General Chat

From Liz


Hello Everyone,
Just read your post Mel and had to say that I've used two tablespoonfuls of soda in the washing machine every wash for years, and like you said, it works a treat! You can get it in powder form these days which is even better as it dissolves well in low temperatures; that and a capful of dettol and all is well on the washing front!!
Ian is putting up better fence in Merlins little paddock to make it safer for Cas to run in. It looks really good! Later on we've got to tie the tomatoes in the greenhouse, and do a bit of late planting out!
Enjoy your holiday Frank, and everyone have a good day.
Love,
Liz xx

The Ivy is off some cuttings I got off mum last year, it stays green if I remember correctly Jane and grows upwards. I do have some variegated trailing Ivy I've put in pots and put right along the border in front of the kitchen window which looks really nice. I just need to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't try to root in the soil. It's just a point of picking the Ivy up off the ground every now and then so no bother.

Mum gave me some 5ft by 18 inch pieces of trellis, three of them, a few years ago that she no longer wanted Mandy so we're going to use them length wise to make a back on the planters, we're also going to put a plastic trough inside the wooden planters to stop the Ivy coming through the bottom and also to stop the wood from rotting. I priced some wooden planters with trellis at the back and they were over £200 for the size we're going to make. (about 6ft high) OH has some wood and I've already got the plastic trough and compost, so it shouldn't cost us any where near as much as buying one, even though we will need to buy a few pieces of long wood to support the trellis so it doesn't blow off the planter. We've also got some green paint left over from when we painted the fence last year, so all in all it'll be a nice project costing us very little. It'll also make us some room in the shed as everything is in there at the moment. All we need now is the nice weather to make it :-)

Yes, Mel, we were a bit worried that the back might blow off so we might screw the planter to the fence through the screening. I've also got a bit of screening left over so we're going to use that at the back of the trellis as the Ivy will take a while to grow to the 6ft height and it'll look better too. We're also going to put the planter on wheels so we can move it around if we want to. We have some wheels that lock so that should help stop it moving around in the wind.

We were going to sort the shed out next week anyway, so hopefully we'll find everything we need and I have 11 Ivy plants I made out of cutting I got off mum. It's just a point of putting it all together now.

I noticed an email off Liz, so wonder if it's the same as yours Mel, I'll check when I've sent this post.

It's going to be an early start for you tomorrow Frank, have a safe journey. Are you taking your laptop with you? We all missed you last time you went away.

Poor Larry, you'd think they would have a room for him to stay in, like you said Jane, as it's quite a journey back and forth. Hotel's are really expensive too, especially if you don't know how long you're going to need one for.

So you're filling your swimming pool Mandy, do you think Max will jump in it when it's done. All you need now is the good weather :-)

Going to get a cuppa and check the email off Liz now.

Gill if you have some ivy in pots and you're worried it will reach the ground just stand its pot on an upside down one to lift it a bit. Varigated ivy will climb too. In fact I think all ivy climbs. You could also do it with other flowers to make the back taller and so have them in three stages to give a fuller effect.

Evening everyone

I haven't looked in for a couple of days so haven't been able to read many of the posts yet.

Loved the pictures of the bambis in your orchard Mel they look so sweet.

I hope you have a lovely relaxing holiday Frank and safe journey down to Devon, I hope the weather is kind to you.

The wind has really got up here now but it's not at all cold .

Pools filling nicely ,Max keeps standing on his hind legs to see in but he's not quite tall enough.

Frank have a safe journey tomorrow down to Devon it will be nice for Ros not having to do the driving .

Mel, your poor arms they do look all blotchy, i hope you soon get some relief from all the itchyness.

Anyone watched The Loch?

No I've not watched it Mel.

Your poor arms look bad, did the tablet make any difference?

Thanks for the advice on my Ivy. I was thinking before of a way to stop the Ivy growing into the soil and have come up with the idea of putting slate tiles underneath the pots, I have quite a few piled up at the bottom of the garden which I'm not using at the moment, so I'll use them. I was going to use them for a water feature but have decided if we make one to use all the rocks we have, also stored at the bottom of the garden, they are weathered and look really nice so would look good around a pond, it all depends on weather we can buy a pump with wiring long enough to bring into the bungalow, as I'd like a small waterfall, if we can't then I can always use the rocks for a rockery. I have so much stuff just laying around so I might as well use it in the garden somewhere.

Just watching the F1, it's quite an exciting race compared to the last one, which I thought was a bit boring.

Sandra's just come into the living room and said she was watching the loch Mel. She said some of it was a bit gross so she forward it, she said apart from the dog bit it was okay. I'm not really into that sort of thing so won't be watching it.

Well, I'd better get back to the race before I lose track of what's going on.

