General Chat

At 7 pm I came upstairs to the computers to do a post but I got carried away looking at a lot of old photos on OH’s computer. It’s fatal to start looking at those, before you know it half the evening’s gone. We all looked so young! In one my brother was holding a tiny, sleeping baby. I couldn’t think who it could be till I noticed my daughter and her then husband in the background and realized it was their firstborn, our eldest grandchild. She’s now 28. What is more worrying is that I am still wearing some of the clothes I was wearing in these old photos. I think it’s time I had a wardrobe refresh.

Today would have been my brother’s 78th birthday. I still miss him such a lot.

It sounds as though Stu puts a lot of effort into cooking the meals you have together Mel. It was a shame he was a bit heavy handed with the BBQ sauce and spices so you were left with a sore mouth. Your foot man is really cheap but as AnnG says perhaps he doesn’t have the overheads that most chiropodists do. Fancy finding your bat after all this time. Your house is a real little treasure trove.

I’m glad you slept better last night Annx. That’s a good idea to give the man with the lost cat a couple of phone numbers where his cat might have been taken if found. Unfortunately, as far as I know there is only one place and that is on the road to Bury St Edmunds. I suspect he might have already tried there. There was a lovely place on the road down to Colchester but it’s had to close because the donations and the number of volunteers to run it dropped too much for it to be viable. I suppose I could check where the nearest RSPCA place is. Someone might have rung them to say they had found a cat. I don’t know whether he was chipped or not.

Your million bells plants sound a pretty colour Mandy. I do like those orangey/apricot shades. I haven’t had any million bells for a year or two but I have had them in the past in a couple of the troughs down the side of the house and they seemed happy there so I might try and get some more this year.

I’m glad you enjoyed your trip to Stowe AnnG. I am certain we have been there but can’t for the life of me remember when. I think it must have been a long while ago but I do remember enjoying it there and thinking how lovely it was. The trouble with these huge estates is that you need a week to get round them. Btw, I put a post on the book thread this morning.

It’s been quite a warm day though still chilly in the breeze and alternate sunshine and cloud but no rain to speak of, just a few spits and spots. I got various jobs done this morning and after lunch OH steam cleaned the kitchen floor for me while I got on with a few gardening jobs. I have a few pots of mini tulips which come out very early and the leaves of those have more or less died off. As I will want the pots soon I pulled the bulbs up and spread them in seed trays for the leaves to finish dying off before I pack the bulbs away for the summer. Then I sorted through the herbs and tidied those up and planted some more parsley seeds. I also potted up into a big pot a cutting I took of phygellus. It’s now about 6-8” high and looking sturdy so I’m pleased with that. Moving around the garden I am concerned about the number of snails all over the place. Slugs and snails are our biggest problem here and there seemed to be hundreds!! I don’t hold out much hope for the hostas this year.

I see time is racing away again so I’d better go and get myself organized with the few odd jobs I want to do before going to bed and then I shall tuck myself up with either my book or something I’m watching on iPlayer and hope I have as good a night as last night – six and a half hours solid sleep, I still can’t quite believe it. You all sleep well too.

Mandy the bat was dried out when I was given it and I put it in a plastic small box you cansee through all those years ago. Its in perfect condition.

Well the sun came out after I came home from the doctors. It rained a bit on the way there but its still nice and sunny now. Shame it was'nt like that all day.

Evening all,

It's been a nice warm sunny day ,we sat and filled a few pots for the tomato plants and also planted the runner beans seed in some pots.

That was a very good nights sleep you had Vera after feeling so off colour ,obviously the covid jab didn't suit you ,how was OH did he feel OK.

Ann don't you feel so much better after a good night's sleep ,only trouble I find when I do get a good night is that I feel stiff as a board if I haven't moved in the night .

Oh Mel good job that bat's in a Yardley lavender box ,I should think its a bit smelly ,is there much left of it , you do find all sorts in your house .

Sounds as if you had another nice day out Anng ,I had a google of the Chinese house it looks lovely .

Have you not cleared the dressing table out since your Mum died Mel?

Dinner with stu sounded ok but a bit too spicy still you seemed to enjoy it.

That really is cheap but he is not paying for premises.

