General Chat

Good morning Frank. Mel and everyone.

Just finished putting the Sainsbury's shopping away so all done for another week.

Pleased to hear Colin's scan didn't show up anything serious Mandy it must be such a relief for you both.

Jane, Hannah & Gareth's flat looks really nice, I had a smile seeing the sofa being dismantled on the pavement, good job it wasn't raining. Sorry to hear your fingers are still so sore you must be so fed up with it now. Happy birthday to Fitz for his 70th, I'm sure he will love the painting as it was done especially for him , I hope you all enjoy the food and bubbly, will his wife be joining you?

Just been playing with Ruby who has now gone to sleep in her kitchen bed, It's funny how she can be manic and out for the count all in a minute.

Mel how lovely to be able to see the little swallow chicks it would be nice if you could take a photo of them.

I am feeling much better now the weather is cooler and we had rain at last yesterday, when I slept for over 2 hours with Ruby on my lap,

Morning/Afternoon All

Well we are all ready for Fitz. Table set with lots of nice grub and guess who have just brought his own lunch in to the kitchen .. Thomas with a flipping RABBIT !!! :-S :-S. Thankfully dead.So Chris has wrestled it off him and disposed of it across the road.
Talk about timing LOL.

Ann I am so glad you are feeling much better now. That heat was a killer wasn't it.

Frank I bet it felt strange behind the wheel . Were you tempted to drive off ? ;-) :-D

Yes the painting Chris has done is of a cottage that Fitz lived in back in the 70's .It is right in the middle of nowhere. High up looking out over the sea.Up a one track lane.
Got go now Fitz is here.

Well we are looking POSH. Our paths have been re-tarmaced and look a treat. I made the three chaps a coffee and a plate of biscuits. They said I was the first to offer and thanked me very much.

Pam and Dennis came in for coffee at 10.30 am and never left till almost 12.30 They bought their little dog with them, she is a lovely little thing and loves plenty of fussing. She is cross between a Jack Russel and another small breed. She is a delight, and so good.

Lamb shanks are in the oven with, carrot, onion, celery, leeks, parsnips, various herbs and gravy. That can tick along for a few hours. I have done the potato's, Runners, broad beans and peas. If we eat that lot I will say we re PIGS.

Madam is in the front garden having a tidy up. She has de-headed the poppies and the head's are in a big bowl to catch the seeds. What she will do with them all I just don't know. :-0 :-0 :-0

Well the weather is holding for you Jane, it might not be sunny, but at least dry for now. In fact it's starting to look brighter as I speak. Give Fitz my regards, even though I haven't meet him, from what you have told us about him, it seems we do KNOW HIM.

Great second half of football last night. Then it went to penalties and the Chile goalkeeper saved three penalties, so won the match. Germany play tonight, so I might have a walk down the pub and watch them.

O Happy Birthday Fitz xxxxx <3 <3 <3

I have something important to report!!

SHED ROBBY IS BACK.

So he was'nt killed by the hawk. His head is as bald as a babies b*m. He looks so funny as he has just a couple of red feather very small above his beak. I must see if I can get a pic of him. We are calling him Baldrick at the moment.

Must get up the docs for my pills.

Jane no need to ask if Fitz was pleased with his present of the painting his face says it all, lovely photos of him, he looks good for 70, hope he enjoyed his day. Couldn't open the video of Thomas, the rabbit was his contribution to the meal :-) :-) .

Mel you must have been pleased that shed Robby is back home, I wonder if a rival could have caused the baldness.

Frank you will be fit to burst after your huge meal only half of it would be more than enough for us.

Evening all ,

It's been a much better day today ,just a few spits of rain first thing and even a peep of the sun through the cloud this afternoon.

Well Fitz looks pleased with his picture doesn't he ,he certainly doesn't look seventy ,did he have a tear in his eye Jane when he saw the picture ?

That's lovely that Robbie is back Mel ,i wonder were he's been ,do you think the other birds have been picking on him ?

Not a lot happening here ,been shopping this morning ,popped to see sister this afternoon to take BIL's birthday card for tomorrow .
Little Molly is growing but still has a skin problem ,she seems to non the worse for her gorge on the Bassetts liquice sweets .

So your paths are all sorted now then Frank ,i bet you would have loved to take the car for a spin .

What a lovely picture Chris painted for Fitz fo his birthday. He looks over the moon with it. Hope he's had a good day.

Well Robby had a near miss earlier on. I was feeding the birds with mealworms under their cage (our old washing up draining basket) and as I stood watching there was a great flapping and the sparrow hawk came down and went for Robby as he flew under the Christmas tree but the lower branches saved him as the hawk crash landed on them. I went over to the tree and lifted the bottom branches and Robby flew out. Phew! He has been back at the patio since so no harm done but my hert lept a beat as it happened before my eyes.

