General Chat

Just had toast and My Mate and delish it was too.

I amon church flowers today and have to get 4 long bunches into the church without getting blown away! Wish me luck.

Think I shall have to go up the shop first as the flowers take me a long while. There is 1 BIG vase on a stand two on the alter and one little one in the church porch.

I have bought yellow, white and pom pom chrysants in a gold and a bunch of alstromeria in dark pink and gold. If it is'nt too bad I shall get some green stuff from around the garden and may pick some Hydranga's as I still have some in the garden that are ok and they fill the BIG vase up nicely.

What a journey you had Frank. I often wonder if these sat nav's are any good. Whenever we have used ours it is forever telling us to turn around! When we know we are going in the right direction and know some of the roads.

I agree with Mel about the sat navs coming back from Hastings last month it was a blessing as we wanted to avoid the M25 and A21 but from Ludlow a complete joke and when we were in Somerset it would have taken us through a field

Depends which sat nav you have Mel and whether it's updated often enough bearing in mind the road layouts change fairly frequently. We've got TomTom,and it's proved a godsend, particularly for unfamiliar journeys, but they do advise you to upgrade it at least once a year to avoid being sent down roads that don't exist any more or whatever!!
Think we'll have lunch at lunchtime today, so better get on!!

Morning all

Raining here when I got up half an hour ago, but the sun seems to have made an appearance now....but for how long, who knows?????

Sorry to hear your journey wasn't very good Frank, but at least you got your mower, does it work ok? You've probably only had a chance to turn it on, maybe in the garage to test it out as it sounds to wet to cut the lawns. Hope it works well for you when the time is right :-)

Hope Cass manages to get her walk today if it's not to wet Liz, they say it's going to be a stormy weekend, very windy and wet, hope you get a break in the weather long enough for her to go out.

We've never had a Sat Nav, OH is pretty good with directions and I'm a dab hand checking maps, although we do get some directions online on the route planner sites, so we have a rough idea where we're going and so far we've not had any problems on the journey's we've taken over the years.

Good luck Mel, hope you don't get blown away at the church and that it's not to wet for you to find what you want in the garden.

When I first got up and saw all the rain, I was glad we hadn't gone away after all. We were looking more for a self catering lodge or something like that, as we were going to take a look for property as well and other things, but like Mel said everywhere is closed now until the spring. It's handy to know about all the hotels though because if we do sell our bungalow this year we'll need to take a trip down to Devon to find a new place, if that's where we decide to move to. We're still not sure weather to stay in this area for a little longer to give us a chance to save a bit more money, as the prices of property down there are more than they are up here, or weather to get a small mortgage and move down there now.

Ancestry have their Military records open until the 11th November for free, so I'm going to take a look at them today, to see if I can do a bit more of my tree. I did notice that you have Atkinson mentioned on your researching area David. I have Atkinson's on my tree too......you never know we might end up being related :-D :-D

Going to get a cuppa now, see you all later

Jane, I was disappointed the avatar wouldn't enlarge for you. So I approached the same photograph from different direction and with relative ease was able to enlarge it
to A4 size. Then I filed the enlarged photograph in my documents. My intention was to send the enlargement to you as an attachment to an e-mail. BUT I can't because the
said photo is in cloud....I haven't got cloud :-( :-S

Still hissing with rain, and the wind is almost gale force. There aren't many leaves left on the Cherry tree, so it's doing some good. I think the neighbours gardens are getting a fair share of my leaves. lol

Tony just rang to see if I was going out this lunchtime. NO THANKS. I will stay in the warm and dry !!!

Carolyn is on the church list for doing the flowers, and sometimes brings some to Ros as she has bought to many.

Yes, I will have to wait to try the mower. It does look well looked after, and the woman (who was very nice) says it cuts perfectly. It has been cleaned very well even underneath looks like it's been steamed cleaned. So I hope everything will be fine as it was too wet to try when I picked it up. If I have any trouble with it I will contact them.

I thought you had decided against going to Devon Gill, as it's to expensive. But if you want to be in that area, you will have to bite the bullet, and get a mortgage. You and OH aren't too old to take one on are you ???

The sat. nav. might need updating. I think you can do it on the computer, but I don't know how. I will have to ask Conrad or Jonathan (who we class as out THIRD son) our old next door neighbour. I must admit it has never let us down before, and we have been to some weird places. !!!!

Will see if there is anything worth looking at on T.V. this afternoon. There is bound to be something on NAT GEO or EDEN.

I think tonight it's the remembrance service from the Albert Hall. I never miss that, likewise I will be watching the service from Whitehall tomorrow morning.

Have a good afternoon all, see you later.

We've had a walk Gill! I just have to put wet weather gear on, as Cas has to go whether it's rain or shine!! She is now wrapped up in a towelling coat that once belonged to Millie!! I left OH cooking lunch, which is now just about ready!
I'm afraid house prices are pretty high in the South West, However, if you go into the town they tend to be cheaper. Tiverton is a lovely little town, (I used to work there) and property was quite a bit cheaper than in the surrounding villages.

