General Chat

Afternoon all

Very cloudy here today and we had a light shower of rain earlier.

Poor OH he thought the apple tree stump was completely out but after his mate's husband left he found another bit at the back. Luckily it was only a small piece so he's spent the morning sawing it off. At last it's all gone :-)

Happy birthday to your DIL Mandy, hope she has a nice day <3 The flower arrangement sounds nice and how clever to put it in a mug. She'll have two presents in one now. Yes Sandra is very pleased with the sewing box, it must of taken Mel ages to do and so professional looking too. I wish I was as clever as that.

How are you feeling today Jane, hope the sickness feeling has gone <3 Little Ivy sounds lovely and very lively.

Pleased to hear you have sold something else now Ann. It sounds like you're getting there with your sorting, not much left to do by the sounds of it. You have a lot of cousin's that'll keep you busy finding all their families to put on your tree.

I recorded me and my dog last night Anne as OH has another chest infection and had to go to the out of hours doctors for Antibiotics. He's off work today so all three of us will watch it later. I'll keep an eye out for the one that looks like Max.

Sorry to hear you had a bad night Frank, it must be a worry, nice idea to stay with your sister to help out.

Pleased to hear you had a good nights sleep last night Mel. The sun is trying it's best to make an appearance but it's still quite cloudy and not very warm at the moment.

Its glorious out there today and very Spring like. No wind today and that makes a lot of difference.

Sorry to hear you had a bad night Frank but I expect it was the worry of your sister. It would be nice if you could get to her and look after her for a few days that way it would give her son a break too. How far away from you is she?Frank you shoud also get yourself a small sack barrow which would help move ots of things about in the garden. We have two and I also have a very small light weight one that was mums. I move sacks and pots about with them and also oh and I move the chicken house with them. He is very good at moving heavy things in different way, it must be the fireman in him.

When years ago he had to move a small chest freezer for the icecream at the dog show he put a big strap under one side and hauled it up that way. Could'nt do that now though with his bad back.

So Sandra is still loving her present then Gill. I had'nt stuck the gems in the corners of her name plate when I took the last pics.

Well, I have been busy in this beautiful day.

I got myself Smoked Salmon on toast after coming off here, got my shower and put on some joggers.

New neighbours have moved in next door but one. Nice young couple who seem very polite and always speaks or waves when they see us. He was outside washing his camper van and me, being me, went and ask if he could help me out, by moving the grow bags for me. He turned of his hose and came straight round. He stayed for ages taking to us both and praising Ros for her lovely garden. He had told me whatever I need moving to call on him. He doesn't want us to "knock ourselves up" as he put it.

I have managed both lawns this afternoon, with lots of SIT DOWNS in between grass box emptying. Didn't realise how they had grown in the last week or so.

My sister lives in Woodford Bridge Mel, not far from the Roding and Ashton Playing fields. I suppose it's a two hour plus drive. Which for Ros would be four hour plus having to drive back on her own. That's why I might ask a relation. They are much younger than us. But then who isn't . ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Nice half leg of lamb in the oven. I put it in at 2.00 pm on a very low heat, so will fall off the bone by 6.00 pm, when I dish up. Roast spuds, Parsnips, Spouters, carrots and Cauli.

Ros is working out on the front garden, and who's beside her. HER BLACKBIRD. <3 <3. Pam and Dennis told me they saw a BIG heron sitting on our shed this morning FIRST THING. I said "He won't get fat from the pond as there isn't any fish. !!! We will have to net it when we restock.

Afternoon All

I feel a different person today after feeling sick yesterday. Thinking about it I have a feeling it was bread that caused it.Some breads do not agree with me so I tend t ostick to Sourdough .But the one i had was a different one from M&S.It must have had something different in it as it was called San Fransisco style Sourdough.
I was in bed by 8 .30 (with Thomas). Asleep by about nine and only woke at 5.45 when Thomas woke up .He was as good as gold.I only let him sleep with me when I am in Hannah's bed.Chris won't have him on ours. Hannah's is a double and Thomas always sleeps right up beside the pillows on the bottom sheet. Which I think is funny as he is not a lap cat nor happy to sit beside anyone .

