General Chat

I didn't see the latest posts on here brfore I went to bed so Vera Mel has answered my 'query' re the blanks in the photos, also the sexes of the dogs (I tend to not think of looking for any 'bits' Mel.
Vera your OH does like to keep working and best to encourage that and let him do the things he enjoys doing. I am sure, if you don't finish what you want to do in the garden it will be fine next spring.

Ann thatw as a long drive, I bet you were tired last night. And what a bargain after all the years since you bought the first set. Nice to have a good shop and I am sure that you managed a coffe somwhere.

And, good morning all sort of semi bright this morning and cold feeling at 8 degrees. Yesterday afternoon it was a beauriful day with blue skies and sun. and we were really lucky with the weather at Hidcote.

The little dog with the white flash on his head is Benji as you can see his little tassle underneath him. He also looks like a dog and the other one looks like a little girl. He is guarding her as the sit together by the doors. Yes the untitled ones were the ones that were blank so you have fathomed that out for us Vera.

That was a long drive Annx to the outlet but good that you managed to find a matching duvet cover and a few other bits. Your OH will be pleased to have got another task out of the way with the help of his friend.

It sounds as though you had an enjoyable visit to Hidcote AnnG even if you didn't see as much as you would have liked.

I can believe it would take a long while to paint the tiny pieces you make Mel. It must be quite fiddly painting something so small and you must have very dexterous fingers. I always admire all you ladies who are good with your hands as I am so cack-handed.

I managed to get in the garden for about an hour and a half this afternoon but then my back said that's enough. I am beginning to see a bit of a difference at last though there is still plenty to do out there. I am only hoping I can get it winter ready before the first frosts start. OH, bless him, is working hard outside but he's doing "hard landscaping" type jobs that could be done any time. I could do with a bit of help with the jobs that need doing now but I haven't said anything to him. Not many men his age would manage to work as hard or do as much so I'm grateful for that.

AnnG and Mel - can you actually see 2 photos and 1 video of the dogs? Are the bits you said are blank marked "Untitled Attachment"? If so, you can ignore them. They will be blank. I think it's something to do with forwarding an email that already has attachments. I often get them on emails that have been sent to my sister in law and that she has forwarded to me. I agree that the dog with the white patches looks more like the female but I think that one is Benjy. I will have to check with daughter. She bought them different coloured collars but the collars seem to be hidden in all that fur so I can't see them.

Time to close the computer now and say goodnight. Sleep well, sweet dreams.

Evening All,

I was up really early to be on my way to Boundary Mill Outlet at Grantham before it got busy so I could park near the doors and need to walk less. I hadn't driven there myself (45 miles) for about seven years!! It's part motorway and busy A1 with a nice trip across the Vale of Belvoir with Belvoir Castle in the distance. I had a lucky find there, as before the pandemic I bought 2 duvet cover sets and matching curtains for when the second bedroom was finished a couple of years ago. Sadly when I opened the second set to use, the wrong duvet cover was in it!! I never expected to be able to find another as I thought being in a sale they were discontinued. Well what should I see but the very same one, (also in a sale) so I got it. I really wanted to try a quilted jacket on I'd seen online, but couldn't find it. I don't like how they have re-arranged things. All the coats and jackets used to be mostly in one place, but now they are all with the clothes from each label, dozens of them so scattered over the huge store the size of a big warehouse and on both floors. I did get some Christmas cards and bras, (I know a particular brand they stock fits me well) also some new hand towels for the ensuite. I broke the visit with a half hour sit in the car to rest my knees and read a magazine, also to unload what I'd already bought and then went back in to look at the shoes and men's jackets.

OH's friend had offered and arranged to call and help OH go through all the rest of the footie programmes in the garage this morning which was another reason I went out so he could park in our drive. TIt took three hours but they did a brilliant job and seperated the ones OH wants to keep (not that many). They repacked ones that had been badly damaged with damp before OH had them and his friend put those in his own boot to take to the tip for him. OH will give the rest to the club as they are of little value, but are old and may be of interest to some. Now there is just a big pile of empty cardboard boxes for us to flatten and take to the tip ourselves.

Thank you for the video and photos of the sweet little dogs Vera. They look right at home already and confident and should soon learn their names which suit them.

The trip sounded good AnnG and the trees would have been lovely just now. I look forward to seeing a few photos.

That is what I dread Mel.......not being able to find my mobile! I must admit doing paintings is fiddly too. What are you making at the moment?