Gill, have you looked at the " Cottages4You" web site they have a lot of cottages in November for Devon

The mower sounds perfect Frank, hope it works as well as the woman said it does, pity you couldn't use it with all the rain around. Have you tried turning it on inside the garage just to check it actually works, you can see how it cuts in the spring when the weather is dryer, but at least you'll be able to get an idea of how it is now?

Both OH and I are in our 40's Frank so not to old to get a mortgage and with retirement age at 70 years old now, there's plenty of time to take the mortgage over the next 20 years if we have to. OH wasn't to keen on getting another mortgage but is coming round to the idea as it said in the newspaper last week that property prices were rising 25% over the next few years, so if we don't bite the bullet as you say Frank, we might miss out altogether. It's a big decision and one we will have to think about very carefully :-S :-S

OH has just took himself off to the doctors, well, I made him go. It sounds as if he has a chest infection and maybe a throat infection too. He's one of those people who won't go to the doctors when he needs to, but in the past he has left it so long that the antibiotics haven't worked first time round and he's had to get more, so I said it's best to get it checked out now before it gets to bad. He didn't object which I'm thankful of.....I do worry about him sometimes, which he calls fussing, but isn't that what wife's are for LOL.

I think having no heating isn't helping either, I'm trying my best to keep the place warm but it's not easy with just a small heater and an electric fire, I'll be glad when the new boiler goes in and I can heat the whole place properly and run hot baths again. I just hope it doesn't go to cold before then, luckily it's quite mild at the moment, even if it has started raining again :-( :-(

Just noticed the extra posts, thanks Liz and Anne for your advice I'll look into now while OH is out at the doctors. I get more done when I'm on my own LOL.

Yes Frank you can update sat nav on line, it's not that difficult, (only a bit!!!) but can cause a bit of huffing and puffing!!
It's really warm here, and we haven't got any heating on at all. Last night we didn't light the log burner till after 6pm, and next thing we were doing was opening the window!!
We shall be joining you Frank, both at the Albert Hall and the Cenotaph. Like you, We both set great store by it as do both our children, and grandchildren, particularly our 8 year old grandson, who is very 'earnest' about what happened to all the brave men who fought in both world wars, particularly 'your dad' as he puts it! He is such a lovely little boy.

Well you won't be using the mower today Frank.We have just had the heaviest downpour!!!!!!..Don't think Chris will want to go and dig parsnips either for me.But it is supposedto dry up later(so they say)

We have a new SatNav which is much better and more reliable than the old one.But there are times when I still like to have a good old map .Did you manage to keep your cool with getting the run around yesterday? :-D ;-)

Gill I'm sure there would be some self catering available or as Anne said Travel lodge or Premier Inns can be really good value sometimes.Mind you Devon with this weather wouldn't be much fun...(sorry Mel :-D)I think it is stay at home weather.

Chester has been up and down like a yoyo obviously needing to go out.He has finally had to go and has used his tray.Must have had his legs crossed for hours :-S

Frank you men are so lucky to be able to just hop out of the car and find a hedge or some bushes.It is such a palaver for us gals.

I have a feeling the sun is up there somewhere as it seems to have stopped raining and it's looking just a tad brighter.(even though there are some very dark clouds still about).I have turfed Thomas out quickly while it is dry.Hopefully now he can stay out until about 5 when I shall call him in.Wicksteed Park Fireworks could be very noisy tonight ,especially if the wind is blowing this way.

Anne is Amy fully recovered now?I do hope so.it is so upsetting when we have a sick pet.They just can't tell us what they are feeling can they.

My Hairdresser Nigel and his wife and children always book one of these HUGE houses Anne for a holiday with all the rest of their families.Usually somewhere with 10 or more bedrooms,Swimming Pool,Games room etc.He says like you Anne that when the cost is split between so many it works out really quite inexpensive.I think it is brilliant way of having a holiday with all the family or group of friends.
I must get Chris to discuss where and when we might have our holiday next year.I would love Venice again but as he says we have done that now,which I do agree with .I just love the place .There has been talk of maybe going to Seville or Valencia with my Sister and BIL later next year.They are going back to Lake Garda in July so I don't know if funds will run to another holiday .

Hannah is going to Thailand on the 28th December .I think for 2 weeks.Jess wants to book somewhere in Paris for her and James for New Year.We will be staying put :-D :-D

The sun is out and I can actually see a lot of blue sky !!!!!!!...It 's pretty breezy though..
Chris has gone down the garden for a quick bonfire and to get these parsnips :-D

I tried to copy cut and paste the enlarged photo on to here but there's a hitch....

it's in cloud, which I haven't got. :-S

Just noticed in my last post I called Thomas, Chester :-(..I keep doing that.I must confuse him too as I must do that several times each day lol

David ,I think we will just have to squint at your Avatar.I tried with the magnifying glass and it still isn't good enough..Never mind.We know which one is you even though can't see your cheeky face :-)

Oh Gill I would love to be back in my 40's..I think they were the best years.
Chris has been able to apply for his Bus Pass today !!!! :-( I have never known him catch a bus.He is 62 .I didn't think you could get a pass until 65.