I have steak and kidney for tonight but I am not making pastry so we will have dough boys with it.

I have also made a lb and a half of strawberry jam from my own berries as they were all laying in water in the soak trays after all that rain. I just had 1 lb of berries which is enough for cooking in the micro.

Gosh I have just looked at the time and I hav'nt fed the chickens their corn yet!!!!!!!

I have taken some pics of Robby but not downloaded them yet.

Frank,what a meal you are having tonight !!!!. You won't be able to move after that lot LOL
That is good your path outside the house is done now.All nice and neat :-D

Yes Fitz did have a little tear in his eye when he saw the painting :-D. He is looking really well at the moment ,and feeling good after his 5 yr check up from the Kidney Cancer op. That was a gresat birthday present for him.He has the all clear again :-D

The little video clip of Thomas and the painting is so funny .It is a shame some of you can't see it.

Poor little Robbie sounds a bit battered and bruised Mel.But how nice to se him back again :-D :-D.He is a survivor :-D :-D

Evening All,

I feel a lot better now it is cooler too Anne. A lot less tired for one thing! Little Ruby runs her battery flat then has a nap to recharge them!! lol.

That's great Fitz liked the painting Jane. He is like OH in that he has a face that's always ready to break into a smile which is lovely!! :-) I meant to ask you after I last saw him if he had lost weight as he seems to look more trim these days. When it's time for his scan it must be quite worrying till he knows he's ok. Will he have to have any more now he's reached 5 years? Thomas looked like he had spotted his reflection in the glass. It took me ages to get the video to download.

Frank I think for old times sake I would have had a little shunt up and down the drive in the car! :-) I bet you are spick and span with your newly tarmaced path! I would enjoy your meal tonight and would have a small helping of everything except the potatoes.

I went to the Research Centre this morning to a meeting to discuss another new study. It's quite interesting now the three research units are more joined up as I notice they were covering more than one aspect with this study. I imagine it may be more cost effective. The only downside was we finished early so didn't get lunch today!

OH went off to a workshop tonight. He is a chartered management institute fellow and they were running a free workshop he was interested in. Sod's law before he set off to Castle Donington he saw there was an accident and holdups on the M1 so he had to go a different way and set off earlier. They had to delay the start as so many people had got stuck in the traffic queues. He said there were men that looked ex military on the door, probably due to the airport being so close.

It sounds like Robby had a narrow escape there Mel! I wonder where he's been all this time. I bet the little Swallows are cute! Will OH have to wear a souwester now?

I wonder what is affecting Molly's skin Mandy and whether any of the other pups have it too? I bet everyone is glad the Allsorts episode and after effects is well and truly over!!

Morning all,

Yet another dull and dreary day here in north Devon. So much for a decent summer. I think we had our summer all in those very hot days and all at once and thats it.

I meant to say to you that there was a new program on More4 last night which I have seen on my Firestick and I thought it very good. I think maybe Liz may like it.
They have been advertising it on channel 4. I have seen series 1 and 2 and am waiting now for series 3. Its a bit blood and guts in some places but the main story line is good. Is called Outlander.

Good morning Mel and ALL, Evening to our Kim,

Very dull and overcast here, I don't know if we will see any yellow stuff later.


So Robbie has decided to make an appearance, he was lucky to escape the hawk wasn't he ??

Ros left a message for Lewis on What's App. His reply was "Stop worrying , I promise I will behave and keep myself safe" Love you, Lewis. Lets hope he has a nice holiday.

I think you must have missed me out Jane, I haven't received a thing from you. !!

No I had no inclination to want to drive the car. All I did was put it in neutral and take the hand brake off, and let it roll down the drive. I know I wouldn't be safe to drive. My right leg wouldn't get off the accelerator and onto the brake quick enough. So I am keeping DANGER OFF the roads. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Ros has another parcel to send to Devon, that will be three this week. Two for Conrad's B'day presents and todays a present for Ella for her trip to Spain on the 9th July with Jan. Jo is coming here on the 25th I think to drop off JJ. Roa will take her to Luton and collect her and Ella 10 days later. Jan will stay on a week or two more with Conrad.

The left over vegetables from the lamb shanks and the gravy, will be blitzed up to make a nice home made soup. We might have that at lunchtime.

The workman are continuing down the path passed Tony's, they should be finished today. Monday and Tuesday they will be back to do the POT HOLES. What a waste of time and money that will be.