Yes I took photos of the Chinese house. Most of them are on my camera but I think I have a couple on my phone I can send.

Sounds a lovely outing again today then and some nice cheese to enjoy too. Did you take any pics of the Chinese House?

Been to Anton and feet all comfey now and he cut my right hand thumb nail for me as its so hard and I can't do it myself. He even could'nt get through it the first time he tried and went to the other side of it but managed it in the end. He did'nt charge me any extra which was just as well as I only had his £12 on me. Yes I did say £12 I know you lot pay a lot more, sorry.

Had a good root around in the draw of mums dressing table this morning and found things I had'nt seen for ages. I found in there a little dead bat that my cousin Martin gave me whenwe were down here on holiday one year I was about 15. He'd found it behind a glass cabinet in the tall room at Winslade Farm. I thought I had lost it but its still in the plastic box I put it in and that was inside a very old Yardleys Lavender box.

Good afternoon all. Had a good day. Drove to a farm near Buckingham and had a very nice breakfast. Had a look in the cheese shop and son bought some nice cheese.

We then drove to Stowe. Gardens This is a huge place, grounds of about 750 acres and the parkland designed by Capability Brown among others. We only covered a very small part of it but it was a beautiful walk, hazy sun and light breeze. As both Di
L were walking with a stick we didn’t want to overdo it so sensibly called a halt. It was a very relaxing walk and uplifting being among the trees, I particularly liked the Chinese house. This is apparently wrapped for the winter and has only just been unwrapped. It is lovely all covered in pictures that make you want to paint them. It is the oldest surviving. Chinoiserie garden pavilion in Britain. I am tired now, all that fresh air and exercise.

Afternoon All,

Well I had a paracetamol to help me drop off last night, but was surprised after 1 trip t the loo I stayed asleep till 7.30 am so had a good sleep. I was up, showered and at Sainsbury's by 9.20 am, half expecting no end parking spaces near the store for me, but I got the last one and it was right outside the entrance. My exciting buys were a new toilet brush and holder, newspapers, some slow cooked lamb shanks a bit of veg. I went to look at the clothes, but didn't get anything and the store is too big for me to walk all round it so I came away then. A nice lady next to me on the self service asked me if I wanted her Nectar points as she'd forgot her card so that was a bonus as she'd bought a pile of clothes!

Mandy I think the bird had left the whole pack of his calling cards! OH said the same as you and that it was just after the windowcleaner had been. I was glad OH put some gardening gloves on and went and cleaned it off with some old cloths that went in the bin after and a good dousing with the watering can after. He said some had dried and took a bit of shifting.

That was a nice bit of pampering at the hairdressers AnnG. I get a head massage, but not the luxury of a massage chair. I must mention them to Tia and see if Barry is interested in getting one put in! Mind you I am short too, but more in the leg than body so I might reach ok. It was good of your DIL to beat you to the till as well. I hope you have a nice day at Stowe. It is a place I've never been but it's always been on my list. Capability Brown created some lovely (and large!) landscapes.

Mel it was a shame the barbequeue sauce seems to have been a bit too strong for you in last night's meal this time and caused soreness, Still we all get things a bit wrong sometimes anyway and maybe Stu likes it like that. I hope it's worn off a bit now. I don't seem to do well with sweet peas in this garden, or any peas really. They vanish and I think the mice have them. Even plants of them don't do that well so maybe it's the soil that doesn't suit them either. It is chilly and we had the heating on for a blast of warm air a little while ago. It's been dry here but it's breezy and I've not been tempted to go in the garden.

It's a pity you felt so unwell after this Jab Vera but at least you had a good sleep which must have been welcome and has helped. I hope the next jab is better. I had no effects from that one so I hope it's the same for you. You sound busy so I hope you get everything done in your busy day.

Yes Vera only just really.

Its that horrid fine rain here that gets everywhere.

I have the foot man this afternoon so shall have some lunch and get ready for Anton.

Need to get something to eat now as I am hungry. Need to find some socks first as my feet are cold.