You sound like you had a nice time with good company Anng.

I could see the video but also had two blank somethings.

I have been paintng miniatures today had a good go and cast a coupe too. It takes a long wile to paint the tiny things now and I really should get new glasses but have to save up a bit now after buying the car.

Stew tonight homemade with dumplings. Its turned quite chilly tonight so I may have a burst on the heating to warm the house up a bit.

It was a good trip out Hidcote is hosting a huge sculpture trail almost 300 sculptures, all for sale some at very large prices. We didn't cover the whole site today so didn't actually see all the sculptures. It did seem strange to me to not make our way round the whole garden as we would usualy do when T was alive. But what we did see was nice and it was good to be out in company, although this is nominally a very large group there were only five of us on this visit. I had a jacket potato with beans and cheese for lunch which was nice so probably just egg on toast this evening. I will send out photos when they have been downloaded. The autumn colours in the trees was lovely.

Vera thank you for the photos and video. I also seemed to have two blank photod so don't know what that was about. The little dogs are sweet is the female the one with white on the back?

What smashing names I like them and I am sure they will get to know their names now they have a loving home with your daughter.

Its been chucking it down here and just as I was all geared up to feed the chickens and wild birds I had to wait on the patio for ages till it eased off. Now I find I have left the scoop for the peanuts down by the garage. I was so disgusted with the girls I only had one egg yesterday and none this morning but yesterdays made up for just te one as its huge and must be a double yolker.

Shopping was late and I had ordered two bars of Ferro Rocker dark and they sent milk so they both went back. I am trying to get osme bits around for Christmas little pressies. I bought two lots of after eight winter fondants as BIL's wife loves peppermint creams and a box of ordinary After Eight thins. I have also bought her a grey fleecey top. I don't know what to get BIL this year but I shall keep thinking and listening to what he says and I may ring SIL and ask if there's anything he needs.

Well I better get on and get some lunch ready for 1pm.

I can't get into the emails on the pc this morning and I had a bit of trouble yesterday only to find I had 30 odd spam emails. Once I got rid of those it seemed ok. I don't know how to get into spam on the tablet but I can see my emails.

Morning ladies

Well, it's certainly a better day than yesterday when it rained heavily most of the day. At the moment it's dry with some sunshine on and off. There's a bit of a chilly breeze but I suppose it is well into autumn now so we should expect things to cool down. We've got a yellow warning for very heavy rain on Thursday.

I hope the weather is good for your visit to Hidcote AnnG. I've only been there once years ago but I remember enjoying our time there.

What a sleepless lot we are with several of you having bad nights. I hope you haven't all caught my insomnia. Strangely enough I slept well last night and woke up this morning to find a voicemail message on my phone from granddaughter in Hong Kong which was lovely. Because of the hours she is working and the 7 hour time difference we don't try and co-ordinate phone chats, we just text, so it was lovely to hear her voice.

Yesterday was a sh*t day. We had an errand to do some distance from home so lots of driving in the pouring rain and it was a complete waste of time. By the time we got back the whole morning was gone and we were both feeling grumpy. In the afternoon I did a couple of loads of washing. I hate that as I like to get my washing done as early as possible in the morning. Then I remembered it was the evening of the AGM of the smaller club we go to and I felt we ought to turn up as lots of people don't bother to go to AGMs. By then I didn't have time to prepare and cook a big dinner so our main meal of the day was a bowl of soup and some bread. I felt so tired but made myself go and quite enjoyed it when I got there. After the AGM we had our tea and biccies and then divided ourselves into just 3 tables for a bit of a quiz. I also got a box of shortbread in the raffle.

Today I've had a general tidy up and done the last of the washing for this week. I've got a couple of admin jobs I must do and then I might try to spend a short while in the garden this afternoon while it's still dry.

Mel, you asked about the names of daughter's new dogs. The male is Benjy and the female is Maggie. The RSPCA named them when they took them in at the end of June so daughter has stuck with the same names. She's not convinced they know their names but maybe they haven't been used much. Maggie seems quicker on the uptake than Benjy. I earlier emailed a couple of photos and a short video on WhatsApp on my phone to myself so I can forward them on to you ladies.

It was morning when I started this but I got called away and I see it's afternoon now. OH will shortly be getting our lunchtime snack and I am now going to ring the hairdresser and try to fix my next couple of appointments. Have a good afternoon, whatever you are doing.

