General Chat

Oh dear Jane! Tom Jones is someone I'd pay not to listen to! I think he's awful!
but I'm not into that sort of music anyway, so perhaps I'm not a good judge!
Just been watching 'The last kingdom', bit violent but brilliant! Now we're in bed watching 'Newsnight'. Pretty windy here, so it's nice to be tucked up!

I hav'nt seen The Last Kingdom yet as I watch the new Big Bang Theirory (sp) and the Detectorists.

I don't like Tom Jones either but quite liked him on The Vioce program oh watched. Hated him when he was young.

Hate fish pie but oh loves it. I do make it for him sometimes but not very often.

Hav'nt had mac cheese for donkeys yonks. Mum made it a lot when I was younger but I did'nt like it then as I did'nt like cheese. Love cheese now.

It was 2011 when we went on the canal boat Jane the May after mum died.

Morning all

It was raining here first thing, but the sun has come out now. It's not very warm though.

We had a lovely time last night but the weather changed and was so bad OH said it might be worth us going home a bit earlier than we normally do incase the side gate got blown open again, it can't be bolted from the outside so it's not very secure if we go out. The evening was lovely, although it was very similar to last year with the same music from the choir and pretty much the same set up decorations wise too, which was a bit disappointing.

There is a lovely shop on the other side of the car park that we took a look in. The heavens opened with such a down pour of rain that we got soaked running over and once we got there we heard this almighty bang, the next thing, the owner said to me, can you smell gas, I walked towards her and yes there was a really strong smell of gas, so we left pretty sharpish.... didn't fancy being in there if there was a gas leak, so we went back over to the garden centre and I had a drink of mulled wine. It warmed me up I can tell you.

We couldn't believe how bad the weather turned out, especially with it being so dry and sunny in the morning. It seemed strange that OH was able to cut the grass before we went to mum's in the morning, but by the time we got home the back garden was full of puddles. I was glad to get home though as I was cold with my clothes being wet.

Apart from the weather and the similarities to last year it wasn't a bad night out. Sandra loved all the displays of lit up trees and ornaments and really enjoyed eating all the free chocolate that was on offer. I don't think she realised that they were tasters to encourage people to buy the boxes of chocs......bless her. She just went from one bowl to the next happily eating chocolate after chocolate LOL.

I got a phone call off the boiler people while I was shopping in Tesco's yesterday and the new boiler is going to be put in next Friday, so only one more week to wait. I was surprised as I thought it was going to take a lot longer than that and the best part is because the EPC was so bad we don't have to make a contribution to the grant, so it's completely free.

I'm going to look into getting another grant for the loft insulation and also see if there is a grant for some new double glazing as the EPC lad said we would qualify for it all, he also said that we might qualify for some solid wall insulation because we don't have a cavity so I might look into that as well. We won't know ourselves if we can get grants for all these jobs that need doing and imagine how much warmer it will be too :-) :-)

When I got up this morning I had to go round all my windows and wipe them as they were full of condensation. It's not a joke anymore, this place is so cold and damp I can't wait for next Friday now and the good thing about it is the boiler is bigger and better than the last one, so it should be a lot warmer than it was before ;-) ;-)

I'm going to get a cuppa, see if that warms me up a bit, it's really cold here today, then I'll read all the posts from yesterday, as I haven't read them yet.
See you all later <3

Morning all and evening Kim,

Dull then brighter here today. There is a band of grey sky out the front and underneath is blue sky so t think it can make its mind up today what its going to be like.

Hope you enjoyed your night out Gill.

Must have a tidy up today as I seem to have every room in a mess except the bedroom. Thats the trouble when I am making something I have bits and bobs all around.


WEll the food outside went again last night and when I had a look out I saw a hedgehog feeding. I had put the camera out to see what was cleaning the bowls up as I had'nt seen a hog for about a week but I hav'nt looked on it yet to see and also as I looked out once I saw a hog at the bowls and watched it for a little while and then it ran under the decking so I put more food out. Later that was gone from one bowl too but I brought the camera in then as it take s so many pics otherwise.

Good Sandra enjoyed herself Gill. It dos'nt matter that the light etc were the same as last year they still have that magic.

