouth :-D

Ann it would have been just chips and salad for me too re Franks Seafood meal. I jsut can't bring myself to eat Seafood. A lot of it is just too fishy tasting for me.I am always fascinated to see these massive platters though and love watching how people manage to crack through the shells of Lobsters etc. I have tasted a couple of Mussels and a Scallop or 2 but I never order them . A nice bit of Haddock or Cod is my kind of thing.

Crumbs Frank, that is one amazing sounding house!!!. What a size and to be in that wondeful setting .It must be worth a million or 2.

I have had to shut all the windows downstairs as my eyes are itching and the smell of the Broom pongs :-S I think it is Broom .It is right beside my washing line so I bet all the clothes will smell too now.
Just before I closed the big windows ,I saw Thomas sitting on the patio so I gave him a little greeting and a couple of minutes later I heard something and he was standing on the window sill inside :-D. He had jumped up onto the Herb trough and then through the open window. He looked quite surprised to find himself there LOL . I better not encourage him to do that though as he brought in some soil on his feet . While he was in we managed to do the next lot of worm treatment .So he has slunk off in a huff now.

I think someone must have moved part of the barrier across the road over the weekend so they could drive through. But today I noticed big metal fencing up which looks far more sturdy.

Good evening all. So pleased that you have had a good break Frank. Some of those places over Torquay have such wonderful views. I wouldn’t like to have to do all the steep gardens though. I would have loved that fish platter too it sounds delicious.
Just watching the news so tragic the events in Sri Lanka, poor families on holiday as well as those in churches.

Gill nearly there, won’t be long.

Annx sounds as if you have got on well in the garden.

We have had a lovely day. It stayed bright and dry and not cold but little sun. We walked to Cockington Forge, walking through water meadows, bluebells and wild garlic and nothing to hear but the sound of birds singing. Cockington Country Park is lovely with lakes and beautiful trees as it was planted as an arboretum. We saw a family of ducks with tiny babies and had a good look round the craft shops. Ended our visit there with a cream tea which was fattening, cholestral inducing and delicious. Walking back we managed to catch a bus into Torquay where we had a walk round the harbour before catching the bus two stops back to the park near the hotel where there are the most beautiful tulip and wallflower displays. Altogether with sit downs, coffee stop, cream tea break and two short bus journeys in the middle we walked just under six miles. Now feel very pleased with ourselves with stiff legs and sore feet. :-D

Afternoon all.
So glad for you all that you have been able to enjoy yourselves in the great weather we've had lately.
It was a little cooler today, but still sunny and no need for a coat when I went in to help at school.
I did get a bit of gardening done, but at times it was too hot, so not finished but at least it's a start.
When my children ask what I'd like for Christmas or birthday, I have suggested that an offer of for example a 2 hour stint of gardening would be great, but offers haven't been forth coming.... My daughter does often cut the grass for me though, so that's a help.

Frank, I was interested to hear about the book you have been reading.
My dad was in Burma and I remember him mentioning Vera Lynn visiting to entertain the troops.
Amazing that she is still alive.

I am at screaming pitch :-| :-| :-| I have just spent 45 minutes typing a nice long post, pressed preview and it has completely disappeared!!! I am so frustrated. I can't possibly sit and do it all again so I'll just wish you all goodnight and see you tomorrow.

Afternoon All,

Not quite as sunny and a bit of breeze today which was ideal for me to do a bit more in the back garden. OH was out before me, weeding and digging up some of the ruined shrubs. We are turfing out all the evergreen shrubs in the middle beds, as what will be left won't look good after the ruined ones have been removed and they are getting too big now, despite all being describes as 'dwarf' when we got them. We have found over the years that in our soil, shrubs grow twice as big as it says on the labels!! We were both a bit stiff this morning Gill, but had a few tea breaks sitting in the arbour and just filled a couple of sacks so we didn't overdo it. OH managed to cut himself and need a plaster! We then had lunch at our usual Tuesday place, calling in Aldi and The Works on the way back. OH has gone out now to do a bit more.

That's good news about next door Gill. Just think, this time next month the stress could all be over and you could be enjoying your garden in peace again.

