General Chat

Heck Frank....What is all this about phone calls and over hanging branches ????
I could have a field day with neighbours one side about all that their stuff that is over ours.

Yes you were missed I did ask where Frankie boy was !!!! You are sounding a bit het up !!!! :-S :-S

Mandy would like to thank everyone for their kind words today.She will be back in a day or two.Poor Tobys legs had gone and he was gently put to sleep at home :-(

So sorry to hear your news about Toby Mandy. You will miss him so much I know after having him so many years. <3 <3 <3

You were missed Frank.

If a neighbours plants come over your boundry you are aloud to cut them off but only what hangs your side as far as I know.

Do be careful if the tree has a TPO (Tree Preservation Order) on it.

Although you can cut out dead wood, living branches can (should) only be removed after Planning Permission has been granted. A neighbour illegally pollarded trees a few years ago. They were fined £2000!

Yes you do have to be careful! You are allowed to cut back any overhanging foliage but you must offer it back to your neighbours, otherwise they can accuse you of theft!! You need to check it out though to make sure. There's a site called Garden Law which covers all aspects of property conflict, boundary disputes, rights of way, hedge heights etct, and tells you all you need to know.

£2000 is a lot of money, I tend to leave trees to do their own thing, but then I have quite a wide and long garden, so it doesn't really effect me. We do have a couple of hedges that we keep tidy, but the trees are pretty much left alone, apart from pruning the fruit trees every now and then.

OH is starting to feel the benefit of the antibiotics now Jane, so will be back in work on Friday. We have the boiler man coming round tomorrow so OH was off anyway and we have plans for Thursday as that would of been OH's day off too, so it would of only been Wednesday he would of been in work apart from Sunday (Yesterday). It's nice to see him eat and sleep properly, as he doesn't do much of either when he's working 12 hours shifts all the time.

I'm so glad he's here though, with the weather the way it is, I wouldn't of wanted him going out in that weather every day, although he did have to go outside earlier and sort out the lock on the side double gates as they blew open with the wind and the lock wouldn't close, it only took him five minutes and now they close properly again.

Going to bed soon, we have to be up early tomorrow for the boiler man. We're just waiting 20 minutes so OH can take his last antibiotic of the day. That'll give me enough time to shut the laptop down and tidy up.
See you all tomorrow.
Night Night

Most of the mature trees around here have TBOs on them. We’ve one on a Purple Beech in our front garden. That was transferred from an Acacia that had to be felled after the 1986 storms.

The garden at our rear has them on virtually all their trees, including several Leylandi, horrible things. Although they baffle the road noise, the roots & branches have turned part of our garden into a desert where nothing will grow.

Every few years the owners apply to the council for permission to do work on the native trees. The council consultation letter always encloses a copy of the application which mentions Gently this and Gently that. The Tree Surgeons version of Gentle isn’t quite the same as ours.

Good morning each :)

Memory from childhood....My cup is full and running over.
The title of a hymn we used to sing at Clarence Street Mission Sunday school
They had a magic lantern and showed slides of the Scriptures.
Wonderful stuff to a child. I spent a short time at St. Jude's as a choir boy.

I was up early to ley one of Ellen' cats out. There was a fox in our garden.
The cat came straight back in and used the litter tray.

My "chop" in 1978 or there about was an unwise uncounselled decision.Tis done.

I deprived my parents grand children is one way I sometimes see it.

Morning all

Another very windy dull day and it's just started to rain again. We've decided not to put the heater on in the hall as we don't want this place to warm when the EPC man turns up. If we get a bad report on this place then it's less we have to contribute to the grant. We'll put the heater on after he's gone, so we've just got the electric fire on in the living room for now.

