General Chat

Hi all, Barry called at Tony's this afternoon and done his lawn. I called over to him to see if he had time to do mine, but he's tied up for today so is coming Friday weather permitting.

YES I got the mower, have given Harvey his number and has rung the chap. Left a message for him to ring Harvey, to arrange collection.

I have carried the new glass down to the Greenhouse, Harvey said he will fit it for me when he comes up next time.

I didn't think you would be outside today Jane a bit BRASS MONKEY OUT THERE. lol.

I assume we had Whit Mondsy off school, but I must admit it's too far back to remember.

My niece Pat rang to catch up on her visit to my Sister, and SIL. SIL is looking well, where as my sister looks at DEATHS DOOR. She just lays in bed, unable to move very much,and not taking much notice of whats going on around her. Poor woman.All I can do is keep in touch with Paul, I must try to arrange with Simon if he can spare a day to take me down to see her. Ros just wouldn't cope with Suburban Traffic around London. I know she would be petrified driving round the M 25, M 11 and into Woodford via the busy roads. She is 73 which I tend to forget. As she tries, and does look, a lot younger.But it would be a strain on her to even contemplate the drive.

Off to put the SPUDS on, Everything should be ready for 6.00 or there about.

Afternoon All
Janice.Larry and Fitz have just gone.We had a lovely few hours havinga good old natter over the dining table :-D. It was good to see how much Janice is improving with her new knee even though it is never goign to be totally right.

Buddy looked so funny with his new hat Frank .Shame we couldn't see his face. Do you thin khe was embarrassed ??? Ros did a good job though with the hat.

Ann ,I sent a PM last night . Hope you don't mind when you see it.

Just going to do the last of the clearing up from lunch . Chris has done most but seems to have sloped off for a nap !!!!

We had Whit Monday off when I was at school; although it may have been part of half term. But 1st Monday in May I think was a holiday introduced (again I think) by the Labour party (May Day possibly by Harold Wilson).

I never thought of that AnnG, maybe you're right and he wanted the extra cash for a holiday, if that's the case he's even more cheeky than I thought. The workmen have gone now, so only half a days work today. I think the new owner told OH that he was going to have a word with the boss to try and get him to hurry up as it's causing arguments between the him and his wife, apparently the property they are renting is very small and they are practically living out of boxes, having to unpack and re-pack things all the time which they don't like and they just want to move into their new home now and settle in. I think he has more patients than OH and I, we would of hurried the boss along ages ago.

That's happened to me a few times Ann, where I've knocked a key and lost a post, it's so annoying especially if you have a long post and you have to start all over again. What a spot of luck rooting the pair of trousers out that were heading for the Charity shop, good job you hadn't already taken them isn't it, especially with not being able to find any suitable ones in the shops? The little barrel dog Fleur sounds such a cutie and looks like she's doing well with her training.

I remember finishing school at 4pm and walking home in the dark, I think that's why they changed it to 3.30 so we could make it home safely in daylight. Finishing half way through Friday, I've not heard about that, or that schools finish at 3pm on the other days. At this rate it won't be worth them going to school with all the holidays and leaving so early. It can't be doing their education any good.

Afternoon All,

Just done that thing where you catch a key and your post vanishes!! Why does it always happen near the end of a post. :-S

It's still windy here but no rain yet although the sun has gone now.

Buddy looks good in his hat Frank and I'm sure will attract some comments on his walks. :-) Yes, we want to know if you got the mower or not? I see your boiler troubles will soon be a thing of the past and that your shower is back in action again.

We went to McArthur Glen this morning in a last ditch attempt to find me trousers. No joy though despite the M&S outlet having row upon row (of mostly black ones). OH got some shoes which pleased him and we had some nice jacket potatoes with cottage cheese before we came home.

Now I have pinned up the FIRST trousers I got, ready to sew while OH is out at footie tonight. I'm also doing another pair I had never worn that were thrown out for the charity bag!! I fished them out, tried them on and they fitted better than I remembered, so will be another option!

Little Fleur the Westie next door came hareing over to greet me when we got home. She's grown no end and is a little barrel now and teething so chewing at everything including my handbag strap. We were pleased to see the neighbour has started some training now and made her wait and sit when she was getting overexcited, till she calmed down. She soon picked up on what was wanted and then did a little whimper of impatience to be getting on with her walk! The same neighbour has a fence that goes up to the opening where the gate has been installed and said someone had knocked his concrete post on the skew which is why the wind blew his fence panel down.

I bet Jane is enjoying catching up with her sister. It's been a bit chilly for any sitting outside here though.