I hope your OH is ok.he must feel bad if you managed to persuade him to go to the Dr.
I have heard so many people today in the supermarket with hacking coughs.I got out of there as quick as possible..But then come home to James doing the same thing :-S
He asked me to get a big bottle of Lemsip Max and a Vicks Stick to sniff .He and Jess were going out tonight for a meal with friends but have cancelled now.

We have used Cottages4You and Country Cottages.Also English Country Cottages.Never really had a bad one yet.Some better than others but on the whole really good.

I have actually hung the washing out !!!!!.While the wind blows and the sun shines(sun beginning to go down now though).I just want all the shirts to dry.The pants socks etc are in the T Drier...It is almost wall to wall blue out there now .

Jane, Amy is a lot better and was quite playful today, she has an appointment to see Margaret the vet again on Monday for her yearly jabs and claws trimmed. I also have to take a sample of her wee which should be fun as she squats very close to the ground when she goes, any tips on this anyone.

When we were on holiday in August to with Abbie & Becky we spotted a fish & chip shop by a row of shops. we managed to park in a very small car park next door. Paul & Richard went in to order and left the three of us & Amy in the car, A chap about 50 came out with his order and appeared to be looking at the view over the fence until one of the girls spotted that he was doing a wee. There were a lot of people about and it was a very busy road.

One of those tin foil dishes Anne might be a good thing to collect a sample in.Just wait until she squats and slip it under.Following her around will be the difficult bit probably lol.
Boy dogs are a lot easier.I was a dab hand with the little specimen pot when I had to get a sample from Chester when his Kidneys started failing.He was a dog that squatted.He never cocked his leg.But at least I could see where to hold the pot :-D
Oh the things we have to do !!

Cor blimey you lot have been busy nattering while I was up the churc h and then got lunch. I am still reading your posts.

OH has just got back from the doctors Jane, he said it was packed down there. He had to go to the out of hours surgery at the local hospital as our doctors isn't open at the weekend. He has got tonsillitis so has some antibiotics to take. His chest was clear but the doctor said because we haven't got any heating that won't have helped his asthma so she's given him an inhaler as well which should help. It's gone really cold outside now so it's taking a bit longer for this place to warm up, even though I've got the heater and the fire both on. I even warmed up some stew I made and thought having the oven on might help but it didn't really do much. It was so mild this morning so I can't believe how cold it's gone now and it's only going to get colder as the night gets here :-( I'm going to put the heater in our bedroom for an hour before we go to bed tonight as that might help OH to sleep better.....I know, I'm fussing again LOL.

I've had a look on cottages4you Anne, it's brilliant and I noticed that there is one for a week starting 21st November which means if we get the chance to go I'd be away for my birthday on the 23rd November. It all depends on how OH is first though as it's quite a long way to drive. I've been looking on Rightmove and have found a few properties we can afford, so all in all a good day tinterweb wise :-D :-D

I had to stop typing as the Estate Agent has just rang with feedback from the woman who viewed yesterday. Apparently she loved the bungalow and garden but doesn't like the feel of the street so won't be wanting a second viewing. Guess there's no need to go to Devon looking for another property now :-( :-(

How did you get on Ann with the 5 viewings you had on MIL and FIL's place, did you get some feedback in the end? Hope you are having better luck than us <3

Glad to hear Amy is on the mend now Anne, you must be so relieved? I did laugh when you were telling the story of the man weeing by a busy road. I bet he thought he hadn't been spotted, that'll teach him the mucky mare.

Going to nip out to the local shop at the bottom of the road, OH has ran out of milk and wants a cup of tea. I take mine black so don't always noticed if we are running low on milk. He normally lets me know but I think with not feeling very well he must of forgotten.
BBL

Just lost a big posting by backspacing again. I MUST STOP doing this. ANYWAY.

I have tried the mower in the garage, everything is working as I expected. I might take the blade of and get Mick across the road to sharpen it before I use it again.

Jane, Ros did a big load of colours earlier, they are on the line having a good blow. Only u/pants and her undies on the radiators. She will do a Whites wash tomorrow, if the weather is fine.

I wasn't going to mention Chester. But I guessed you had got him mixed up with Thomas. You can never forget a pet, can you ??

Gill, there are plenty of sites where you can find somewhere to rent in Devon/Cornwall/ in fact any area you want to try. !!

When I think that all four of my children are older than you and your OH. You make me feel OLD. I am sure the William, Shirl, Ruby and Anne feel the same. But we are all young at heart.

Did the flower arrangements go off alright Mel, When is the young woman's funeral ?? will you be doing the flowers for that too ??

I think that chap took a chance of not being reported. What a place to relieve yourself. I was at least in the middle of the Country, even though a couple of cars went by, buy I was well in the hedge, so no embaresment (sp) can't be bother to look it up !!

Ros has gone to get the car cleaned, as after yesterday's trip it's mud coloured. She will also pop into Tesco for odds and ends.

See you later,

Chester has been up and down like a yoyo obviously needing to go out.He has finally had to go and has used his tray.Must have had his legs crossed for hours %3A-S


Did you mean Thomas Jane lol