You seem to be having a lovely break Frank, although I would only have wanted the salad and fries from your meal! lol. I know you would have loved all that seafood though! :-D My dad was in Burma for some of the war, but the only person he mentioned meeting during his service was Louis Mountbatten. This year we haven't had any easter eggs or chocolate as we both need smaller waistlines.......no more cake for a while either!

hey have just dropped me off, and gone to get a few bits. Ros will get some Milk and Bread, to save us stopping tomorrow.

I couldn't believe the size of Syl and Max's house. It is only SEMI-DETACHED but enormous, you could fit our bungalow into it FOUR TIMES OVER. and thats just downstairs. It has TWO TRIPLE GARAGES, room for his boat, three vans and and Land Rover, all outside. Plus a very large undercover heated swimming pool. A massive tiered garden, with views to die for. It is said that when the property was built, (I don't know when) A Captain had it, so he could see his fleet of boats in the bay at TORBAY. OH how the other half live, and they say they are SKINT, with all the work they have done and are still doing. Max said he has to WORK even harder now, with all that they are doing.

He is starting on Jan's kitchen shortly, so Gawd knows what that is going to set them back. ;-) ;-) ;-)

I am going to see if there is any football on tonight, if there is I might go out and leave them to the soaps.

Afternoon All
No sun today ,it is just all cloud.The smell of pollen is very strong too .Iam sneezing my head off at the moment.

Frank that massive Seafood Platter was right up your street wasn't it. Probably all freshly caught too :-D I am glad you have had a lovely break this time. I think it was last time you couldnt wait to get home. I reackon the roads should be ok for you tomorrow.

Oh Mandy I have just had a good chuckle at your description of the birds bowel trouble :-D :-D.
All those eggs!!. How long did it take for the children to find them all?

Mel I don't know what the tree was that Gareth was helping clear.I just know it had come down .That is the first time I have seen pics of the Farm.It just looks so lovely.It is a Black and White Farmhouse too.

Gill, you will be counting the hours down now until the drive is completed :-D.It would be just great if its all done by this evening. Any more inside jobs shouldnt bother you .
You asked how Hannah was doing. She is fine ,but so tired and she has been quite queasy ,but that seems ot be easing off now.I think it did her good on Sunday just to enjoy the sunshine and relax a bit.

Ann, I too never realised that Alabaster Tombs may have been painted in the past. I wonder how common that was. The Church you visited sounds lovely with the brook and Ducks :-D How is OH bashed finger today??

Frank I forgot to say I know someone who lives in IPPLEPEN. I have been to the Pub there a few times in the past. I can't remember the name of it now.

I have just finished the VERA LYNN book. I must say what a marvellous job she did entertaining the troops in BURMA and INDIA. My brother Jack spent time in Burma, at that time, but not once did I hear him speak about it, or him ever meeting or hearing Vera Lynn.

Gill I am pleased you have had a peaceful weekend, and that might be finished with the drive today.

We are going over to see Jo and Ella shortly, then on to Sylvia and Max's house up above Torquay. Eos has been before with Jan, and says the views are amazing.Max was the builder who did all the work on Jan and Conrad's house. Sylvia is the wife of Jan's brother who unfortunately died of Cancer a few years ago. How her and Max met I do not know, but he is well accepted into Jan's family.

It isn't as nice today as it has been, in fact sitting around doing nothing, I am feeling chilly.

I have just put my tablet on charge, so now I will have to pick a book from the library to continue reading. I am reading so many different books, with a variety of plots/subjects.

I can hear someone calling, so I had better be off. !!!

Pleased you had a nice day out yesterday Frank and enjoyed all that seafood.

Just having some toast then off shopping.

What a wonderful day you had yesterday Frank, I bet you had a lovely nights sleep afterwards. Yes, I noticed the rain for tomorrow so hope your journey home is okay, just take your time as the roads could be slippy with the Sahara dust around. Let us know when you are home so we know you got there okay.

The workmen have gone to get some more materials so hopefully the drive will be completely finished today. The young boss is there today, not the one for the drive, the one for all the other jobs, so hopefully the rest of the smaller jobs will be finished soon and the new neighbours can move in. They are hoping to be in by the middle of next month.

We had a lovely long weekend of peace and quiet and our stress levels were right down......no migraines so that was good.

Today I'm just going through OH's side of the tree and hoping to do a bit more for him, apart from that I've nothing planned.

A card has just arrived for Sandra so I think it might be yours Mandy. I've put it to one side ready for her big day. I must wrap up all her presents, we've gone a bit mad this year for her. We're hoping to take her to Chester Zoo, weather permitting, on the day before her birthday then she can go shopping afterwards if she wants. With her birthday being on a Sunday we thought the day before would be better as there isn't many shops open on a Sunday.