Frank,I think it would do you good to see if you could go and see your Sister.Maybe not for 2 weeks .Am I right in thinking you haven't seen her for many years? It could be a little overwhelming to suddenly have her Brother stay for that long.How about booking a night or two somewhere close by to her.So you could pop in and out(if you know what I mean).It is a shame she is having troubles with kidney infections and high blood sugars on top of trying to recover from her stroke.
Sounds like you have a good new neighbour in the close :-D :-D

I bet OH was 'stumped' ;-) to find a bit more of stump left from the tree Gill. At least it is all done now :-D

I must get a pic of little Ivy before she goes home.She is so cute.

Hannah and Gareth seem to be having a great time in Amsterdam.Yesterday they went on a bike tour out into the countryside. There is a houseboat cat called Binky :-D :-D. Lovely Ginger one. Will send a pic of him/her.

I meant to say yesterday that when i was in M&S early yesterday there was another Meat Thief. I had just parked and was almost at the back entrance to the shop and I heard a right old commotion from inside .A few seconds later a young hoodie almost fell throught the door with a young girl after him.She managed to grab his hoodie just as he grabbed a bike propped against the wall(his get away transport). Well she lost grip of him but got hold of the back wheel of his bike and hung on for grim death.He was yelling "Get off me".She was shouting "you have a bag of Steaks you have stolen "..No I ain't was his reply as he legged it ,having to leave his bike behind.
Now give the girl her due I thought she was very brave to try and tackle this thief,BUT she had a young daughter with her and the poor little girl was absolutely traumatised :-(.. Sobbing her heart out.I saw her and her mum back in the store and the child was in such a state. I know her mum had acted in what she thought was the right way but sadly her little girl is not going to forget this.

So that is the second time in a matter of weeks now I have seen a theft like that from M&S.It may well have been the same person. But where were security. Just the sound of the commotion on the stair well must have been heard by everyone in the store.(It is a very small M&S)

Mandy I am sure your DIL will love her flowers in the mug :-D.. Did the Crocs fit? I hope she has had a lovely Birthday. <3

I just realised it is my Sisters Birthday on Sunday ,so had to hot foot it to the post office to send her pressie today.

I have had my cotton gloves on and off all day as fingers have been peeling and tender.I tried hulling strawberries with the gloves on and now all the fingers are a lovely pink :-D :-D.... Toe nail clipping and skin scraping from the bottom of my foot have gone in.I dropped the specimin pots off at the surgery and the receptionist thought there was nothing in the pots LOL.
Hope that doesn't put you off your dinners :-D

Afternoon Everyone,

Well another bad night for me too. My tum was a bit off still, so I felt best propped up with pillows and at about 1.00am watched the dog prog I'd recorded. It was very interesting and I spotted the dog that looked like Max. He was half Lab and half Springer but all black.

The window cleaner turned up today, but I had a lie in so at least wasn't panicking in the shower!! :-0 lol We had a quiet day today and after lunch went and did a supermarket shop. The old knees were twingeing by the time we finished so I might increase the dose of the joint tablets as I only take the minimum amount. I will look out my knee book later and see what other exercises may help. Like Frank says, it is such a nuisance not being able to do what I want.

That was nice of your new neighbour to move the bags for you Frank. He sounds a decent sort of chap and it gave you a chance to have a chat with him. We have new neighbours moving in opposite next month. All we know is that he is a year older than me and that they often go abroad.

Gill your OH shouldn't do too much while he has the chest infection or it may take him longer to get over it but it's good you have the tree stump out of the way now.

I bet the flower arrangement for your DIL was a nice surprise Mandy. You come up with some good ideas for presents! :-)

Have you got your glasses yet Frank? I bet your bad night was to do with having your sister on your mind as you say. It may be a good idea to go and see her, I would see what she says if you suggest it and hopefully you can sort out getting there and back.

No Jane yet?? I hope she's feeling better today and is just busy.

You just missed me there Ann :-D.I sneaked in before you :-D
I was wondering if your window cleaner was on holiday with not turning up when you expected him. It will be at least another month before ours come again,and the windows are all covered in a fine brown dust.You should see the state of our cars !! :-S

I was saying the other day I didn't think we had any Rapeseed near us..I was wrong. Maybe not as close as other years now but I can see Yellow appearing in several fields a little further off :-| :-|

Did anyone see the programme about the group of people who went to Tuscany to live on the Farm that is up for sale? I can't think what it was called now. But I watched it this afternoon on catchup from last night.I am looking forward to the next episode now.It is fascinating ,but I can see troubles ahead with clashing of personalities.