Morning all,

We have a bit of sunshine this morning.

Hope Frank and Ros are well under way by now and have a good journey down.

Well my watch says 44 mins to 11 and the pc says 11.17am so I think that must be right.

I have a little story to tell you now.

About 18 years ago oh bought me a lovely amethyst and silver ring for Christmas.
I really loved it and one day his brother was down here with his girl and I made a big steak and kidney pie for our dinner from scratch. Made all the pastry etc. As we sat down to dinner that night I glanced at my ring and there it was on my finger STONELESS. Just the silver ring with a gapping hole in it. I was so upset and looked around everywhere we had been without any luck. We all said it must have gone in the pie and one of us had eaten it.

A couple of years later oh bought me another amethyst and silver ring but it just ws'nt the same as the first one and was bigger. I have worn it quite a lot and only the other day I put it on when I went shopping.

He has just come in from the garden where he was fiddleing around with the side of the road where he is thinking of putting blocks along the edge to stop the grass sinking. He came up to me and held out his closed hand and I put mine underneath thinking he had found me another small sloworm and he dropped what was in his hand...............it was the amethyst stone I lost all those years ago. I was highly delighted but to think it has been up the garden all of at least 18 years is unbelievable. I have swept that road many times since losing it and I never saw it then or did it drop on the grass and has worked its way to the edge.

I am thrilled to say the least and it has made my day. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Afternoon all

Sunny here today with a bit of a breeze, I've just finished all my jobs for today in the garden, so I'm having a well earned rest and a cuppa.

How wonderful Mel, have you still got the ring, it would be a shame if you haven't or have forgotten where it is? I hope you've got it and can have the amethyst put back in.
Just remember to take your ring off next time you're in the garden :-)

Afternoon All,

That's amazing Mel and I hope you still have the ring to get it refixed again. :-) Maybe a bird had carried it there? If it was a bit sparkly one of those Jackdaws may have carried it off and left it there. I loved the pic of the little fawn.....so sweet isn't it!

OH has been 'hedging and ditching' as he calls it behind the back fence to get all the brambles and nettles cut back so they don't block the view over the field. As usual he is a mass of cuts and stings on his arms despite wearing a long sleeved denim shirt. :-S

We stayed in for lunch and had fresh salmon with new potatoes and salad as OH has 2 meetings this afternoon and tonight. He is covering some meetings for another lady who covers for him at times. She is having chemotherapy at the moment.

Gill I had a lovely golden yellow and green ivy once and it didn't climb very well up the bit of trellis I had in the pot so I planted it next to the garden wall. It grew like mad there and got such a grip on the bricks I had to chop it down.

I have a top to take back now so will scoot off to Nuneaton next.

It's sunny here now but less windy here today so I hope it will be nice for Frank too.

HERE I AM !!!Good afternoon Friends,

Jan was a little late picking us up due to the traffic, I suppose we were on our way by 10.00 am We stopped for the girls to go to the toilet, then stopped again at Bristol for a bite to eat and coffee. We arrived here about 2.30 ish. We are unpacked nd Jan is making a cup of tea/coffee.

As she has done all the driving I have said I will take us all out for a meal tonight. Conrad rang her while we were travelling and he said how hot is was in Spain, at that time the temperature here was 16 degrees, he said I will swoop you.!!!

Mel, how wonderful was that. A once in a million chance. I am so pleased for you. xxx

So the pool is full and Max can't wait to take the plunge <3 <3 <3 I bet he will have a shock if he goes in, !!.

The meat left over from dinner last night went to NORMAN the Labradoddle (sp)that Lynn owns, He was jumping up and down my legs when he saw me. I use to treat him to lots of meats that we had over, but recently Ros has been taking it to Martine's dogs, so he has missed out.

Weather is not great here, but is suppose to get better Wednesday onwards. So here's hoping.

Take care of yourselves while I am away. Will be popping in to see you xxx.

Lovely to know you have all arrived safely Frank and I am glad you have your pc with you. Did you remember to take your camera? There may be a shop somewhere near you where you can get a lead to it.


what is your camera. Give me the make name and numbers.

Well before lunch I started looking for the ring. Do you think I can find it...? no. I am so pi**ed off I am going in the garden.

Afternoon Everyone

Mel ,what a lovely surprise that was after all this time. I expect you will find the ring somewhere and then you can have the stone reset :-D :-D.
How are your itchy bits today?

Glad you have arrived safely Frank.The weather will pick up for you.It looks like it is going to be getting really warm again soon.

Ann,you and I always seem to be taking tops back LOL. I took one back to Next the other day.

High Pollen today here.Don't I know it.Itchy ears ,throat and eyes. :-S. I wish the wind would die down.,although it is not as bad as it has been.