Gill, you're not going to want to sell your place after all the insulation and new boiler have been fitted?!! It may turn out to be a good selling point though!!!!
Very heavy rain here first thing, but now it's bright sunshine!! Apart from a quick tidy up, not too much to do today. Probably make a fish pie for supper, it's so easy and not too much clearing up! OH would live on fish if he could, and I like it too, so it's always popular here!!
Must go and make the bed, then settle down for a peaceful(?!!) day.

Just before 10.10am we had a heavy hail shower that was blowing in the wind. It lasted about three mins and then the sun came out!! It's out now with lovely blue sky and tiny white clouds. I can't believe how quickly the weather can change.

Morning you lot, Evening Kim.

A sausage sandwich just isn't right without brown sauce. I also add it to a shepherds Pie, with a touch of Worcestershire sauce.

My how right you are about this weather, half hour ago it was hammering down, now there's lots of white clouds and blue sky.

I like a fish pie, but it's usually Tesco Finest. as Ros hates fish. But she loves shell fish.

Like you Liz, I wouldn't walk to my garden if TOM JONES was playing. I just can't take him and never had. If ever he comes on T.V. I turn to the mute button !!!

Gill with all these improvements you are after. I can see no need what so ever for you wanting to move. It might add a bit to your value, but the chances are you will have to start all over again in another house. You need to check also, IF THE GRANT is repayable if you sell in a short time. As it might be looked at by the grant people, that you only applied for the grant to improve your chances of selling your bungalow. It's worth checking. :-( :-( :-(

Pat, You seem to be finding your way around the new area. You have found the PUBS and Super Markets, what else do you need :-D :-D :-D

It's a bit late for the hogs to be around, isn't it Mel ?? But I suppose with the weather being mild, they are not ready to sleep yet ;-) ;-) ;-)

Ros is taking me for a haircut, and then we are going to Iceland and Aldi, Tesco. and I might even treat her to a late lunch. Save me cooking tonight. lol

Our Jane is all done and dusted for a while now, with no GREY BITS. I bet it does make you feel 10 years younger, and I BET IT SHOWS <3 <3 <3

I'm all showered and shaved, so had better get dressed as Madam will be waiting.

Morning All

Just a quickie as Fitz will be here at 12.30 and I am cooking so want to get it all done and keeping hot by the time he arrives.

I am not a fan of Tom Jones at all..But I did think he was 'amazing' in the way he looks and moves still.I think he is better looking the older he gets .Not that I would fancy him I think I am right in saying he is 75??

Gill what a pity the weather took a turn for the worst last night .But it sounded like you did all enjoy yourselves especially Sandra and the chocolates :-D :-D :-D

What a good job the boiler will be in next week.You won't know yourselves :-D

I must go now but will be back later today.

Rain ,hail and sun here !!!!

That's a point Frank! I think Gill, it would be advisable to check out the situation over the grant. If you sell within a certain time, you may find you have to pay part or even all of it back?!!! Also if you go to another house that needs the same upgrading, would you be eligible for another grant, having just had one?!
Stormy here, blue skies one minute, dark and dismal the next!! Must get on and poach that fish!!

I asked the surveyor (the first person to turn up) Frank and Liz if the grant had to be paid back as I'd heard that some grants have to be paid back through your bill over 25 years, but he said no it doesn't have to be paid back and also if we move we can apply for another grant, it's not a one off because of the benefit Sandra is on. So if ever Sandra got a place of her own she could apply for a grant for a boiler and other things for herself.

She has applied for the grant for the boiler here. She could do that as she is part owner of the bungalow. We left her name on the deeds when Michelle's was taken off and if anything was to happen to OH or I our shares in the bungalow would automatically go to Sandra, so she'd never end up homeless. Plus none of us can leave our share to anyone else in a Will, as each one passes away their share automatically goes to the remaining owners and not to, say for example, Sandra's husband or children if ever she got married and had children. After all OH and I don't want to end up homeless either should the worse happen and Sandra pass away before us. So all our interests have been sorted now and the property can only be divided between us three and no one else.

I went back on to the site I claimed the boiler grant from and a man called Sam came on a live chat, so I thanked him for all the help with the boiler grant and said how pleased I was with the customer service and how quickly they had done things and also asked him if they did loft insulation grants too, unfortunately they don't, it's just boilers they deal with but he did tell me British Gas do insulation grants, so that was nice of him. I'm still going to have a look online though as I've had problems with British Gas in the past so I'm not sure I want to go with them. It can't do any harm to shop around can it?

