General Chat

We had a really nice trip today. 2 car loads, four in each and just us at the garden. It has been a glorious sunny blue sky day and we sat out in the garden to have the preliminary talk and then to have coffee and cake and it was really warm. Fantastic garden but not one of the 'manicured' ones. a garden of two halves. One half very big and full of daffodils, beautiful, then the garden round the house, again big, lawns and helebores, more daffodils and lots of old trees. The house is Elizabethan proobably needs a lot of maintenance (as does the garden) . It originally belonged to the man's Grandfather, then he lived there with his parents and then with his wife when they married. those of us who went in to the loo could not believe how full of furniture and "stuff" it is. I suspect there is something to be gained by moving occasionally when you get rid of stuff, but nobody has actually moved from the house. Very nice people plus the friend who helps with the garden visits, teas etc. All in aid of the open gardens and the tea and cake in aid of the local hospice.
Afterwards we drove along the A38 on the way back towards Gloucester and stopped at a small garden centre where we had lunch. I had really nice jacket potsto with smoked salmon and cream cheese plus a large amount of salad and coleslaw. (8.95 which I thought was really good value).. Sat taling for ages , just the four from our car the others went elswhere for lunch. I got home at 3pm. a lovely day out.

Yes Jake and his Dad did a few jobs and they are coming again on Friday to do some more. Riley made two good substantial gates for the side passage, not posh wood as I didn't need that but bigger gates than I had before with good bolts and padlocks if I need them. They also cleared all the rubbish from the passage, loads of it, Plus some stuff from the garage which is great. Friday they will gravel the passage with the pink that I have out the back as well as several other jobs.

Gill I hope you are getting over th sore throat etc and not overdoing things with the painting.

I'm still catching up with autumn jobs outside, so cleared all the old Hosta leaves and cut back a couple of shrubs, but I still need to do the back of them. I filled two medium humpers, pulled a few weeds from the gravel and that was me done outside. OH cut the dead wood from one of the hardy fuschias and came in as well then. I next sorted a narrow drawer in the bed base and found jeans I can wear now. Annoying as I bought some more recently and needn't have done. I managed to find a fleece to replace one I'm wearing but nothing for the charity shop. I bet you are pleased you can buy some smaller cropped trousers now Mandy! :-D

I too hope Gill's throst is better and she has managed to get the wallpaper up so the new carpet can go down.

Mandy yes the phones ok and it was'nt wet when I picked it up and worked ok thank goodness. I would have had to drive up to the potting sheds in the dark thats why I left it there over night. we always use the Cuprinol Shades on the shed snd filter shed and the garage and find it very good.

Hope Anng had a good trip out and a nice lunch. I expect she'll tell us all about it when she gets home.

Done a lot of ironing this morning. I like to do things when its sunny as I don't use any leccy then with having the solar panels.

Drilled a couple of miniatures so they can be finished off now and put two lots of things on Ebay. It takes me so long to make sure I have everything right. Also took pics of other things to put on Ebay.

The suns been out all day but theres a bitterly cold quite high wind today. Its 9 degrees now with a clear blue sky.

Afternoon all,

Lovely day here with not a cloud in the sky ,Colin has started painting but round the back as we never went to get the paint for the front fence yesterday we decided we'd get it when we go shopping ,bit silly just going out for the paint when we go past Roys on shopping day and could pick it up then.

I had a bit of a sweep in front of the shed ,lots of leaves from ths trees in the churchyard ,I also had a tidy in the shed ,I was going to do a bit of gardening in the front but didn't feel like doing any so it will get done another day .

Gill I hope your throat isn't to bad and you can manage to get the papering done so the carpet can go down , what else have you got to do inside .

Mel I take it your phone worked OK after leaving it outside .

Ann you are good getting these draws all sorted ,I did make a start on mine then lost the will to do anymore but I must as there's lots I need to get rid of .
I need to start looking for some new sandals and another pair of trainers ,I also need some new cropped trousers as mine are all to big now since I lost some weight .

Anng hope you've enjoyed your trip out today ,how did Jake get on yesterday did he make a start on your job list.

Vera hope your having a less hectic day today but it sounds as if you got a lot done yesterday.
You and Ann asked about the paint colour ,yes its just Seasoned Oak but this time we're using the Cuprinol shades paint ,we usually have the Ronseal fence paint but we've found it doesn't last that long and soon seems to fade and the shades paint that we have on the garden benches and the wood shed still looks good ,so we thought we'd give that a try on the fence .

