General Chat

Yes, sorry AnnG I did see it but worried my post was getting long and didn't look back to see if I'd missed anything. I think you may have sparked his interest in FH though!

Yes it must be good to see more of the world and no doubt we could have done it too, as my best friend's brother did, but our priorites were different and to save for a house deposit. If we'd travelled as much as some do instead we would have been complaining we couldn't afford to get on the property ladder!

It sounds as if the horse is coming along well Vera and it's good to do plenty of hacking to get the horse used to seeing, smelling and hearing different things so it isn't fearful when it comes across them again. What is your OH like! At least he must be feeling much better if he was wanting to do the job.

They're out of the oven now and golden brown. There are two cooling on my desk next to my coffee.

I to saw the post about your grandson and did mean to commenet but the postman came and then I had a delivery and I completely forgot too. Sorry. It would be good if he does get interested in the family tree and you have so much info you can give him to start him off and you'll have those photos too.

I am just waiting for my sausage rolls to brown a bit more. I took the recycling box up the top after cleaning the girls out and then did the sausage rolls. I shall have those for tea, well a couple they're only small. Just having a coffee, the timers going off.

AnnG, I had seen the post about your grandson and thought how great it is that some of the younger generation are able to visit other countries and cultures in a way most of our generation couldn't. I did mean to comment at the time but, I have to be honest, I completely forgot. It would be lovely if he did share your interest in FH.

For Annx (and anyone else interested)

A short while ago you asked me if granddaughter was able to ride her horse yet. We've been texting each other today and she tells me that the horse is doing very well. She turns 4 in a few weeks and E. is riding her but so far only in the walk and out on hacks. She is planning to start trot work with her this coming Thursday so it's all good so far :-)

Would you believe that I've just had to stop OH getting the tall step ladder out to "just do that little job that needs doing". It's waited for 4 weeks so it can wait another couple of weeks. As my Dad used to say "It's like Charing Cross in the rush hour" here today. Since 3 pm we've had phone calls, texts, 2 friends knocking to deliver a few cards and a plant for me and the man next door coming in with a couple of raspberry and white chocolate muffins he had made. I'm exhausted!! I'm not grumbling, I just think how lucky I am to have such a kind group of friends and neighbours.

I presume you all saw my post about my Grandson (son’s oldest chil) being in Rio De Jsneiro. Although nobody commented so maybe not. Anyway I spent some time re-photographing a few photos and sent him one of the statue Christ the Redeemer with a group of ships company I. Front for scale and one of my Dad who was ion HMS Durban ‘showing the flag’ in many countries in 193@ and 1932. Had a reply from J saying how it felt good to have that connection across the years. Maybe he will be the one interested in family history. I

A lovely day here too, except for the wind which is quite strong. We seem to have had a lot of windy days lately. It’s nice to see a bit of the yellow stuff.

Nothing much happening here today. We’ve just finished our Sunday lunch and I won’t want to eat much for the rest of the day. A friend called this morning and dropped in a birthday present for me but didn’t come in. I’ve had several cards in the post so I will open everything on Tuesday

I’m just trying to decide whether I’ve got the energy to get seed trays out and sow some coleus seeds, that is if I can find where I put them when I bought them. Ah, I can hear OH filling the kettle so maybe I’ll have a coffee first.

It was a beautiful spring like morning here and at one point the temp went up to 15 degrees,
We seem to have dovered the whole of gloucester, even though we only went to two places Wicks and The Range. She saw some possibles but not really what she wanted. I think she will go out tomorrow to visit places that were not open today. Even I could not find anything to buy in wicks. I had never been to a wicks before but I think it will rank in the same porition as B&Q for wanting to visit. I could have spent plenty in The Range of course but didn't want to waste time looking at craft stuff. I did buy something I wanted though. A new bird feeder and some bird feed.

It is clouding over here now and we have lost the lovely blue sky but it was nice while it lasted. Temp has dropped to 12 now.

Yes it is not very far, I am not really good at judging distance. In the warmer and drier months I do often extend the walk round the park and back to mine via the next estate.

Good Afternoon,

A lovely sunny morning here and no heating needed as yet. OH went for a short walk down towards the river where an old packhorse bridge is in the field. It floods badly there and he said it looked really boggy so he won't be using the footpath across it any time soon.