Morning Anng and all,

Hope its a nice day for you to visit Hidccote and it stays dry.

Pc is saying partly sunny and 12 degrees here. It is quite bright but youcna never tell what coming along later in the day.

Not a lot planned for today but shopping is coming and then I may go to Hatherleigh.

good morning all, still quite dark here (next week this will be 25 to Seven!!

I am hoping for a dr day as being picked up at 0930, going to Hidcote garden which is about 45 minutes away from here. Just 2 of us in the car I am in not sure how many others are going. At least 4 in one other car.

It will be good to see Dick and Angel again with some new programs but 4 is not enough even with a Christmas special.

I went round to Stu's today and left my phone there. I had been looking everywhere for it and even rang it and then thought I had been at the car with Stu and not gone back inside the house so came home without it.YOu get to rely so much on these things and I don't have Stu's mobile number at home I must put it in my book.

Not done a thing today only the micro and one lot of washing and thats still in the machine.

Hope you both sleep better tonight girls I did last night so made up for a sleepless night the night before.

Missed you there Mandy and I'm glad you mentioned the Chateau programme. I saw something online the other day about them doing another series but had forgotten about it. Like you say there was no date for it. I was a bit confused as I thought I'd read at one point that they were selling the Chateau but obviously not. A Christmas one would be good with all the things Angel makes. :-D

Edit: I just looked at Escape To The Chateau Fan Club on Facebook and it mentions there will be 4 episodes and maybe a Christmas Special but no dates yet. Have a look. Dorothy and Arthur are at college now and Arthur is so tall now.

Afternoon All,

Took ages to drop off to sleep at around 4.00am, so was up late and all behind. After showering we decided to eat out at Ullesthorpe Court just for a tuna jacket with salad. Only one other couple was there, yet it used to be so busy. We carried on to the Factory Shop then and OH bought more of the underwear he bought from them recently and I returned the trousers I got. We called at the pharmacy for our meds and popped in the shop on the way home. The garden bin is full now and put out for collection after OH topped it up and I have dusted and hoovered as OH's friend is calling in the morning to help him sort some things in the garage.They are both off to a match tonight. We've had a little rain but mostly sunshine today, but if it isn't raining in the morning I've decided to go to the Boundary Mill retail park. I can have a look at their curtains as well as the usual things and get a snack and drink in their cafe. My car will be out of the drive so out of their way then and it will give it a good run there and back.

Sorry you didn't sleep well either AnnG. I've started yawning now!!

It's good your car battery seems ok now Mel and has charged up. Do you have two electric meters because you grew and sold things? I remember dad having two electric meters in his workshop, one was for the 3 phase electric for the machinery I think and the other single phase for the lights and everything else.You've reminded me I need to clean the cooker hob!

Mandy I've never thought to do that with the little drawer either, yet I always leave the other door open.

Better get a COT now and see if it wakes me up a bit.

Ann did you see there's going be a series 10 of Escape to the château ,didn't see a start date though , a Christmas special was mentioned too .
Tha sky is as black as your hat here and its gone from heavy drizzle to heavier showers .

Dry and bright and 15 degrees here. I have just done some admin, and sorted out some aired clothes to put away, as well as taking the recycling out to the bin for collection tomorrow. Very wet underfoot out there. Fell tired today as I didn't sleep well.

Iv'e just scrubbed the microwave out so now its all nice and clean. still have to do some admin and pay the leccy bills. I have two one for the house and one for the potting sheds.

Iv'e had some sunshine for a while this morning but now its raining again.

Drizzle has stopped and its brightened up now ,just stopped for a coffee then I need to get my veg done as we're having our roast today .
Colin has hoovered through and I've put two loads of washing in and thats on the airer, I pulled out the draw on the washer and cleaned that as it was starting to have a few black spots ,I should leave it open a little really like I do the door of ths washer then it would get the air better.

Morning all,

About the same here Anng pc says expect light rain at 1pm but its raining now and its 12 degrees.

I need to have a good tidy up in the kitchen today so that will take most of the day with wshing to do too. I have the heating on for a bit to warm the house through. I also have some admin to do, pay bills etc.

Morning Anng, morning all,

Very dark morning here with a heavy drizzle so a day of inside jobs ,the garden bin has just been emptied so apart from going out for that we'll keep in the dry .

Good morning all 12 degrees and very wet here and very dark too at almost 8 o'clock