Going to get a cuppa now then take another look at OH's tree.

Good morning all,

I thought I had better let you know all is good at this end, I don't want you sending out a search party. lol lol.

I really don't know where yesterday went. I was up at 8.00 am showered. shaved and dressed. I a bit of toast for breakfast. and wandered down to the Harbour. Found a seat out of the breeze, and looked along the beech to the pier. The tide was roaring up the beech. I sat and read some more of my book, and come home about 11.00 am.

Ros decided she would like to go to the "WINKING PRAWN" at Salcombe. We arrived there around 1.30 pm to a heaving mass of bodies. Every man and his dog seemed to be there. Jan went inside and found a table. (most people wanted a table outside) She got in the cheque and ordered a massive plate of Lobster, prawns, mussels, Scallops Salad and fries, It came with three different dips. To say the least I was in my element, as was Ros. When we left about 3.45 pm we stopped at a Garden Centre that Jan said hadn't been open long. I stayed in the car while they went walkabout. Came out with NOTHING. We then made our way to IPPLEPEN. The place where we get the Christmas meats. They have a very large G.C. there, so the girls were in their element. Came out with TWO trolly loads of plants. Most,I am pleased to say, were for Jan's Garden. Finally arrived home at around 6.30 pm.

I assume AnninG arrived safely in Torquay. xxx and is going to enjoy a few days of DEVON weather. Jo phoned on her way home from Kerry's. To say the southbound M4 and 5 were reasonable clear, but the northbound were THREE LANES at a standstill for getting on for 25 miles. So I am glad we never had to travel yesterday, and pleased also, to stay the extra day here, and hopefully have a reasonable journey home tomorrow. We won't be any great rush, so will leave late morning, and hope to be home around 4.00 pm. I must ring Tony to let him know we are staying the extra day, I don't want them worrying something has happened to us. !!!

I trust you all had a wonderful Easter, and hope you didn't eat too much Chocolate.

;-) ;-) Ros bought me an Egg which as yet I haven't touched. I expect she will consume most of it anyway.

I left Ros to get herself showered and dressed, as yet I haven't seen Jan. She could be in the garden planting all she bought yesterday. I will pop out and see.

Another nice day here, I think the forecast says rain and wind from tomorrow. So it hasn't interfered with out lovely break, and to think this time next month. we will be sunning ourselves in SPAIN. for three weeks.


Have a nice day whatever you are doing. xxxx

Morning all Mel, morning all

Hazy here to but still very warm, the workmen are here so OH is keeping an eye on them. They are very quiet and told OH they should only be a couple of hours so that's good.

Pleased to see the journey down was good AnnG, your hotel sounds nice and a private parking place brilliant. I'm the same and would of preferred some custard on the sticky toffee pud. How nice to have a catch up with your friends. Some of OH's ancestors came from Newton Abbot. All those Tulips would of looked lovely.

What a fascinating story about the tombs Ann, I've never heard of them being painted either. Hope your OH isn't to sore today after his stint in the garden yesterday.

Looking forward to seeing all the pics everyone is sending.

I noticed how quickly the past few days have gone Mel, the weeks just seem to be passing by.

I did quite well on OH's tree yesterday and I'm hoping to sort out a bit more for him today. Ancestry don't have their records open for free now, so I hope I can find what I'm looking for.

Morning all,

Bit hazy again this morning but its early yet so maybe the sun will come out later on.

Shopping day AGAIN. Why are they coming around so quickly? I no sooner fill the fridge up than it wants doing again.

There's quite a bit of dust on my car this morning.

I wonder what Frank did yesterday? Did we hear from him?

Good you had a nice journey down Anning. I have never heard of Elton Mess is that different to Eton Mess? I would have had the chicken too as I don't like duck. It must have been nice to see your friends after so long and lots to catch up on.

I asked oh where the Sahara was from here and he told me it was south east and thats the way the winds been blowing today so it must be that dust on my car.

I had a sweep up outside the bungalow this afternoon and moved some pots about from the patio down to the shed and everything down there was dry as a bone so I had to water that lot and the Strawberry barrow. They are just showing flowers so this year I may get some strawberries if I cover them up from the birds.