That is quite a short walk to Irene's then AnnG but enough to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. I'm still doing my daily pedal on the cross trainer and have gone from 10 pedals to 40 now and it must be helping as it is getting easier. I hope your friend finds some trellis she likes and you never know what you might see for yourself!

I need to do some HW in the kitchen and the fridge needs a wipe out while there isn't much in there and then I may tidy in here and get my paints out for an idea I have. I also need to email Fitz.

Morning all,

I'm sure you will enjoy the ride out and probably buy something.

Another grey and dismal morning here and it looks wet out so I suppose it rained inthe night. The deer are up the border eating the new shots of the Day Lillies and treading over everything.

I'm sitting here in the kitchen corner drinking my offee and getting ready to start another day. I have some miniature moulds to take out today and then cast them to see if they work.

Good morning all 10 degrees and dry so far. low cloud and a bit grey. Popping out with a friend over the road at 11. Really exciting, she wants to look at trellis fencing for the top of a low fence.

Ann I imagine there and back is less than a quarter of a mile. There and back is a 20 minute walk for me. I am not a particularly slow walker.

Mel at least BiL is ok anyway. So that is good to know.

BIL came today just s I was getting a parcel ready to go up and post at the shop. He said it was dry and warmer so I did'nt need a coat. Just as we left and drove onto the road it started to rain so I did need a coat like I said I would. Anyway we did the shop and came home and I got my coat and off we went to Mole Valley as I told him I needed chicken food.

I told him he missed my birthday but he had an excuse because his wifes father was visiting so he had to stay home. Then in the week his wife was very short of breath again and she's still at home and got another week off work. He took her to the docs on Friday and she now has a chest infection. She's got another week off work next week too. He is going to work next week as usual.

In MV I bought some tomatoe seeds three packets, I bought Gardeners delight one of my favorites and I know its Annx too, Sungold always been my favorite from when we grew all the veg to sell outside on the barrow, and Burlesque F1 a beefsteak variety. I noticed when in there that not one of the seed packets has a price on now so you don't know what they cost till you get to the till. I also got a bag of nuts for the birds then got to the checkout and BIL paid!!! I was shocked but he said he had forgotten my birthday and that was to make up for it. I won't tell you how much it all cost but I have the bill to see what price the seeds were. I suppose with prices going up all the time they just put the barcodes on things now.

When I got home BIL put both sacks of food in my bins for me so did'nt even have to do that.

I had a nice day and feel much better for just getting out and being able to look out of the car window at whats changed on the was to Mole Valley.

Rosemoor has a nice restaurant but I think it is inside the centre so you would have to pay to get in. But the retail park would be good Mel wonder hat shops they have there.

Afternoon All,

A bit of weak sun today so after I showered and popped to the shop I went to Peatling Parva to look at the snowdrops at the church. It was further than I remembered as I hadn't been since The Shires pub that did fantastic carveries changed hands. The carveries ended then except for Sundays and they only open a few days in the week now. A nice old village farm I passed is up for sale, all signs of the times now. The narrow lanes were good and had been resurfaced, so long stretches with no potholes and the litter pickers with their bags gave me a friendly wave as I went by. Far more cars parked in the village now but I managed to drive up the little road to the church and park. The snowdrops were a bit disappointing this time but crocus and some celandines have been added since I last went. Lots of lovely sphagnum moss, but I had to be careful on the uneven ground. I got a few pics and of the Hall opposite, but the camera focuses on the wrought iron gates so the swathe of spring bulbs beyond look a bit blurred. It was a nice little run out though which was good for my car.

I hope your leg is feeling better after some rest now AnnG. Is it far to Irene's, although I know myself it doesn't need to be far when a leg or knee says enough.

Mandy I think once they have the results of these last blood tests they will be able to decide what injections he will need. I read that about the bone cement as well. Whatever next! Your roast chicken sounds nice and it's good to have something left for bubble and squeak tomorrow.

Mel, the little potters wheel came up on my feed, but if you google there are lots of them, all kinds and sizes on amazon and ebay. I'm not sure if you could do any of your small miniatures on the ones I've seen though, but with little tools you might.

You are probably still a bit down after the bout of flu. More contact, if that's what you want won't come to you unless you do something. I agree with AnnG that there's nothing to stop you going out now you have a more reliable car and can drive. I go to cafes like she does with a paper or magazine for a change of scene You live in a beautiful area, so why not go to Rosemoor Garden, they must have a cafe there too. The Affinity Retail Park is only 13 miles away near Bideford and just off the A39. Do you visit Auntie Joy? You said Stu likes castles like you and you were going to visit some so why not remind him?

