General Chat

Got on quit well up the border and have joined up two lots of it that I have dug over so I am getting there. Its so nice to see the plants you have put in growoing instead of being eaten by the rabbits. I lost heart with it last year so this year it is harder work to get it into shape again.

Poor Pudsey, I bet the girl is soooooo upset and I do feel for her as its bad enough losing a pet let alone one you have trained to do all the things he did. I think he made her a lot of money over the years though. She must be devastated, poor thing. <3

I have picked a good small punnet of blueberries and 5 plums off the little old tree on the south facing wall. Something has been sampling them as there were at least two eaten to the stone still on the tree.

Here's a bit on that plant Gill.

Bluebell Creeper is considered a weed in Australia!! Not so in the UK where we enjoy its delicate beauty. Sollya heterophylla is easy to grow, preferring a sheltered corner, where it'll give 2 metres worth of evergreen display, cloaked in little blue bell flowers through the summer. It is half hardy so has to be in a sheltered postion.

Sounds like you have had a productive day today Mel :-D
I have just googled the Bluebell Creeper and it looks a really pretty flower :-D.

Thanks Mel, I was just about to Google it. Now all I have to do is find a sheltered spot to put it once it's grown a bit bigger as it's only about 3 inches tall at the moment and sitting on my window sill. I popped all three of them in larger pots as they came in really tiny ones so I didn't think they would grow much in them.

Mum showed me a picture of them in the book she ordered them from and they do look very pretty Jane. Being a climber I'm not sure where to put it in my garden yet, as mum said I could have one. I'll have to pop something in the pot for it to grow up I think :-) Apparently they have berries on them in the winter months before the flowers come again in the summer, so a bit of interest through most of the year.

It's brightened up again now with some nice warm sunshine, at least the downpour we had earlier means I don't have to water the garden as it was quite heavy and lasted a good 15 minutes. It'll do the grass some good too and also the plants I've just put in pots which I took out of the front garden, although I did water them, but a bit more water wouldn't do them any harm as we have good drainage in the pots, thanks to OH . :-) :-)

Party going on next door(in the rain) Out door BBQ.But they have a huge covered area . They are getting louder now and lots of loud music. I am loving the music and have been having a little bop LOL. But I think I might go and sleep in Hannah's bed tonight so I can listen to 'I know who you are' on my laptop in peace .Chris will just shut the bedroom windows in our room and not hear a thing .
Thomas will no doubt be on the range soon and miffed about the rain (he won't be going out ). So I might just take him upstairs with me :-D. Even though he will be parading around the bed at some ungodly hour trying to wake me up.I just love having him sleeping on the bed (Chris would be kicking him off)

Morning all

It's just been pouring with rain, the water going down the drain was like a white water rapid. At least I won't have to water my pots this morning. It was money well spent having the large flag stones re-laid last year, the rain drained away almost straight away, apart from two which have concrete in between, so I'll take the concrete out then the whole patio will drain beautifully :-)

Because of the weather I won't be going in the garden today, so nothing much planned. I'm just about to watch Gardeners world and Beechgrove garden I recorded, then I might take a look at my family tree. It'll be nice to relax for a change.

I hope the party didn't go on to long last night Jane, fancy having a BBQ in the rain, at least it was under cover and by the sounds of it everyone was having a good time. I did smile when you said you were having a little bop :-D :-D

Did Thomas settle okay? I used to like our middle cat Jez sleeping with us. I remember if it was really cold and I couldn't find her during the day, I would go and take a look at my bed and there in the middle was a bump where she had got between the quilt and the top cover, it was a quilted top cover so she was nice and warm. I do miss her, she was such a character.

Morning all,

We have sunshine at the moment and it looks like it might be a nice day with the odd shower. Not sure if I will go up the border as my hands ache this morning after yesterdays stint.

Oh has Alexa playing My little car went beep beep beep.

I forgot to tell you this. I was watching Gardeners World on Friday night and Monty was talking to the man who had 8 acres of garden. Whilst they were sitting talking Alexa came on and said "Hmm, I don't know that one". It made me laugh. So your never alone with Alexa. They must have said something like her name.

Morning "raindrops" evening Kim,

Yes I did go to the pub yesterday lunchtime. Soon after arriving down came the rain. When I was ready to go home I rang Ros. NO REPLY, this happened FOUT times. I had the pubs phone on the bar, when it suddenly rang, I picked it up and said "ROYAL OAK" it was Ros but she didn't know who I was. !!! Anyway we came home and had a quiet afternoon.