Well I have been having a "TRIPPING TIME" LOL LOL. I decided to feed the fish and the Tomato's. Got the feeding liquid into the watering cans, went to the water butt to fill them and tripped A over H into the flower bed, just missing the BIG ROSEBUSH. I was able to pull myself up on the greenhouse, and sit down to get my breath back. I was on my own as Ros had gone to post the parcel. All the doors and gate were locked so no one could have got in to help me. I must remember not to try doing jobs when Ros is not around.

Madam has had a good old go this morning, around the hob, All the cooking utensils have been put in the dish washer to clean all the cooking splashes off of them. The back of the hob has had a good clean. I have just opened the D/W door and everything is too hot to handle. I have left the door open, then I can get them out and back into place before she gets back.

Still no sign of the weather improving, still muggy without a breath of wind.

I have got a nice pain in my neck and shoulder now, so I am going to put my neck thingy on and read my book.

See you all later.

O you naughty boy Frank, what are we going to do with you? I hope you hav'nt hurt yourself too badleyso have a nice rest till Ros gets home.

Well I was going to Hosworthy this afternoon for chicken food but oh has just talked me out of it.

Its still raining here and I am just about fed up with it now. I have covered my strawberries with bubble plastic now under the net to keep the rain off of them. They are going soft and then mouldy. The bantams like them though.

good afternoon all

Ruby had me up at 4am she was crying so I took her out for a wee but because I think she maybe teething I sat in my armchair with her and gave her the teething ring which she chewed on, she has only done this once before so I am lucky with her,

It's Richard's 50th birthday today but he still has to work, Paul is coming over and I am cooking them a steak each, he's staying overnight because tomorrow they are spending a day in London with about 19 friends, they are going to Tate Modern then out for a meal which has already been booked. He has had money from us all towards a new Nikon camera, this was tried out as he was asked to take photos of his goddaughter and her friend in their Prom dresses yesterday.

That was a good photo of Robby, Mel pleased that he had a lucky escape, is he definitely a boy as I know girl robins have the same red markings, we used to have a pair in the garden a few years back the only noticeable difference was one was a lot slimmer. The wooden sculptures were a work of art.

Frank I hope you have no ill effects from your latest tumble, your lucky to have no broken bones.

Hi all

Just a quickie to let you know I'm still around. We've been out and about the last few days visiting OH's mum and brother. MIL is blaming herself for her sons cancer saying it's because she smoked when she was pregnant. Of course OH has said that's not the case. I think because she's so worried about her son she's not thinking straight. BIL has an appointment to see the specialist in a couple of weeks, so we'll all know more then. He looks so old and has lost almost 10 stones since Christmas, it's not stopping him going out though, which is good and he left when we did to pick his children up from school. Sandra took her camera and got a lovely photo of her dad and uncle. I was quite surprised they agreed as neither of them like having their photo taken.

I haven't caught up with the posts yet, but did notice that it's Richards 50th today.

<3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD <3 <3 <3 Have a good one :-)

I'll catch up with the posts tomorrow as I've woken up with a sore wrist....must of slept funny, so it hurts to type. Hope everyone is okay.

Gill, If your BIL has lost almost 10 stone since Christmas. HOW BIG WAS HE BEFORE. ?? I remember my dad loosing weight with his cancer he went from 15 stone down to 4 stone of skin and bone but that was over almost 2 years. How is Mum ???

Happy Birthday to RICHARD. I wish I was 50 again !!! and know what I know now LOL LOL. No Anne ,no ill effects from my fall apart from my aching neck and arm.

Mel, I haven't received any photo's. It might be my end, but I don't know how or why. !! The weather here is just starting to show signs of improving. A bit of hazy sunshine just poking through.

Port steaks tonight. Ros is having new pots and corn on the cob. I'm having a Jacket with Baked beans. Nice and easy, as I don't feel like standing for long tonight.

I have received TWO more books of Martine Cole this afternoon. They were marked as £16.99 each new,I got the pair for £1.00 plus P & P. so well pleased. Another one on offer at 59 p so I am set up for a few weeks reading. I have enjoyed a lot of her books, and T.V. programmes. They tend to be about the East End of London and the gangland. Just my sort of reading.

Frank I have resent them to you and Jane as they were the first names on the list but it must have just taken the next lot.

Afternoon All
I have been on the laptop for blooming ages looking for another dress for the e
wedding. Have ordered one now.I actually ordered 2 both the same but in 2 different sizes.If one is ok the other will go back. I'm getting cheesed off with it all now lol .Then it will be shoes and bag to sort.

Happy Birthday to Richard <3.. I wouls quite like to be 50 again. 40 would be even better :-D. Next week I will be 63 :-S

Gill your BIL has lost so much weight !!. His poor Mum will be so worried now.But she really shouldn't blame herself for him having cancer.