No, we never had Mayday off at school either and I think half term was only a few days. The schools round here finish at 3.00pm now, where as we didn't finish till 4.00pm. I read yesterday that some schools have started to finish on Friday at lunchtime!! :-0

The rubber pondliner should be great for roofing the nestboxes Mel. Will you have to travel far for more screws?

Gill Lol if the boss has gone skiing maybe that is why he asked for another 5000. :-D

Love the picture of Buddie in his hat Frank, Ros had made a good job of it, that'll keep his ears warm when he goes for a walk. :-) Did the wind break the glass in your greenhouse? Were you successful on buying your mower yesterday?

You timed that just right for your coffee AnnG. So the Blackbirds are looking at your clematis it'll be nice if they decide to nest there.

So you only found one screw Mel, that won't go far, I assume you've bought some more and OH is getting on with the chicken house, it sounds like he's a fast worker, it'll be finished in no time if the weather holds up. It's nice and sunny here but not very warm.

Next door has just had all his white goods delivered so the kitchen must be almost finished now. I can hear banging so assume the floor boards are being done, they got damaged in all the rooms when they were doing the gas and electric so the owner has insisted the broken ones are replaced. It wouldn't surprise me if that's why the boss asked him for another 5K. One workman was telling OH yesterday that the boss had gone skiing last week, so that might explain why they only worked 2 days. Apparently the boss told the worker to go to Liverpool to work on a property there.

Afternoon all,

Just back from taking my teeth in for repair. I also measured up for FOUR pieces of glass for the greenhouse. There is a place in town that cuts it while you wait. We then went on to Tesco. I sat and had a coffee while Ros got the bits we needed.

Nice that the Blackbirds are looking at nesting close by. We have them most years behind the garage in a bush/tree.

Forgot to take my glass's with me this morning, so wasn't able to read the paper while Ros shopped.

Did any of you get thew picture of "BUDDY" the French Bulldog in his hat. ?? I sent it this morning. If you didn't get it, I will send it again.

That wind has got up and it's so COLD. But the sun is lovely behind glass.

Good afternoon all

Not doing a lot today, we popped out for the paper and to post a letter then called in to the community hub for coffee, just got here ahead of the Tuesday walking group (29 of them all after coffee), so that was fortunate. We then went round to the local garden centre which no longer has a cafe but couldn't see anything we needed except a bag of bird seeds (the cheap ones that go in the feeder the doves and wood pigeons use). OH is out in the garden fixing a small piece of trellis on to the larger trellis for his clematis.

We have had a pair of blackbirds examining the clematis on the fence by the house. I can't think they will use it so close to the house. If they only knew it is probably the safest place for them.

He has put the next box roof on today and covered it with pond liner. The rubber one so the should keep it nice and dry inside. He still has the doors to make yet but he ran out of screws this morning and I have been hunting for strays but only found one.

It's nice to watch the birds building nests but not so nice having to clear up after them is it? It looks like you distracted her with the mealworms Mel ;-)
I don't remember having as many holidays as they do now when I was in school either, I'd never heard of teacher training days back then, although I'm sure they had them, maybe there just wasn't as many as they have now.

OH cleaned up a pile of moss off the patio this morning and now there's more, like I said it can wait until later or I'll be in and out all day and it's not very warm even though the sun is out.

Yes, it's good news about Franks boiler, although 7.30 is very early, hopefully he'll have a decent nights sleep tonight so he won't be to tired in the morning. I've not heard that saying for a fair few years either.

How is your OH getting on with the chicken house? I can't wait to see a pic when it's all finished.

Gill I have just had a blackbird come to the patio with grass in her beak and a bit of moss and she saw the mealworms and put the nesting stuff down on the patio and then flew off without it. So that more for me to clear up.

It is good about Frank's boiler is'nt it. They will be as snug as bugs in a rug. Hav'nt heard that for a while.

When we were children and waited for the school holidays the time dragged on so and it seemed years to the next holiday. Now next doors boys seem to always be on holiday for something. I don't think we had May Day when we were at school either.

Morning Frank and Mel, morning all

Nice and sunny here today, I've just been watching the Blackbird getting all the moss out of our gutter for her nest, the moss must be right down in the gutter as we couldn't see it, it'll save OH a job of clearing it out. She is making a bit of a mess on the patio but I can soon clean that up later when she's finished. I still can't see her using the nest as it's only about 7 foot high in our hedge behind the screening, but time will tell I suppose.

Good news on the boiler front, you really do need a new one, at least you have your heating today Frank so that's good. Sorry to hear you had a bad night though, maybe Mel is right and the worry of the boiler has been playing on your mind.