Ros had decided she didn't want a takeaway, yesterday morning for last night, as she was going to have a Salmon Salad. I told her to bring me a FISH PIE. Wrong move on my part. It gave me such bad indigestion . I was on the Galveston three times before bed.

My right cheek has a beautiful bruise on it. The nurse really got the needle into the mussel, I am walking around like a Pregnant DUCK !!!

It was raining again this morning when I let JJ out. I have an old fleece in the conservatory which I use to rub him down with. He thens runs like mad up the lounge and rolls around on the carpet.

No Jane there were no surprises with anything Lewis got up to on his holiday, other that he had a great time and would be going back sometime. He's off to France tomorrow morning early. So Harvey will drop them off at Luton and carry onto work.

Mel, I watched Monty on Friday, but don't remember that comment. What a beautiful garden that man had. Fancy trying to keep on top of that.

My Sister Son and Family are suppose to be going to KOS on the 1st August. I have suggested he contacts the Travel Agent, and try's to get a booking somewhere else. By reading the paper it's absolute Crazy out there at the moment. Some people are being charged DOUBLE AIR FARE to get home. Two dead and over 500 injured. Not the place I would want to be going to.

Bit of blue sky and white clouds here now, so it might brighten up.

I see I am talking to myself again.

We have just had dinner, and I have blasted an Email off to Tesco regarding the Quality of their beef joint. It was inedible. I have cooked for over 60 years, and this piece of meat is in the TOP FIVE for Terrible quality. It cut alright because I keep my carving knifes sharp. When you came to cut it on your plate it was neigh impossible. I put one small piece in my mouth, but was unable to chew it.

Ros is packing it into a bag, and will be returning it together with the label tomorrow. I think I could become a vegetarian without to much trouble, if I had to live on meat like that.

To say the least I am not a "HAPPY BUNNY"

First sign of madness Frank :-D :-D :-D.. I'm here now.
I think we all talk to ourselves .I know I do all the time. Chris is always saying"what did you say" thinking I am talking to him
:-)

You better get a refund and a voucher for that Beef Frank. They have always been good at our Tesco if I have taken any food stuff back. What a disappointment though when you were so looking forward to it. I always get a really big joint of Beef and then after I cook it I freeze the rest in Gravy. I just think a small joint can sometimes be a waste of money as they can be a bit tough and dry.

Gill, I didn't here a peep from the party when I went to bed in the front bedroom. I think most stayed the night so I didn't hear any cars going either. Thomas slept well until just before 5 and then got all lovey dovey just trying to wake me up so I let him out then.

Have anyone on FB seen the post I shared of my Nephew Michel in TGI when the roof fell in and let all the rain in ?
:-0 :-0. That must have been quite frightening if it happened all of a sudden !!!!

I dug out some Poussins from the freezer that I bought at Xmas. 2 stuffed with Mushroom and Pancetta and 2 with Cognac and Orange. Never had Poussin before so I am wondering what they will be like. I have a feeling we might not really enjoy them.
I better check on them .

Sorry to hear you've had problems with the meat from Tesco's Frank, hope you get a reply to the email. Have you had meat from there before and was it okay? I've bought meat from there and never had any complaints, maybe it was a one off for you, let's hope so anyway <3 So you've still got JJ with you, I bet he's such good company. I wouldn't go to Kos if I was your family by what you have just told us, have they decided to go somewhere else instead?

It brightened up here for a while but now it looks like rain again. We had a few spots a minute or two ago but not as bad as this morning, I've never seen rain like it, it was like a monsoon.

What a shock that would of been Mel, hearing Alexa talking like that when you weren't expecting it. I loved the garden but I bet it takes some looking after.

I've been catching up with all my programmes I've recorded and on one of the adverts it was saying about a new programme starting on Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4 called "CRAFT IT YOURSELF" Apparently it explores the joy of craft and our love of making things, if anyone is interested. I've set it to record so I can watch it again if there's anything interesting on there I'd like to copy :-) :-)

I missed your post there Jane. Pleased to hear you had a good nights sleep....well until Thomas got all lovely dovey :-) At least it was a nice way to be woken up, although I'm sure a bit later in the day would of been better for you.

What a shock that must of been when the roof caved in, I hope no one was hurt.

Hope the Poussins are okay. I had to Google it as I'd never heard of it before, so that's my something new learnt for today ;-) ;-) :-D :-D

The thing is Jane do you know what they are? They are 28 days old chickens.