Evening all,

It's been a lovely warm day here ,Colin's brother came this morning for a catch up and we sat out and had our coffee .
DIL was pleased with her flowers and presents and yes the Crocs were a perfect fit ,i thought they were going to be too broad across her feet but she got her old pair out and they were wide too, all the Crocs look very wide .

Well that's good the tree stump is all cut down now Gill ,i hope your OH soon feels better poor chap seems to get lots of chest infections .

Sorry to hear you had a bad night Frank, as the others have said you have your sister on your mind ,perhaps you could stay some where like a travel lodge for a few days so you could pop in during the day to see her ,staying with her might be a bit to much for her to cope with as she is so poorly .
Sounds as if you have some nice new helpful neighbours ,that was very good of him to move the grow bags for you .
Did you get your new glasses ?

Glad your feeling better today Jane ,you'll have to watch what bread you buy in the future if you think it was that that made you feel sick.
Fancy seeing another shop lifter !! there's bound to be a third !! the young lady was very brave to have a go wasn't she ,her poor little girl though she's not going to like going shopping with her mum after that experience .

Another bad night for you too Ann ,trust the window cleaner to turn up just as you wanted a lie in .
I shall have to get that programme on catch up to see the dog like Max .

Jane i recorded that Tuscany programme as i thought it sounded good .
Is the brown dust on the cars from all the constuction works ? that Rapeseed plant gives off a dust !!!

Oh i meant to say is the nail clipping and skin scraping specimin to see if the creams and lotions are helping ?

Yes, I didn't see you there Jane! :-) I'm glad you are feeling a lot better today. I think we do get more sensitive to some foods as we get older. You'll have to see if there's anything different in the ingredients in that bread. We hardly ate white bread when I was growing up and OH and I don't eat much white bread now, usually some crusty rolls if we do. Sometimes we find we seem to get very bloated with it if we have very much. Thomas was being a sweetie last night not disturbing you but snuggling up quite close!! :-D My car shows a lot of dust since all this building work started Jane so I expect it's the same with you. We spotted some new rape fields when we went out for lunch today. Every year now they seem to grow more and more of it! I must get some more hayfever tablets as my throat has started to get tickly. I was recording something else when the Tuscany prog was on but will watch it on iplayer now as it sounds good.

My crocs are very wide too Mandy, but so are my feet now! It's good they fitted your DIL. I find them ideal for nipping out in the garden, they slip on and off so easily too. I was surprised that even OH has a pair now and wears them considering he can be a fusspot and hates sandals of any kind.

I think we will be off to bed about 8.00pm as we are both so tired today.

Been out all afternoon as I went for chicken food and some bits for oh. Brought home fish and chips.

Glad you feel better today Jane and yes you will have to find out if there is a different ingredient in that ohter bread. Thomas was a nice comfort to you last night. Pets seem to know when your not quite up to scratch.

That was good of your new neighbour to help with the grow bags Frank and to know you can call on him anytime for a lift with something heavy. So nice when you get good neighbours.

I did'nt see the Tuscany program but will have a go at it this evening.

Oh has worked so hard today I think he is now feeling it. He can hardly walk and keeps putting his hand to his back. He has washed his car ready for its MOT next week and it was really dirty as its sat in the garden all winter and had green mossy stuff on it. He has also cleaned out all the filters for his pond which takes ages bending over and had to fit a new pipe to the pump down the well because it had broken off at the pump. So he had to pull the pump up the well first and its about 25 foot deep. He had to make a new connection out of pond pump hose and fix clips to it. Goodness knows what else he has done while I was out but he is going around the house with the frame.

Time I think to feed the hogs and shut the girls away.

I forgot to say that when we went to Hatherleigh the other day for petrol a deer jumped out in front of us and skipped across the road and into a little wooded bit just out the back of where we live on the Black Torrington road.

When I went into Em's with a big bottle of bubble stuff for the boys she told me they saw about 24 or 26 deer over the fields out the front just where her brother wants to plant corn this year! She took a pic on her phone but it was'nt that good but they were all in a line. It was very strange.