We're all late on parade this morning so I thought I'd start the ball rolling by saying good morning everyone, wakey wakey ;-)

I had a dreadful night on Wednesday after the jab. Apart from a sore arm I haven't had a problem before but I think I had some sort of reaction to this one. I had a stonking headache which may or may not have been due to the jab but I also had a temperature and felt generally unwell and barely slept at all. By last night I was feeling much better, turned my light out at about midnight and next thing I knew it was 6.30 am. I can't remember the last time I slept like that. The bedclothes were barely ruffled. I hope you have all had as good a sleep as me.

Must get on as I've lots to do today. I might get back later. In the meantime have a lovely day.

EDIT: I see you beat me to it Mel.

Morning girls,

My meal last night was as I guessed chicken with roast pots and mixed frozen veg but he had put a lot of babeque sauce in it and this morning I have a sore mouth and throat. He also put fresh garlic and other things in it and it did taste good but just a bit too strong.

Dull and dreay morning here and its been raining as the cars are wet. It 12 degrees and feels cold so I have turned the heating on for a while to take the chill off the house as yesterday it was warmer outside than in.

Did'nt have a good night last night, I went to bed at 11.08pm as I was so tired and dropped off quickly. Woke for the loo when it was still dark, did'nt look at my phone incase it kept me awake but still I just lay there and even turned over again and that did'nt work so back to the normal right side and in the ned I must have dropped off and woke again for the loo and it was so cold I went back to bed and this time I dropped off again and woke at 9.56am! So you could say I had a good sleep last night as there must have been plenty of it. Then I woke with backache, bad back ache on my right side.

They are in the conservatory at the moment Anng bit early to go out yet ,I just thought they were a lovely colour thats why I got them
That was nice of your dil to treat you to the wash and blow dry .

Thanks Ann for sending Anng photos ,the gardens look lovely ,all those tulips and daffs , I see on the news last night they said the tulip fields near Sandringham are now open to the public ,we've seen them from the road when we've been that way , they look a picture .

Oh heck Vera that nurse doesn't do gentle by the feel of things and now you have her to look forward to again , hope your arms not to sore today.

Oh no Ann was it a calling card from a bird on your conservatory window ,and just as the window cleaner has been too .

Mel enjoy your meal tonight ,wonder what it will be .

Well that was a nice treat Anng. Shame about the other chair.

Did some gardening this morning and pottered in the shed for a while now I need to do a bit more and take some water down the shed and sow some more sweet peas, maybe soak them tis time. I never have before in all the years I have grown Spenser Sweet Peas. Need to go up the potting shed and see if I have any new pots in there if not its in the stables to find some three inch pots in there.

No all

Mandy I assume The million bells will.be in the greenhouse in case of frost.


Time seems to be moving fast here already four days are gone.

Have been out each day and each one seems to start with eating breakfast and then stopping for coffee and maybe lunch or brunch. Been to a couple of garden centres and Ascott house gardens. And tomorrow going to Stowe.

Had my hair washed and blow dried at a very nice hairdressers that has won awards for accessibility and attention to wellness. My height made it not possible to sit in the large massage chair to have my hair washed, my head wouldn’t reach up to the basin because I am short bodied long legged. So had to use a different chair and basin. However it was a lovely wash and head massage. Goodness knows what it cost as daughter in law beat me to the till


Sent from my iPad

Afternoon All,

A dull start, but nice and sunny now. We went to the garden centre down the road first thing and had a breakfast bap and I also got some stump killer while we were there. We went there as we needed to be back early for OH to attend an online work thing that he's still on now after a lunch break. When I got back from the shop I couldn't believe what had happened on the conservatory window......I'll send a pic!

Vera if there are any pet rescue places in your area you could pop to see the man with their phone numbers he could try if the cat hasn't come home. He obviously loves his cat friend and may appreciate your trying to help. I remember Jane's cat Thomas being found injured in someone's garden. The nurse that did your covid jabs didn't sound very gentle and now you will have her again to do the RSV jabs and at another surgery! Our surgery are always keen to get us booked in, but I think the motivation is that they get paid extra for doing them (about £30 for flu, covid and RSV)........cynical aren't I. ;-). I hope your arm is less sore today.

AnnG, I did look up the gardens and thought they look lovely. A good place to revisit at different times of the year. How nice for you to relax and have someone do your hair for you without you having to be careful of the scars. Using different showers is a nightmare anyway as they are all so different.