Sandra's gone to the library so I took advantage of being in on my own and gone through all the Christmas presents I've bought throughout the year, I've only just finished so still haven't had a chance to catch up on all the posts. Oh, Sandra has just got home, that was good timing and Michelle has just text me to say she can chat online in a couple of hours.......it's all go here today......and a decent Friday 13th for a change ;-) ;-)

Sandra is freezing so I'm going to make her a hot water bottle and she can then sit in front of the fire to get warm. My mum gave me a joint of pork yesterday so I'm going to pop it in the oven to cook slowly for a few hours. We ran out of time yesterday to have the lamb roast and ended up lamb and mash potatoes instead, so I'm determined to have a roast today LOL. I'll catch up with the posts when I get five minutes ;-) ;-) ;-)
See you all later <3

Hello Everyone

It's turned very cold here today with heavy rain and then sunshine.

Glad Sandra enjoyed herself Gill, I expect she's counting the days now to the main event. Pleased to hear your getting your new boiler fitted you should also be able to get the loft insulation free. I thought the same as Frank about the implications if you still put the bungalow up for sale now but surely you won't want to move anyway.

Jane I hope you have a good meal with Fitz, what are you having?

I'm another one who can't stand Tom Jones, he makes my flesh crawl, he is so full of himself and I feel sorry for his wife.

Mandy I am still thinking about you, all our boxers have broken my heart when we lost them, since my husband died Amy is even more special to me, she had a very short walk today as the wind made it so cold.

I see Terry Wogan won't be on Children in need as he has had back trouble and he has advice from his doctor not to appear, I used to listen to him on radio 2 when he was on.

I also like macaroni cheese but don't like fish unless its from the shop battered and with chips. I will eat Salmon but the recipe I use it's in a cream sauce with vermouth and sliced courgettes.

We are having stir fry tonight, nice and easy. I think I might start writing some Christmas cards, there are so many to send on Peter's side, his Mum and Dad had 15 grandchildren and the majority of them have at least 2 children of their own.

Well I have had my haircut, bit chilly round the ol' lug 'oles. My nice Asian girl ask if she would see me before Christmas ?? I said my hair won't grow that quick, so she came round the counter (after me paying) and gave me a big HUG. and a kiss on the cheek. ;-) ;-) ;-)

We went to Aldi's and got a Beef Wellington and a large Turkey Crown and a few other bits that Ros fancied. Then off to Ice Land. I have never been before. If I lived on my own I could feed myself from there for around £2.00 a meal and get a good variety to choose from. I bet the Students live out of there. There are Roast dinners for £1.50. Pizza's from £1.00. Burgers of every kind including Kangaroo and Crocodile .

We bought a pack of uncooked Tiger prawns, Two Lobsters, Lobster tails. and again bits and bobs that Ros thought would be handy. SUGAR 2 bags for £1.00.

We are home now, and just having some Crumpets and a coffee. We bought a chicken stir fry for this evening, as Ros didn't fancy a carvery today.

That sun is a real danger, It's so low in the sky that you can't see a blooming thing.. The wind is enough to cut you in half, even though It wasn't cold. I left my coat in the car and walked around on a jumper.

I bet lunch is in full flow at Jane's, and not in the garden. !!!

England play tonight, so I expect I will HAVE to go to the PUB.

Well lunch was a huge success .I did this dish called Kosheri which is Green Lentils, Basmati rice,fried onions,Vermicelli ,chicken stock ,Cinnamon and Nutmeg.A spicy Tomato sauce to go with it....Sausages and a dish of roasted Peppers,Mushrooms and Courgettes.It all went down a treat :-D :-D :-D

Sad news while we were eating though.I had a call from my neighbour to say they had had their lovely Collie Cassie put to sleep this morning :-( :-(......Cassie and my Chester used to be best buddies.
So that is Mandy's Toby and Cassie this week :-( :-(

Evening all,

It's been quite a blustery day here ,had the family here for tea which was nice and easy as we had Fish and Chips ,son came to help get the logs in as we should have had them delivered on Monday but it was cancelled because of Toby ,today they rang and said they couldn't deliver because they had trouble with the truck so now they should be coming on Monday !! so third time lucky we hope.