Hi Folks, late back this evening ie, 9.30pm as I can stay as long as I want at Linden Grange. We had a pleasant afternoon with not too many interruptions today. For those who are unable to follow my Facebook reports, here it is copied off for you. Sorry I can't put the photos on here but I can email them out to anyone who has the slightest interest.
News from Linden Grange : - Carmel had an uncomfortable night due to a 'water infection' (not in the Grange pipes either!). Dorothy was on the early visit and I arrived about 3.45pm. She picked up during the day and we had a swift pint in the Malt Shovel opposite (NOT). Later on I arranged a carriage (wheelchair) and we trundled off to the little tea/cosy/whatever area called The Bridge'. Nice and peaceful and drinks, bickys were there for the use of. Later on we watched a bit of TV and I left her comfy and cosy tucked up in bed watching The Last Kingdom while I set off for home at 9pm.
Don't miss tomorrows episode on this channel!
Daughter Dorothy is on 'earlys' tomorrow and I'll go along about 1pm and spend a good while with her. The staff have said that I can have Sunday lunch with her there so that will be nice for both of us. The food is good there and yesterday they brought in rice pudding for BOTH of us and I don't mind saying, I haven't tasted rice pud like that since my Mother used to make it. The same with the Horlicks they brought round tonight, both of us had a really nice mug full, made with milk I guess. Our lass tonight was a tiny Thai girl and nothing was too much trouble for her. I'm a devil for asking people where they originate from, I just find it fascinating. There were two lovely nurses at G E that were originally from Nepal and both had relatives in the Gurkha's, stationed at nearby Bramcote Barracks. Bramcote has had a chequered history. It was a RAF station during WW II, then it became HMS Gamecock under the Navey, then the Mercian regiment and now the Gurkha's have it.
I think I've bored you all long enough so I'm off to put my feet up. I don't know if I've left out a piece of this saga, but I think you've all suffered enough, as well as my poor Carmel LOL.
Special thanks go to Mel for the Get Well card and little Shamrock gift, her lady ws delighted.

Forgot to mention, Carmel was able to have a aided shower in the wet room yesterday, the first since she left her to go into hospital A & E. Can you just imagine what heaven that would be for her. What we all take for granted, eh?

Morning all,

Another bright sunny day here and it makes you want to get up and go. The washing is on the line and another load is going in soon.

I am so pleased that Carmel liked the little Shamrock pin and hope it cheered her up. The Grange sounds a super place for her and you by the sounds of things with you being able to eat there on a Sunday. It makes such a difference to have something to eat together. I am sure she will make a speedy recovery now she is there with the caring staff around her.

Oh has prayed the patio outside the back door this morning with wet and forget so thasts drying nicely in the sunshine and looks so much better without all the grunge on it. Now all I have to do is sort out my plants and bleach my stones that go round the edge and get it back to how it should be with a bit of colour round it.

I bought two more packs of those little violas in Morrisons on Tuesday in the same colour, two for £3 so have 12 more to pot up.

Hope Frank had a better night and Ann too. I slept like a log again with one get up in the night and then went straight off again.

Morning Girls and Will, Evening Kim,

Nice bright sunny morning here also Mel, Conservatory door open at the back and windows open at the front, so nice and airy.

Glad you are feeling better jane and that was a nice picture of the cat. Was he coming in or going out ?? like me you wouldn't know ;-) ;-)

Will, that is good you don't have restrictions on visiting times at the GRANGE. I bet Carmel felt like a million dollar's after that shower, and slept well after it.

Why did your OH "PRAYED the PATIO. I know what you meant but it did make me smile.

I think our Garage is out of bounds. Not only have we got the ROBIN and BLACKBIRD, this morning a RING DOVE was going in with beaks full of twigs.
I was filling the feeders this morning, when Ros's blackbird came to see me. He is so tame I almost got him to feed from my hand with mealworms. I will keep trying. He seems to know when Ros is going in the garden, because he's there within minutes.

Yes the neighbour BRIAN seems to be another pair of hands I can call on in times of need. I will get Ros to get a bottle of wine for him, I'm sure he will enjoy that !!!

Harvey's wife Julia is coming to collect Ros at 1.00 pm to take her out for the afternoon and treat her to AFTERNOON TEA. Dos has no idea where she in going, but I am sure she will enjoy it.