Jane lovely photos of the farm. was that a big tree they had cut down they were moving about? Lovely view too to look out on with your cuppa and Hannah and her sister in law looked good and happy on the byke.

That's good you had no travel hiccups AnnG. The hotel sounds ideal being close to the sea and good your parking spot has your name on it so there will be no problem of anyone mistaking it for their's! The flowers sound gorgeous, so looking forward to seeing a pic, not so good for your dinner though. I would have wanted some custard with my sticky toffee pud......bit dry without, and eton mess usually has a fair bit of meringue doesn't it!

Journey down was fine, traffic not that heavy going south and we made good time. We spent three hours plus with our friends in NewtonAbbott hadn’t seen them since last July so plenty to chat about. Hotel is very nice right near the sea front and Tor Abbey, nice room too and even a parking space with our name on. Dinner was ok, starter of soup we didn’t like, supposed to be potato and leek but just didn’t taste like it should and felt greasy. But main was fine, I had duck and OH had chicken. Then he had sticky toffee pud which was ok but just served with sauce no ice cream or custard. I had Elton mess which was ok but hardly any meringue and a Sunday glass full of juice and black urrants, blueberries, blackberries and grapes. The lovely Latvian watresse said when I left some of the fruit. That she didn’t think it was proper Elton mess :-D There are some beautiful gardens right near, must be over a thousand tulips in there, orange and purple and yellow wallflowers and blue forgetme nots. I will have to send a photo.

Evening All,

We are being spoiled with all this sunshine aren't we!

Mandy what a lovely surprise to be given that much money and to know how much what you did for your friend looking after and helping with her bungalow was appreciated. I was thrilled and got a warm glow just reading about it! :-D It was a great idea to put the eggs in the fridge before the hunt. I bet little Lewis dropped the egg with having butter fingers with excitement!

Gill how horrid having all that rowing going on next door! I hope they just want to get on and get the job finished when they come back tomorrow. Thank goodness it is nearly done so you can go back to normal.

We did a good stint in the back garden this morning. OH has scrapes, hit his finger with a hammer repairing the fence and is generally battle scarred after his stint!! lol. There are plastic bags of garden rubbish and prunings the length of the bungalow down the side, ready to go to the tip which luckily is only half a mile away. I potted up some of that black grass that starts with an 'O' in 2 pots as it tends to creep where we had it so I'm keeping it under control in pots now. It looks quite nice in one of my red pots. :-)

We went to the carvery down the road afterwards and are amazed how little traffic and few people were about, just like yesterday. We called in Sainsbury's after for a few bits and some fuel from the garage and could park right outside the doors. OH did have ideas about a footie match today, but seeing as he wants to go to 2 other matches this week, he decided to take me to Bottesford to see the church today instead!! :-) I was interested as I had read that it had a few alabaster tombs of the past Dukes of Rutland and I wanted to see them and I think he did too! The church was in a lovely setting with a brook running around the edge with ducks paddling about. The tombs were quite something with some still with the paint intact which was a surprise as I never knew they were painted after they were carved. One tomb dated from the 1200s. There were some ugly gargoyles outside. I'll send a few pics after I've downloaded them. Then we called for a coffee at the garden centre in Melton and had a naughty piece of cake!! :-0 It was serve yourself and OH asked the staff if it was 1 slice when he got his as it was so big!!! We haven't wanted any tea after that .

Jane it is really horrid for you to have hurt your hip like that!! You must have wondered if you had damaged yourself so you couldn't walk till you tried. I hope the dosing up has made you more comfortable. No doing the Highland Fling for you tonight! :-D Hopefully after a night's rest it will have settled down. The pics were lovely and I would love to have that beautiful view to sit and look at while I had a cuppa.

What a shame the dust is covering your car Mel after you had worked so hard on it and even polished it, I must see if the Sahara has reached my car yet.

That's a lot of Easter eggs Mandy, good job you count them all so Max doesn't eat any that weren't found.

OH was going to wash our car but with all this sand around he's just going to do inside the car and leave the outside for now. I caught the end of the weather and it's going to pour down on Wednesday with thunder. The rain will save us watering the garden, but no doubt all the weeds will back shortly after.

So you're car is covered again Mel, it might be best to leave it for now or you'll be cleaning it everyday.

I hope the journey for AnnG went well and they arrived safely. Hope they don't have the rain we're having while they're away.