Yes, I've noticed how quickly this year has gone by so far Mel and how shopping days are coming around quickly to. I don't remember time passing this much when i was younger. At least the weather has improved on last night and you have the sun. Your OH should be able to get on with his work, now the rain and hail have stopped.

Enjoy your lunch with Janice today Jane, it'll be nice to have a catch up with her and to see Fitz to.

Morning Mel and All,

Just had a phone call from Julia. Brian the plumber and his mate will be here tomorrow morning at 7.30 am to fit the new boiler. So I must be sure to be up and dressed for when they arrive.

The heating came on by itself this morning, so we are nice and warm. We are going take my bottom plate to be repaired later, and do a bit of shopping. DON'T FORGET IT'S PANCAKE DAY. I ill make some for Ros, She loves hers with Lemon and sugar. !!! ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) as do I. !!

Enjoy Janice's visit today Jane and of course Fitz. Did he get a new laptop. ??

Nice clear funny morning here with no wind which is a nice change. But it looks cold out there. So wrap up if you are going out.

Chicken Casserole tonight with mash.

See you later. xxxx

Morning all,

A much brighter day here today and not windy to. We even have a bit of sunshine which is nice.

Oh is out doing something to the chicken house and I am here drinking my first cuppa of the day.

Sorry you had a bad night Frank I hope you got to sleep in the end. It must be the worry of the boiler and shower thats upsetting you and then of course there's the teeth.I hope you get it ll sorted soon as the mornings and evening are still quite chilly.

Shopping day for me again. Why do they come around so quickly????? and I was out yesterday afternoon getting the fitting for the doors and nest box.

It's only me. I can't sleep.

Harvey came up got the shower working and the gas fire in the lounge. He tried the boiler but it only fired up for 1 minute then died. After he had gone home 8.00pm I went to close the bedroom curtains and turn down the bed, The bedroom radiator was hot, as were all the other in the bungalow. He did say that we would be having a new boiler fitted this week. When asked about the paying of it. He said don't worry it will all be sorted. I will ask Conrad if he can help as well and they might let my pay something towards it. At least I hope they WILL.

Frank what are we going to do witih you? You never have things happen by halves do you. I hope you can get a new boiler and be warm once and for all. I remember you breaking your teeth once before and then not getting on too well with your new set.

We have had a rotten day weatherwise today. Every time oh went out this morning to do a bit on the chicken house in the sun, over came the clouds and it rained heavily. Then we had hail.

I went to get the pills from Holsworthy this afternoon and on the way back I had sleet coming down heavily. then tonight we had hail again and it settled on the pond surrounds and the edge of the grass and is still out there now. we had thunder too. Such strange weather. I am hoping this is april showers in March and we have a good April.

Jane what a treat to be seeing Janice. Its quite a while from the wedding so you will have a lot of catching up to do. If your weather is anything like ours I know you won't be eating outside!!!!!!!

Love Big Ted. He is just like my Tessie Bear and she will be 68 this year as I hd her when I was two. She's been in the washing machine a couple of times but still growls.

Must get back to Endeavor now.

We had hail about a quarter of an hour ago and now at 11.06 we have thunder.

I watch Rich kids go Skint Jane, I think the posh children are very polite and very understanding towards the people they stay with and I love it when they give the poorer people a little gift, it's so thoughtful and means so much to them.
How did James get on at the Speed Awareness class, good job you reminded him? It'll be nice to catch up with Janice.

Your OH says the most funniest things doesn't he Ann and the one you said about Jane's avatar was funny too. 39 degrees is very hot, I don't think I'd be able to cope with such heat. That was nice of her to give you bigger portions of lamb, she obviously values your custom.

How lucky have you been drying your washing today Mandy, it's been terrible weather here after a sunny start and it's not looking to good for the next few days either.

Evening all,

Mel what a veg garden you had ,all neat and tidy it must have been a lot of hard work to keep it like that .

Been quite a nice day here ,got the washing all dry even though it didn't go out until middle of the afternoon .

Frank what a weekend you've had ,glad you enjoyed your meet up with the family just a shame you've had all these problems since you've got home .
Hope you can get things sorted out and you get the mower later tonight .

I knew taps haven't got the washers in ,now they have little plastic disc's in ,i only know because we had a dripping tap and Colin's brother ( plumber ) came and put a new disc in for us .

Oh i see Jane is now a little bear :-D :-D so you did it in the end ,i was going to change mine but knowing you were having trouble put me off doing it .
Good job you remembered Jame's had the Speed Awareness class today as you say he might have had the points added if he missed it .


Ann that made me smile about the flu jab :-D :-D how does he think of them so quickly .