We checked for a TPO on a tree in one of our old houses before we took it down, luckily there's wasn't one but it didn't stop the neighbours complaining to the council (They weren't very nice neighbours, especially her) The council turned up when we were in the middle of chopping the tree down. I explained we'd been in touch with the council and he said everything was ok with what we were doing but he had to call round because a complaint had been made. He just reminded us that if any of the neighbours fences or sheds were damaged we would have to pay to get them repaired or replaced. Needless to say the neighbour wasn't very happy that the tree was still going to be chopped down. She kept saying, loud enough for us to hear, that the tree has done more for the environment then any human being. She was right of course but failed to notice that we had actually planted a number of other trees anyway, which would still do good in their own way. I was glad when we moved. We even had to put fencing up when they were away otherwise they would of complained about that too. Again she wasn't very happy when she returned home, but couldn't do anything about it as we had got permission for that as well. The fence was 6ft high. The only reason we put it up was because she was so nosey and we couldn't take anymore. After the fence went up, because she couldn't see into our garden anymore, she actually walked through the gate and asked what we were doing........talk about cheeky :-0 :-0 It was quite a shock to say the least. I felt sorry for the next people who moved in after us.

We only took the tree down because of the seeds, they were getting into my girls hair when they played in the garden and if they played in the swimming pool trying to get the seeds out of wet hair hurt them. The seeds even ended up in the house too, it was horrible. The tree was far to big for the small garden anyway and blocked out quite a bit of light.

I hope you are feeling a little better this morning Mandy, it takes time, but as each day passes the pain eases a bit. I'm thinking of you <3 and know how you feel with losing 3 pets of my own.

Going to get a cuppa now then get dressed before the EPC man turns up, he's due between 10.30 and 11.30 and Sandra is still asleep, so I'll have to wake her up soon too.
BBL

Morning all and evening Kim,

Not so bad this morning as the wind seems to have dropped and its not raining but the sky is still dull grey.

I had willow for weaving planted out the front on oh's field. When he sold his house the man who lives there sprayed my willow trees with weed killer. He had also sprayed a bit of his own sloe hedge so I knew what he had done. I used to cut them every December so they did'nt cut the light out from his garden. Since he sprayed them I have left the couple left to grow so he shot himself in the foot really.

Finished one of what I am making and done some bits for the others. ;-)

Morning all, Evening Kim,

I see most of my post regarding the tree saga, has been taken out by GR. I was explaining the true facts of the matter, so why they edited it I don't know

Thanks Liz I will look up about what he can do and what he can't do. It's not the first time I have had trouble with him, and I don't expect it to be the last.

For the first week ever we didn't put our back bin out. There was only one bag in it !!!

Still a breezy overcast morning, which doesn't look like improving as the day progress's.

Carolyn bought round SIX (bags for life) full of apples yesterday. Some eaters, some cookers and some eaters or cookers. It is my job today to distribute them to the neighbours, and stew some more down for us, for the winter.

We had very large pork chops for dinner last night, with Roasts, Parsnips, Brussels , Swede, carrot and peas. While preparing the veg, I did a load for a stew. All Ros had to do was chop up the meat and add the Bisto/Oxo and tins of Oxtail and Tomato soup, and add water. I will put that on this afternoon, so it will be ready for tonight. It's a long time since we have had one.

I hope Mandy is feeling a little better this morning

<3 <3 Thinking of you my love <3 <3 <3

No TBO on this small tree. It's an ornamental type, that my son bought me for Fathers day a few years ago. I can't be more than SEVEN FOOT HIGHT.

Keep at it Mel. I know we will all be surprised when the cat is let out of the bag.

Thanks everyone for your advice and comments about the trees.

See you later.

Morning All,

Dull and grey here but still dry. I have piles of washing to do but you don't feel like putting any in the washer when the weather looks so threatening for rain!

David, you are not kind enough to yourself! My first MIL saved a drawerful of toys etc anticipating her grandchildren from us. After a few years and lots of worry from her daughter who gave her 3 grandchildren, lots of worry and expense and daily childcare to do she changed her views completely. Ellen's kitty didn't want to take on the Fox then.

Gill it does sound like your hubby is improving with the antibiotics but the days at home will do him good. I hope the EPC rating comes out in your favour. You will be able to get the place warmer after the man's been.