Vera I'm glad your OH is improving and I remember OH looked really thin to me and drawn when he lost a lot of weight. Since he put 3-4 lb back on and his weight seems to have redistributed on his body he looks ok now and is the right weight he should be, so I hope your OH does the same. I hope your back soon gets better too.

Mandy you got a lot done on a tired day!!! You will be zooming around when it is an energetic day.
Vera pleased that OH is showing some interest in things. the problem is when we are older and lose a lot of weight we do tend to look drawn. Keep giving him tasty stews and dumplings and similar he will gopefully put on a bit of weight then. It is pouring with rain here, has been all afternoon so it was a good job I went down to Irenes this morning while it was dry.

Youngest Grandson is in Rio De Janeiro. He was at the carnival and has been up sugar Loaf mountain, he does seem to be having a good time which I am pleased about. And was just telling him I have photos here of my Dad on sugar Loaf in 1931. He did a South American tour. The photos are not that good of course but I will have to have a go at copying a couple tomorrow. I do try not to worry about him but it is hard not to.

Afternoon everyone

Much warmer today although there is still a bit of a chilly breeze. So far it has stayed dry.

I hope your bil is OK Mel. Perhaps he is just busy. I can understand that you sometimes feel isolated and lonely but AnnG is right. Just go out for a coffee somewhere. It will give your car a run and take you out where you can at least see people around you. Do any of the larger villages or your nearest town have a U3A group that might interest you? There are bound to be craft groups or something like the garden interests group that AnnG enjoys.

Yes, Mandy, I read something in the paper about the shortage of bone cement. Apparently there was some fault at the German factory where it is manufactured. It's been put right but they reckon the shortage of cement will last for a couple of months.

Your poor OH really has been through the mill Annx. It's a shame they have found something else to monitor with his eyes and I hope it turns out to be nothing much to worry about. Now they want more blood! How much more can they need? At least they are keeping a good watch on him.

My OH is perking up a bit and showing a bit more interest in things generally. He's eating well but looks so small and thin now, just skin and bone. He's still got a bit of pain and not a lot of energy but otherwise says he feels fine. My back is still quite painful but I am sure it will improve in a few days. It always does.

We've got half of yesterday's stew left so in a while I'll heat that up and pop in a couple of dumplings each. In the meantime I fancy a cup of tea with a nice ginger biccy so I'll go and make that now.

Afternoon all,

It's been a nice bright morning with a little sun at times ,first thing it was raining and I thought it had settled in for the day as the sky was so grey.

Ann it must have been windy yesterday if your bin went flying , poor OH all this blood they keep taking its about time they started on some treatment for him .

I saw on the news the other day that there's now a shortage of the cement they use on knee and hip operations so they've cancelled all those operations for two months ,more waiting for the people wanting those operations.

Mel I'd give your bil a call it would stop you wondering and put your mind to rest to find out if he's OK.

Got all my veg done this morning to have our roast chicken tonight ,I've done some extra for bubble and squeak tomorrow.
I also made some sausage rolls ,Colin had a couple for his lunch ,now I'm having g a sit down as it's ons of my feeling tired days

Mel I get what you are saying and living alone it is easy to feel lonely. However, you have a car, which will have a flat battery if you don't run it. Is there not a supermarket or out of town shops in a short driveable distance? If there is, drive there, even if you don't need anything. If there is a cafe, have a cup of coffee. (I find it easier if I have a paper to put in front of me/read). People watch and you won't feel as lone;y for being among people. You don't have to speak to anyone if you don't want to but at least you will be in the outside world. I envy you being still able to drive and having a car. I am assuming that you are not on a bus route to take trips and look at the view even if you go there and straight back.

I have just made myself walk down to Irenes with some books and a few sweaters no lunger required by me. It is dry, not windy but feels damp although not raining. 11 degrees. It was hard work as my legs really didn't want to walk this morning after walking yesterday right leg is quite stiff and achy still I have done it now so I shall go and have a coffee, BBL.

Morning anng and all,

It was misty when I woke up and quite british but now its grey and raining. No change there then!

Not seen or heard from BIL for two weeks today so I wonder if he will turn up today or not???

I keep asking him if he will do thepc for me as this old one is really playing up now and without it I am lost. You lot are my only contact with the outside world really and being alone its a bit like being in prison with these grey wall round me.