Mel I loved the pics you sent. The Owl looks good next to your Lady withthe earring :-D Poor little Robbie be looks a sorry sight doesn't he :-(

Frank, I will send you a couple of pics from yesterday. I don't know why you didn't get them because I definitely sent them.
Another trip in the flower beds!!!. Your poor neck and shoulder aren't going get better soon with all these tumbles.
I bet Lewis and his friends are having the time of their lives right now :-D :-D. Is this thr first time away on his own? He will be partying all night and sleeping it off all day :-D. You won't know the half LOL. As long as he stays safe that is the main thing.

It is so close this afternoon. Really stuffy. Now it is suddenly getting quite dark so I don't know if there is a bit of rain on the way.

My Nephew Matthew is on his Stag do in Lisbon .Michel his Brother(Williams Dad) has gone so William is staying with Janice and Larry for a few days. James is back down to Jess again tonight for the weekend. This week has flown by.
I will be off to London for the day on Tuesday to meet up with my old friend from Nailsea.I have booked a table for lunch at a place called Rotunda KIngs Cross. I am hoping that we might get a table on the terrace which over looks the Canal there.
Crikey it is as black as yout hat here now !!!! Chris has just grabbed all the washing off the line .Hopefully it is all dry. That has now reminded me I have washing in the machine that has been in all day :-S

Oh I'm so pleased it was nothing to serious Mandy with Colin. Kidney stones can be very painful though. Sandra had them a few years ago and cried the whole time until they passed through her body. The doctor was brilliant as I had to call him out to her, he even called back later that evening after work to check on her, which I thought was a lovely thing to do.

I found some Voltarol cream in the cupboard which has really helped with the pain I have in my wrist and lower arm. Wish I'd known about it earlier, it would of saved me being in pain all day.

Happy Birthday to Fitz for yesterday Jane, he looked very pleased with his present, unlike Thomas who didn't look sure at all......bless him ;-) Sorry to hear your fingers are still playing you up. I can see how it is getting you down now. Hope they heal soon.

Yes my BIL has lost a lot of weight, he's always been a very big man, around 23 stones, so it's strange to see him around 14 stones now. OH's older brother is a large man too, unlike OH who has always been around the 12 stone mark.

Mum is much better now Frank, we're going to paint her fences when the weather improves, I've heard it's going to be warmer and drier next week, so we'll be able to finish her garden off for her then.

Pleased to hear you're feeling better now Anne, let's hope it doesn't go to hot again. It sounds like you're like me and can't take to much heat. Sandra's the same she suffers from headaches if she gets to hot. At least you can get a better nights sleep now it's cooler.

Poor Robbie Mel, pleased to hear he's okay after his near miss with the Sparrow Hawk.

Wrist is starting to throb again so I'd better go and rest it.

Evening All,

No beading class today as the teacher was unwell. Next year's courses have just come out and the early bird discount has dropped from 20% off in the past to just 10% off this year and the prices have been hiked up! It will be due to council cuts, but if they aren't careful, they will get even less money in from the classes as many will drop out as me and few of the others are thinking of doing! We haven't learned anything new this year, just different patterns to make. :-S

Poor Little Ruby with a sore mouth! Do they have stuff you can rub their gums with Anne like we can have bonjela? 'Happy Birthday to Richard! Like the others have said it would be nice to be aged 50 again, except I would be working full time and looking after a bigger house and much bigger garden mostly on my own!!

Your BIL has lost a lot of weight Gill. I remember MIL lost a lot of weight too. Your poor mum blaming herself, which she really shouldn't. She needs to make the most of the time and not be fretting which won't do her any good. I hope your arm is better soon.

Jane I hate buying outfits for an 'OCCASION' nowadays and it's all because I know they would fit better if I was smaller. It's a good idea to get 2 sizes though as it takes too long to wait for a replacement to arrive etc. Sizes vary so much. I bought 2 different tops in Sainsbury's today, nice thin ones in a similar material, both in the same size. When I got them home and laid one on top of the other on the bed, one was a size bigger than the other!!

Frank, did you tell Ros what you did while she was out?? I hope you haven't made your neck worse. As you say it's best not to risk doing some things when you are on your own. Young Lewis is all grown up now and no doubt attracting the ladies with his good looks! He will no doubt be enjoying himself with his pals but he does sound sensible and will hopefully be careful.

That's good you got your Owl in place Mel and I was surprised how big the daisy was! :-0 What a shame your strawberries are being spoiled by the rain. We could do with some more here as it's been dry for 3 days. Like Jane says, it was quite muggy this afternoon as I put my shorts on when we got back from the supermarket, but had to change again tonight as it suddenly went colder. I will have a look at that programme as I haven't seen it.