The Million Bells sound pretty colours Mandy. I like those in some of my pots as the wind doesn't damage them as much as it does Petunias.

It sounds like it could be chicken at Stu's Mel. :-D

Not a lot in Aldi ! did get a tray of Million bells in a nice orangey colour and they had some pretty pink ones too , just bought the usual bits .
We went out a bit earlier but as we walked out we got waylaid by a neighbour who hadn't been very well so we stood chatting for ages ,then a workman (Drain Doctor ) came over and was trying to find a blocked sewer so OH stood talking to him for ages so by the time we got to Aldi we weren't that much earlier , I also parked in town again on the way home and went to the butchers for meat ,Jake served me , its all now bagged up and in the freezer .

Yes please Mel I'd like to see the bunny pattern .

Morning girls,

Sunny here and its 11 degrees and pc says its getting cooler over the next few days. Probably means its going to be grey and nasty.

Stu's for dinner tonight wonder what it will be? We hav'nt had chicken for a while???

YOu'll enjoy the hairdressers Anng just be pampered for a while and you won't have to worry about getting your wound wet.

Mandy tell us if you find anything nice to buy on your shopping trip. I found a knitting pattern the other day I had cut out of a magazine I'll send you a pic and if you would like it I'll send it to you. Its for small bunnies .

Morning Anng ,morning all,

Nice and sunny here and it's shopping day so we're going a bit earlier if we can get into gear ,I take longer to get going mornings now .

Good morning all. Bright and sunny here at the moment.

Appointment with DiL’s hairdresser this morning just for a wash and blow dry.
Easier than battling with a different shower and still hhs I got to avoid the wound healing on my temple.

It sounds as though you’ve had a good day AnnG. I had to google Ascott House. The gardens do look nice and I bet the tulips were a picture. I’m pleased the paracetamol helped you sleep a little better. It might be worth taking them for a couple of nights.

It sounds as though the antihistamines are helping you as well Annx. It does make such a difference to the day if you have had a bit of rest the night before.

Did you find your cake recipe Mel? It sounds yummy. What did you have to eat at Stu’s – it was tonight you were going to his wasn’t it? I’m all out of gear with the days this week. I’ve been thinking it’s Friday most of today. Oops, just realized you said you’re going to Stu’s tomorrow. I think someone has removed my brains and stuffed my head with cotton wool lately. Now I’ve just seen that you found a different cake recipe. I think I’ve lost the plot!

You have been quite busy today Mandy. How are you feeling now? Don’t go overdoing it. You’ve reminded me that we need some more compost from Roys. I don’t think we’ll be going into town for a few days so I must write myself a note to get some or I’ll forget again.

I keep wondering if that chap’s cat turned up. He told me his house number and I’d like to go and ask but I don’t know him at all and don’t want to appear nosy or maybe upset him more if the cat hasn’t turned up.

We had our Covid jabs today. The surgery is usually very well organized but they seemed to be at sixes and sevens today and we got a very heavy handed nurse who just jabbed the needle in. She actually said that she felt my muscle jump and my arm feels so heavy and sore now. I’ve never had a jab like that before. Then she wanted to give us both an RSV jab in the other arm. I said I would like a separate appointment for that as I thought I might end up with both arms out of action if I let her jab the other arm as well. So we are both having the RSV vaccine on 1st May but we have to go to one of the other surgeries in town for it and it will be the same nurse. Then just as we were leaving the receptionist called us back to book our next Covid and flu injections in October. We can’t complain really, our GP practice looks after us pretty well and we don’t have to chase much to get appointments.

We haven’t had any rain today but it kept coming over so black that I was sure it would rain. It’s been very windy since lunchtime but seems to have calmed down a bit now. Time to go and make myself some overnight oats for the morning, get a drink and read for a while and then see if my sore arm will let me get comfortable in bed. At least I know this will be better in a day or two.

I'm sure he will enjoy it Mel and it's good to give a present you know he will like. It's nice you have neighbours to chat to and who buy your eggs.

Phones are so much better for taking clearer photos nowadays, just lack enough zoom for really distant subjects you want closeups of. I use my phone much more now as it saves carrying a camera as well. None of us mind forwarding your pics. :-) I must look up those gardens. I hope you have a good night tonight.