I went to bed at 10.30 last night, was still awake at 12.30 when Ros came in. I got up at 1.15 and watched T.V. till 3.30. I didn't feel Ros get up at 8.00 am I woke and cake out at 8.45. So I got a few hours sleep.

I rang my sister this morning. She is feeling very low, she has to go to the hospital for 1.30 this afternoon for heart tests. The doctor who came yesterday or this morning wasn't happy with her HEART. It can't be that bad or he would have had an Ambulance straight away. Her son will take her by car. I will ring again this evening or tomorrow morning. A bit more for me to worry about !!!

Poor Ros, she had a call from the hospital this morning. She has to go to the Doctors and do another water sample, as the last one is showing something, and they need another for more tests. When she was at the hospital on Monday the doctor said "I will see you in EIGHT WEEKS" She got a letter yesterday for the appointment. IT SAID 1st DECEMBER 2017. She rang the department and they said it looks like someone has made a mistake. UNDER STATEMENT :-0 :-0 :-0

New Glass's are perfect for reading, but that's all. If I stand up and look round the room it's as blurred as can be.

No idea what we will eat tonight. If she has a HIGH TEA. she might not want a meal. if so, I will find something in the freezer.

Had to laugh at myself last night. I went to the freezer to get some peas to put with the carrots, and got out bag of PIELLA. I opened it and poured some into the carrots. It was only when I was resealing the bag, that I noticed. So I strained the carrots and took out the rice, mussels etc, Put the carrots back in fresh boiling water and ADDED THE PEAS. Is this an AGE THING ???

Morning all

Pleased to hear you are feeling better now Jane, strange what certain foods can do to you isn't it? Looks like Thomas is keeping an eye on you. I love the photo of the houseboat cat and so did Sandra <3

It sounds like you have a lovely new neighbour Frank and very helpful too. It's nice when neighbours help. A bottle of wine is a nice thought. All those birds in your garage you won't be able to get in there soon LOL Pleased to hear you finally got your glasses. Hope all goes well for your sister.

OH only took about 20 minutes cutting the last of the stump out so he was okay. He's a bit like me and can't sit still for very long, even with an infection, he's gone to work today too.

How nice for you to be able to spend so much time with Carmel, William and to have a meal with her too. I bet she felt so much better after her shower.

Forgot to say I watched the dog programme and loved Betty, she's the same type as our neighbour's dog, Penny. I saw the one that looked like Max <3 Can't wait to watch the next one now.

A truk has driven into people in Stockholm.

I think I am getting as bad as Frank!!!!! First I write Prayed and now I have written Truk instead of Truck.

Still its not as bad as Frank's CAKE, where did that come from?

That was meant to read CAME, I caught the "K" instead of "M" nit picker. !!!! ;-) ;-) ;-) <3 <3 <3

It has stayed a nice day here,slight chill in the air, but I can live with that. The sun is nice and warm behind glass.

I have been giving my "reading glass's" a good work out. With Ros out the T.V has been off and I have got stuck into my book.45% through it, so a long long way to go.

I will look at the news page in a mo Mel. to see what has happened in Stockholm. I expect it's terrorists again :-( :-( :-( But I could be wrong.!!!

I understand what you mean about staying with my Sister for a couple of weeks. Ros has offered to take me down anytime I want to go. But as I said it's a long way for her to drive in a day.

Going into the garden now, to see if I can tempt the blackbird with more mealworms.

See you later, enjoy this weather,

Talk about taking the MICKY. I was looking out of the conservatory window at the garage and saw the Blackbird on the top of the door. I went out and opened the small garage door, and there he was feeding out of the mealworm dish I said to him " you cheeky little bu@@er" he hoped up onto the garage door and stood looking at me. I looked down at the dish and it was empty. So I filled it up, and held it up to him. He hopped on to the dish and started eating. Talk about being tame. I will keep trying, and might get him feeding out of my hand at some time. No sign of the DOVES NEST. So he might have been going in for a feed. !!!

My sister has just rung. The scan has been done on her heart, and they will be forwarding the results onto her own doctor, so things can't be too bad. I hope. !! I asked her if she would like me to go and stay a few days to give Paul a break. Oh NO there isn't anything that you could do. So I have left it that I will ring every couple of days to check up on her.

No sign of Ros yet, so they must be enjoying themselves. They will come home when they are ready.