Afternoon All,

A lovely sunny day today but cold out of the sun. It was nice not having to be up so early this morning and just as well as the windowcleaner turned up.

I hope your OH's back has eased a bit since the MRI Gill. I hope your throat is a bit better too as I expect you will be busy doing the wallpapering before the carpet is fitted and it will be nice to see the room finished and looking good. Are the kitchen and bathroom done now?

It's a nice day for your garden trip AnnG. I expect you may be having lunch out too to round off the trip.

We went to a garden centre this morning and had nice breakfast baps with our choice of 3 fillings. We thought we'd have a look at their little greenhouses they used to have, only found they don't have them anymore and have mostly sheds and garden rooms now. We then went to another village that has a large shoe warehouse as OH wants to get some new trainers for walking, but he didn't see anything he liked and has decided he may already have some in a box in his wardrobe he should look for first. He's gone for a short walk now.

I am sorting again, another drawer and might go outside and may start doing a bit of cutting back and weed a few bits till my back says no more.

Good morning all, 2 degrees foecast to go up to 12. bright and a bit of sun. off out later to an open garden in South Gloucestershire, being picked up at 0950.

Morning all,

Its a nice bright morning at the mo so I am hoping it stays that way it 4 degrees and pc says feels like -5 and mostly cloudy. Theres no sign of frost so not sure if we had one or not.

Hi all

I wasn't feeling very well yesterday with a sore throat, ear ache and a headache so thought it best not to be around a screen. Thankfully I feel a bit better today.

We got our bank statement today (paper statement) and when I read it I noticed that a shop had taken the payment for some nets out twice, so I rang them. The lady looked into it and rang me back a couple of hours later. Apparently the money had gone into their bank account twice, but only showed up on their till once. We went back to the shop and they refunded the second payment, which was almost £200 and told us they're having their till checked as this had never happened before.

The lady was very apologetic, but like I said these things happen and not to worry about it. I also said I hope she gets her till sorted soon. As luck would have it, it was the lady who served me in the first place and she even asked after OH as she knows he has Cancer which I thought was nice. It's only a small shop and very friendly.

OH went for his MRI yesterday and now has back ache as he had to keep still for an hour which he said was very uncomfortable. He managed to book in a blood test for this morning and then went to his mates and took the car for it's MOT. While he was at the garage the phone rang it was the woman from the hospital wanting to speak with OH. Luckily OH came back in time to ring her back before she went home from work and his blood test number has gone up from 3 to 30 so he's got to have another blood test on Thursday. She asked if he had an infection and he said no, but I mentioned that he's got a sore throat so maybe he has an infection after all. The hospital were very quick ringing him about his blood test as it was only 7 hours later. They haven't got his MRI results yet but will ring him as soon as they have it.

We did manage to order a carpet for the living room today as the shop happens to be around the corner from the shop we had to go to for the refund. They wanted to fit it on Friday but we're off to a Funeral and the fitter doesn't work on a weekend so it's being fitting next Monday. OH has his first physio appointment for his back on Monday, so I'll see to the carpet man when he gets here. I've got to wall paper the chimney breast before then, then the room will be fully decorated.

You were lucky your phone was okay being outside overnight Mel. Good idea not to go and get it in the dark especially if you think you've had an intruder. I also think you should report the goings on in your potting shed to the police, you never know this person could of stolen things elsewhere too and you might be lucky enough to have your stolen items returned.

How lovely to see your family and little grandson AnnG, it's so nice when family get together.

You've been busy today Vera, your top sounds lovely. I like lace patterns.

The weather is suppose to warm up over the next few days Mandy so maybe it'll be warm enough for the fence painting to be done.

The small keyboard sounds handy Ann. I didn't realise keyboards were molded to the rest of the laptop though. I had trouble getting onto my laptop just now. Not sure what the problem was but it seems okay at the moment. I'm hoping it stays that way.

Going to have a cuppa with OH now before he sets off to work.

Did Jake manage to do some jobs for you AnnG? It's not been a bad day for doing outside jobs here, but has been a little chilly.

That's good your phone was still there Mel. Your tray cake sounds different with ginger and cherries with some icing too. I bet Stu will enjoy it. I don't think I've ever seen a white Pheasant, but imagine it would look beautiful with it's tail feathers spread out. (edit, just remembered you said it was a female.) OH's scan is on Thursday.

It's always a relief when you have an outfit sorted for a do isn't it Vera. There's always that fear you won't be able to find something to go with the rest you plan to wear.

I was wondering what colour you were going to paint the fence too Mandy. We need to paint the trellis on top of the bottom fence now it's uncovered and once it is dry enough.