Son had told the children not to mention Toby ,but little Katie said had Toby gone to doggie heaven with his sister Bonnie :-( i told her he had and that they would be playing together :-)

Jane i'am sorry to read your neighbour has had to have her Collie Cassie put to sleep , also today DIL's parents have had their dog put to sleep too :-(

Gill,that's really good news about the boiler not to long to wait now and you'll soon be as snug as a bug in a rug .
I had to smile at Sandra helping herself to the chocolates :-D i bet she enjoyed them .

Sorry to hear about Cassie Jane, it is sad when pets pass away. I was pleased to see you back here Mandy, hope you are starting to feel a bit better, it takes time. I remember when our last cat passed away, we had three in total, it was so strange not having any pets in the place. We'd had pets for about 20 years. It does get better in time....as they say time is a great healer <3

So Thomas was in the summerhouse all the time you were calling for him.
Hope he's feeling a bit better now. I used to move the fur out of the way and slowly put it on the skin at the centre of the back of the neck, if I did it to quickly it would run down the sides and our cats would lick it, but if done slowly it stays at the top where they couldn't clean themselves.
Your meal you made for lunch sounds lovely, glad you had a nice time.

How nice that you have excepted the offer from the first time buyers Ann, hope everything goes smoothly with the sale and it doesn't take to long with Christmas almost here.

So you're decorating now Pat, you're going to have it all the way you want it just in time for Christmas...How nice. Hope everything went well at the hospital today.

I love your bag and purse Fiona, what lovely colours.

Sandra has been counting the weeks to Christmas for the last two weeks Anne, she loves Christmas and can't wait. As it gets closer to the big day she'll start counting the days. I hope she get some snow this year, she's always wanted to wake up on Christmas morning and see snow which hasn't seemed to happen for her. I think it was boxing day last year which isn't the same as Christmas day, although she still gets excited no matter what day it snows.

If it does snow I hope it's enough for her to make a snowman, she hopes she can do that every year but hasn't been able to do it for a number of years now. I still have the photo of the family of snow people she did and she even dressed them up with hats and scarfs too. It was a joy to see, hope she gets the chance to do it again this year.

I had a nice chat with Michelle earlier, she was having her windows measured and is hoping to have double glazing put in her flat on the 4th December, so that'll be much better for her, as she only has single glazing at the moment. She had a lovely birthday, the first one with her new boyfriend and even got a present off his dad too, which was nice. The only problem she had was the card my mum sent her with money in it didn't arrive and the one she got off OH's mum she got off a neighbour but it wasn't in the envelope, luckily OH's mum had sent her a cheque rather than cash so at least she got that. The neighbour said someone else had given it to her so she didn't know why it wasn't in the envelope or why it hadn't been delivered to the correct address in the first place. I've said to Michelle to ring my mum to see if mum has the correct address, with Michelle living in a flat they all have the same number but each flat has a letter with the number too, so maybe mum has put the wrong letter on the address. I'm sure Michelle will find out once she calls mum.

Didn't see your message Mandy, sorry to hear your DIL's parents have lost their dog too. Nice that little Katie said Toby had gone to doggie heaven.
Hope the logs arrive ok on Monday.....yes third time lucky for you.

I really need to get a life as I'm so excited to be getting the boiler fitted next week....Sad isn't it LOL. I've been quite busy today so still haven't sorted out the grants for the other things the EPC man said we need. I'm going to ring our fuel provider to see what they can offer. I checked out British Gas but it's going to take months for them to do it, so hopefully our provider might be able to do it quicker, I'll find out when I ring them.

We've had a load of timber delivered today for the log burner. OH will turn it into logs, and store them to dry for next winter. We get it for free as the chap who provides it uses part of our barn as a workshop (for free) and he keeps a kit car in our yard together with a small trailer, which we have use of!! He's a lovely chap though, and helps us with heavy jobs and looks after Merlin when we're away. He's even offered to have Cas if we need it, so all in all, a good deal all round.
Watching Grand design this evening! It's quite a project!
Well done Ann with the house sale! I'm sure you've done the right thing in accepting the offer.
All these poor dogs! I am sorry.

Gill ,have you tried your local council to see if they have grants for loft insulation and double glazing ?

We like Grand Design ,did any one see the one where the chap did the cave up ?