I didn't watch The Loch in the end .I might have a look on catch up .Poldark too I havn't watched ,but I didn't see the other series either. A new series Fearless starts tonight which looks like it might be good.
Has anyone been watching Queer Britain?. I have found it really interesting and informative

Thomas has been out stuffing himself all day.He came in just now and sat Meowing at me ,so I pt some fresh food down.He took one look at it and then walked out back dow nthe garden again :-S.. We think he might have a bit of a limp on his back leg(the one that was operated on). He has just probably pulled it a bit if he has ben chasing rabbits or even climbing over a fence.

So Max can't see over the edge of the pool Mandy !. .I bet he would be in there in a flash if he could.Labs usually love the water :-D :-D

Evening all,

Little bit of sun here today but we have also had plenty of cloud .

Glad you arrived safe and sound Frank ,the weather should get better for you over the next few days ,i'm sure you'll enjoy yourself though what ever the weather is like as it does you good to have a change of scenery .

Oh Mel what a find after all that time ,i hope you gave OH a big kiss :-D now if only you could find the ring ,fingers crossed it will turn up ,i bet you've tucked it away some where safe .

So poor Thomas is limping :-( lets hope it's nothing to serious and just his running after the rabbits that has made it bad again .
High pollen here too today !! i have been sneezing and had a runny nose all morning ,it's eased of a little now thank goodness.

I didn't watch The Loch last night or Poldark as like Jane i didn't see the last series.

I forgot to say Mel how itchy your poor arm looked. I wonder if it is something you eat? Well, fancy you not being able to find the ring. I hope it turns up and won't be a case of 'never the twain shall meet'. :-S

Jane, the 'top' return was nearly a disaaaaster as I took the wrong receipt with me!!!!! I bought 2 tops on the same day and because the shop has 2 tills for different makes (don't ask!!) I had 2 receipts. Luckily they took pity on me and the other till lady remembered me buying them so they gave me a refund. Yes, I think we both do more 'buying' than 'keeping' of tops don't we! Still, you can't have too many tops!! lol. I hope Thomas hasn't done himself a mischief with his leg and that he soon stops limping. Perhaps something bit back?

Good to hear you are there and all settled in Frank. :-) I hope you enjoy your meal out tonight. :-) I think it;s supposed to be hot on wednesday so get your shorts ready!

I fell asleep in the middle of Poldark last night!!! :-0 I watched the rest in bed this morning. There seems to be a lot happening and trouble ahead. I've recorded The Loch to try and also Silent Witness, which I really enjoy. I haven't seen Fearless before so will have to look at the iplayer.

What a pity you can't find the ring Mel, I'm sure once you have a think you'll remember where you put it.

Pleased you have arrived okay Frank, yes the weather is suppose to improve in the next few days. Hope you can buy the lead you need for your camera, if you remembered to take it with you that is. Enjoy your meal out tonight.

Poor Thomas, hope his leg isn't to serious Jane and he's on the mend soon. It's probably all the running after rabbits that's done it.

We had a bit of Ivy growing up our bungalow wall when we first moved in Ann and you're right it does stick to the bricks, it took us ages to get rid of it. That's why I'd never plant Ivy in the ground, I've seen programmes where Ivy has actually got through the brickwork into the property and caused so much damage, it's just not worth taking the risk.

I recorded Poldark but haven't watched it yet.

I have just had a lovely long chat with my old friend Margaret .She was the cook at the Big House where I was a Nanny. She was in her 30's when I first knew her.She is now 80 !!!! But still very young at heart.
She was telling me about certain foods that give her wind and then told me this 'Poem'/Saying
Wherever ye be let the wind blow free
for holding it in was the death of thee
In Church or Chaple let it rattle
for holding it in was the death of me :-D :-D The way she told it was so funny with her very broad Cornish accent :-D It creased me up !!!

I had quite a good go in the garden this afternoon. Spag bol for dinner and I had that in the freezer so no cooking.

My itches hav'nt been so bad today but it may be because I kept busy. I still hav'nt found the ring but I know I have it somewhere and have seen it quite recently. It is black now but I can soon clean that when I find it.

Ivy grows up everything in this garden. I cut it all down from one place on the top wall where I have the border and now it is back up to the top again.

I enjoyed Poldark last night but was so tired when it had finished I actually went to bed at 12am and fell asleep right away. Woke a couple of time scratching though and woke oh too.

Poor Thomas I hope its nothing serious with his poorly leg.

Just as we were about to sit down to dinner oh saw a fox walk across the garden with something in its mouth. He thought it was one of Thomas's favorites and shot out the front door with the gun but could'nt see where it went.