I sorted another drawer, but only one top went in the charity shop bag. There were other odds and ends in there and I shredded some old store cards and vaccination cards for covid that were in an old purse. I also chucked out an old handbag and found my old mobile phone which I had wondered where it was the other day. When I saw how small it was, I was wishing my new one was the same.

We were supposed to be taking OH's car to the garage for 8.15am tomorrow for the update, but he has cancelled it and will book it for a better time. The thought of the inevitable nose to tail shuffle to where the garage is in the city and the amount of dipping the clutch that will make my knee ache has made us decide to book things for mid morning in future and avoid the rush hour if we can. It doubles the time of any journey into the city now.

It’s good you found your phone and it seems to be OK, Mel. Hope your cake turns out well. I’m sure Stu will enjoy a piece.

You’ll soon get that fence painted Mandy. It’s supposed to get warmer from Wednesday on so perhaps you’ll be able to do it then. Are you having a traditional brown stain or have you gone for a colour?

That’s a shame about your keyboard Annx but the one you have bought sounds as though it will do the job for now. It seems as though G’s weight has stabilised now which is good.

How lovely to see your grandson and his partner and baby AnnG. They do grow so quickly, don’t they. Our little great granddaughter is 19 months old already. She wouldn’t know us as we’ve not been able to see her much at all but her mum sends us photos from time to time. I think our two grandsons are alike as they’ve both taken to fatherhood and are very hands-on and have both got themselves a nice little house.

It’s been a bit of a hectic day for us. I got the beds changed and 1 lot of washing done before I had to go to the opticians with OH. As he was going to be in there quite a while I went to do some shopping. I got a bit of foodstuff, a couple of raffle prizes for one of the clubs, some more of my eyedrops and a nice top to wear to a diamond wedding meal on Saturday. It’s a long sleeve jumper but in a sort of lacy pattern and looks quite “posh”. It’s in a sort of creamy colour and I think will look fine with a black skirt and a cream jacket that I’ve got so that’s me sorted.

When I got back to the opticians OH still wasn’t ready but eventually I drove him home. We had lunch and I did more washing and lots of little odd jobs. Now I need to sort us some dinner.

In theory it has been 9 degrees today but there’s been a really bitter north-east wind so it has felt really cold. I hope it’s a bit warmer tomorrow.

Been on the phone to neighbour and they have a pure white female pheasent come in their garden. I get 5 females down here but hav'nt seen the white one. Hope she does come down BIL would love a photo.

What a nuisance abpouut your keyboard Ann. Good that you got a spare if its ever needed again though. OH seems to be getting back into aa routine slowly which is good. When has heto go for his MRI scan I jnbow you told us but it goes in one ear and out of the other with me!!

Its good you now have your paint for the fence Mandy so that job can be done when its dry enough or a little warmer outside.

This morning I went up the top and collected my phone off the top of the leccy meter box and went outside the gate to look and see if the recycling had been and they had and took the big box of punnets too so that was good I shall have to do that again next week now and clear a bit more of the bench in the potting shed.

After that and feeling better about having my phone with me I decided it was time I made the cake I have been wanting to do for ages. Its a tray bake of sponge and when its cool I am going to put cherries and stem ginger onthe top with a drizzle of icing over it. I'll let you know how it turns out. Many years ago when mum and I used to go to Chigwell there was a lovely cake shop there that used to make this cake and we bought some each time we went until they stopped doing it anymore. I have only made two since then and one was for oh. I thought Stu may like a bit when he comes this week.

Afternoon All,

So much for getting my keyboard fixed, they couldn't do it! It seems that the whole top of the laptop would have to be replaced as the keyboard is fixed in manufacture by melting plastic lugs to hold it. I was about to ask which makes of laptop didn't fix the keyboard this way, when I was told they are all doing it now!! Two of the staff there confirmed this was the case. Until I got the new keyboard and looked at the back of it they couldn't tell. So for now I have bought a £20 mini plug in keyboard from them while I decide what to do. I might see if Curry's could replace the whole top (unlikely as I couldn't even get a brand new keyboard part of it) or whether to get a new laptop as the one I have is 5 years old now and it would be just my luck for something else to go wrong with it if I did manage to get it repaired. I was bothered about losing space on my desk using the seperate keyboard (when I have my painting board out) but have found it sits nicely on top of the laptop keyboard without sliding or affecting the laptop keys underneath, so will be fine for the time being. I thought for the price it was a handy thing to have for either of us to use if we get keyboard problems.