I always understood you could cut overhanging branches back to your boundary too and we often have to do it here, particularly one side. It's your word against theirs that you have offered your neighbour their branches so I make sure what I cut drops their side now. ;-) I was annoyed when they fixed trellis to our fence without asking and let a clematis growing on it force it's way through our fence panels. It eventually caused the wooden panel to split and bow forwards with the weight and we had to replace it. It meant we were unable to slide it out to paint it as well. Now we have their ivy growing up the fence and forcing it's way between the planks of wood instead! They had a passionflower plant growing up on a pergola once. It was nice but it's suckers sprouted up everywhere in our garden including in the greenhouse among the tomatoes. Some of our neighbours tried to get a TPO on some of the trees the builder was going to remove including the big Larch type conifers at the end of the close but they wouldn't grant one. I suppose it's because they weren't native trees.

Well first time buyers have made an offer £10,000 below the asking price on the house now and a builder has made a cash offer £7000 below that. We are inclined to go with the FTB offer as we priced the house to be £10,000 more than the estate agent's valuation anyway and there is no chain involved so it could be a quick sale.

OH has gone to meet his dad and the carers at the clinic to do with his Alzheimers and is interested to see if there's anything further they can do and to advise them of the changes to his health since he last went. Then I think we are meeting at the garden centre for a bite to eat.

I forgot to say Jane that I just do my Barnsley chops in the oven. I do sometimes sprinkle herbs over and do a gravy with garlic, tomato and ginger in. I tend to get mine from the farm shop as they are thicker and tend to be more tender than from the supermarket.

Morning All, Hi to Kim

Still windy and heavily raining, and the dampness make's you feel really cold,

Had a lovely time on Saturday, Katherine & I went into Glasgow to do some shopping and Katherine wanted to buy my birthday present, she was unable to buy it back in September, cos first she was working every weekend and also she waited till her wages came in she bought me a lovely bag from Ness and to my surprise a purse to match , I will send a picture ,

Looking really forward to Friday because my Frank & I are going to see the Irish folk group CELTIC WOMEN at Glasgow Concert Hall. we went last year and loved them.

I remember it well Ann , going to the clinic with my dad when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he used to complain about the silly questions the doctor would ask , but as the years went on he didn't remember anyway, my heart goes out to your OH hope all goes well, enjoy your lunch too,

I would have thought with a special needs child they would make a priority of getting a new boiler in much sooner than what you have been told Gill.

Going shopping...................................... :-|

Annx, one of my brother's wives provided my parents with a grand daughter and a

grand son. The grand son my nephew fathered a son. So the IRVINE lineage

continues. Ellen's cat quickly came in fur bristling probably thinking it couldn't even get a censored in peace. Would a fox take a cat?

I would have thought a fox would take a cat if it was hungry enough. They do take baby lambs without much trouble.

Well I have distributed small plastic BAGS FULL OF APPLES to Six neighbours. and peeled and cored about 14lb for ourselves. I have stewed them down, and put them in a BIG plastic box. Ros can bag them up when she gets in. I am about KNACKERED. !!!

Hi Fiona, I don't think you have been around, or I might not have seen you. Nice that you have a nice new handbag and PURSE. !!!

Any news on the boiler gill ?? I would have thought that with Sandra living with you, would give you priority over many people. Keep pushing them ;-) ;-) ;-)

So Mel has gone shopping. Is it the "DONKEY" shop or for pleasure ??

Hope everything went well for OH at the care home Ann. Was he in time to meet you for Lunch. Was it you Favourite one ??

No News from the tree man, I think you are all right, as I also thought, that he can remove any offending branches from his side of the fence. How on earth it can OFFEND anyone, being only 7 ft high. I will never know :-( :-( :-( :-(

The stew is simmering away, and smelling the whole bungalow out. It's making me feel very hungry, as it is smelling so nice. I might pinch a small dish full before Madam gets home. !!!

How nice Fiona, a new bag and purse to match. It sounds like you had a good time. Going to see the folk group on Friday, will be something to look forward to.

Best to leave the tree man to it Frank, it's not worth the hassle most of the time and at the end of the day you have to live by each other, so best to get on than to quarrel :-) :-)

How wonderful you've had some offers on MIL and FIL's house Ann. I think you're right going with the first time buyers, no chain is always good and with you overvaluing the property by the same amount they have reduced it, you have actually got the asking price, so that's good news too. At least you know the first time buyers will look after the place and make it all homely and cosy. They'll be so excited <3 Has your Agent told them yet?
How did your OH get on at the care home?

Well, the EPC man has been and the report wasn't very good, we need extra loft insulation which we'll have to apply for and of course the boiler and some energy saving light bulbs, not sure what else yet until we get a copy of the report. He said it was bad for the bungalow but good for us as we'll probably have very little, or nothing, to pay towards the new boiler. He also said he'll put his report in before 5pm today then it'll take up to 10 days for us to hear what happens next, so still a bit more waiting. We were told it would take around 4 to 5 weeks in total so we're not expecting the boiler until December. We just hope it doesn't go to cold before then, although from Friday the temperature is suppose to be dropping, hope it doesn't drop to far :-( :-(
I don't think Sandra being special needs makes any difference as the grant is designed for people with little money or medical problems anyway, so everyone will be in the same boat. We'll just have to wait our turn I suppose.

Afternoon All

Oh Gil how disappointing for you.Iwas really hoping it would all be straightforward and you would just get the boiler.How on earth are you going to manage for so long with out hot water but especially the heating ?Have you thought of buying a couple of those Oil filled Radiators.They are brilliant and you can just leave them on really low once they have heated and warmed a room .I don't think they are too expensive to run.It might be worth investing in at least one.We have a small one for emergencies and it is amazing how much heat it throws out.

Ooh Ann.It is looking good for you with a sale :-D..I agree that the FTB with no chain sounds the best deal.It would be great to get it all sorted before the end of the year.

I too remember going to the Clinic with my Mum to get the memory testing thing done.
The one where you have to count backwards in 7s from 100 !!!! I couldn't do that one.
Mum was quite good.She got quite stroppy with the consultant and said did he realise that she was always top in Maths LOL and that she wasn't stupid.I found myself doing anwers for the questions she had in my mind.

Fiona it doesn't seem that long ago you went to see Celtic Women.I know how much you enjoyed it.I'm sure it will be just as good second time round :-D
That was a nice present from the girls.

I see you have had your pinny on Frank with the apples and your Stew :-D.Everytime I hear you mention Oxtail soup it makes my face screw up :-S Yuk Yuk!.......It was Mums favourite soup but i just can't stand it.

David I am waiting to be a Grandma ,but the rate things are going with my 2 I am beginning to wonder if I ever will be.Hannah will be 33 in March and James 30 in January and neither settled yet.I was classed as an older Mum when I had Hannah at the age of 29 !!My Sister had her first child at 19 and she now has 4 Grandchildren.

I wonder how Mandy is today :-(..I'm sure there have been plenty more tears today.
I found the first day after Chester went the worst as I expected to see him each time I turned around.Hopefully tomorrow she might feel up to posting again.
Thinking of you Mandy if you are just looking in <3 <3

Thomas was a right pain in the neck last night.It was 1.20 am when he woke me and he was full of beans :-S :-S.So I had to get up and feed him and then let him out.I went back to bed but my hip was so painful I just tossed and turned and hen got up again just after 5.I looked out the back door and there was Thomas waiting to come in again.

Have you been to Bideford today Mel?I hope your trolley wasn't too heavy to push today.

Chris has been out for lunch today so it is just me and James eating.I have a little Gammon Joint in with a Honey drizzle thing in the oven now.I think it will have to be Potato Wedges with it and Asparagus and Broccoli.We seem to eat so much Asparagus these days.it is strange as up until juat a couple of years ago I never bought it.

Ann I fried the Barnsley Chops last night .They were tasty and nice and tender but Chris says not again as he hates all the bone and the fact there really isn't an awful lot of meat.So I probably won't be doing them again.