I didn't get far at the bathroom place yesterday either. They can't get the flooring I wanted now and it is in short supply everywhere and they wouldn't be able to come and do the work till the autumn. They gave me business cards for two companies who could do the fitting sooner and said to mention their name if I ring them. I am suspicious that they have cut back their number of fitters due to the extra costs this govt are causing and are contracting the fitting work out instead. That way they won't be paying fitters wages when trade is slack either.

How lovely to see your little grandson AnnG. They do grow and change quickly at his age and it was good he was a happy little chap for so long. It's good that dad gets involved with taking care of him too. I was a dabhand at changing nappies at 8 years old, the old terry squares, not the easy modern ones. I remember the curved nappy safety pins and keeping my fingers between the tummy and nappy so I didn't stab my sister. I wasn't motherly, preferred puppies and kittens, but would do it if mum was busy.

Mel I hope your phone was still there when you looked today. It was a good idea to ring it to see if it was still there, but I wouldn't have gone out in the dark either, especially as someone has been in your garden at night recently.

OH is sleeping a bit better now and hadn't lost any more weight when I weighed him at the weekend. He's gone to another council meeting this afternoon, just 15 minutes away. I'm going to sort another bedroom drawer now as I get on quicker when I'm on my own.

Morning all,

Nice and bright now after a dull start and I don't think it's quite as cold.

Oh no Mel I hope its not to wet when you find it ,they say to lay it in rice for a few days to help dry it out .

Not a lot going on here I've just mopped the bathroom floor and going to have a hoover through after my coffee, Roys rang to say our fence paint was in that we ordered so we might nip out and pick that up .

Hope it keeps dry so Jake can get on well with your jobs Anng .

Morning all,

Cloudy and bright here this morning early and its 7 degrees and cloudy now.

I did a silly thing yesterday when I took the recycling up, I took another photo of the leccy meter on my phone and the door to the meter cupboard was torn off in that very high wind we had some time ago so I put my phone on the top of it and went and sorted more stuff in the potting shed. It was till 1.30am I looked for my phone and could'nt find it and rung it and could'nt hear it that I remembered putting it on the leccy box on the outside of the potting shed. I am afraid it had to stay there as I ws'nt going up there in the dark at the dead of night on my own. It was'nt the time I could have asked a neighbour to od it either. So now I am going up there to see if its still there and how wet it is. Wish me luck.......

Good morning all a bit grey out there but dry so far and 4 degrees so hope it stays that way for Jake today. I am up early as he should be here around 9am. I seem to have gone back into the wake at 3-4am and not get back to sleep properly again. I got up at 0630 because I thought I would go back to sleep if I didn't.

Yes Mel they do grow very quickly. I suppose it is more noticeable if we don't see them more frequently. Still it is nice to be able to see him fairly regularly. His Mum is the one who tries to keep him in touch. she is a very good Mum. I suppose it will be different in July when she goes back to work and he goes to nursery. These days they just can't afford to not work. They would very much like to get a slightly bigger house with a garage. The one they are in (and they do appreciate that at least they have a house), has very little storage space and no garage (fairly modern terraced house). But even with two reasonable salaries coming in they can't afford a bigger mortgage.

That was nice to see that lovely gt grandchld with his dad who is quite hands on. Its a lovely age 6 months.They soon grow don't they?

So we will know where you are if we don’t see you on here Ann. I hope it doesn’t take too long
I had a lovely day with Cassian, he is such a good baby, does need a lot of attention but that is because he really want to be on the go and can’t crawl yet. They spent four and a half hours here. It is so good to watch what good parents they are. He is breast fed, on demand, is just six months and they have started him on small amounts of solids which he likes. And grandson changed his nappy without thinking about it more than once and is so gentle doing it talking to him all the time. Grandson is very large (tall) and loud so gentle is a surprise (he is the one who is a Viking re-E actor.) Cassian only got grumpy at the end when he was tired so I expect he slept all the way home.

Our binmen won't take anything that isn't inside the bin except at Christmas, so you are lucky Mel. A friend in the city area gets a few big items a month collected by the council free of charge, but we have to pay for any large items to be collected. It varies so much everywhere.

I may not be on from tomorrow as I'm taking my laptop in for the new keyboard to be fitted. I'm not sure if it will take longer than a day, but probably depends what other work they have on.

I am not sure that its the right one now.

BIL stayed quite a while today and went off about 4.30pm I got the recycling together aand got a lot of the placartons out of the potting shed and put thoses out too. It will be interesting to see if they take them as theres a box full too as well as the recycling box.