Oh said I was to come down from the border as it was 6pm. I had got on quite well digging out a lot of twitch and cutting back the dead out of the climbing rose. I put in a new delphinium and some more Cerinthe. I have now joined all my little dug places up in the front. The next bit oh is going to dig out with the bucket on the digger as I have a huge bunch of Nerines that have all weed and twitch in and have grown right up to a bearded iris which has'nt flowered for about three years. It ll wants sorting so he will lift it and I can sit up there and fiddle with what I want and what I don't to my hearts delight. I think not.

Is'nt it disappointing when you cut into meat you have stood over cooking for a hour or so and its so tough you can't get your teeth through it? I only ever buy topside of beef as I have found in the past that Silverside always seem a bit on the tough side. Or maybe a rib if I am feeling its worth the price. Oh would eat it just seered in a pan but I don't really like a lot of blood coming out of it.

Number 7 of Poldark tonight so only two more to go after tonights. Why does it go so quickly when you are enjoying something?

Evening all,

I'm here too :-D they do say the first sign of madness is white spots on the hands ....second sign is looking for them :-D :-D

Frank son had a dodgy bit of beef from Tesco's a few weeks back, he said it was all gristly ,he took a photo of it and sent it to Tesco's never heard a thing from them so he went into the store and they asked if he had the wrapper ,no he said that's in the bin with rubbish all over it, well we carn't do much with out the wrapper !!so he found the receipt and took that in ,they refunded him his money back but it took some getting .
I have to say i haven't had any bad meat from Tesco ,like Jane i buy the big joints and cut them in half .

That was good the music didn't disturb you Jane , it's not so bad if it's a one off ,i wouldn't be happy if it was every week .

No Mel i haven't seen any thing of Nicko ,i do keep looking for him when i walk Max as that's when i use to stop and have a chat with him ,i bet i'll see him now we've mentioned him .

We've had a lazy day , i did a roast chicken yesterday so there was enough for some more today ,just did more roasted veg and sliced the chicken in the gravy that was left over .
I now make some nice gravy ,i roast onions and carrots in with the meat, chicken or Beef , then whizz them with a hand blender in the meat juices with some water until it's all blended together then thicken it with Bisto, lovely ,i didn't use to put the onions and carrots in but it makes a world of difference .

Sounds as if your having fun with Alexa Mel :-D :-D

Gill, I think everyone was ok with that roof and water. I just had another look at my Nephew s FB and he has had getting near 400 people comment /lke.I just wonder if it was a flat roof for it to come down like that.

Mel ,I don't like to think of the Baby Chickens .A bit like Veal. But it is all smelling very nice :-D. The Poussins actually look bigger than I thought they would . Just waiting now for the veg to steam in the steamer.

Alexa sounds a right chatterbox LOL. It must be a bit like having a new member of the family :-D :-D
I remember my Aunty betty having one of those emergency alarms she had to wear around her neck and sometimes she would press it by accident . A voice would then come out of nowhere from the phone point (or somewhere) to check she was ok. It used to scare her half to death LOL

I think dinner is ready .

She has been playing feilds of gold by Sting and a selection of Randi Crawford songs today. She will even tell you how far away the sun is from the earth.

Mandy your gravy sounds yummy. Bit of a faff for me though . I just use the Bisto Real meat juice jars :-D.

None of us thought much of the Poussins.The meat was ok but the stuffing tasteless .
Chris said too many bones as well ! .I agree. So a lot of it ended up in the bin :-(
It had to be the most disappointing meal I have done in a very long time. Hey Ho! I live and learn. The best part of the meal were our own Carrots and Courgettes :-D

Is anyone else having a problem with cobwebs and those spiders that shake in the web when touched? I can't keep up with them . I swept the lounge walls and ceiling 2 days ago and have just seen a massive web again on the ceiling :-S :-S. I am not going to look anymore tonight otherwise I shall be up for hours geting rid . Where do they all come from ???? They just seem to appear like magic. :-S

Have sent you an EM Jane!

Chances are it was a flat roof Jane, I can't see any other type of roof caving in. Pleased to hear no one was hurt, which is the main thing.

I found a cobweb on one of my plants and when I took it away it was like glue and wouldn't come off my hand, OH took it off me then it got stuck to his hand, he ended up rubbing it off on the arm of the bench we were sitting on.
Sorry to hear your meal wasn't very nice, at least you know not to buy it again.

Off to bed now. I seem to have been feeling tired all day for some reason. I wouldn't mind but I haven't done anything. Hope I'm not as tired tomorrow. I'm hoping to watch the last two Poldark's as I've been to busy lately to watch last weeks, so I couldn't watch tonight's when it came on. See you all tomorrow.
Night Night

Evening All,

I have to admit I have only had Poussins to cook once! I found the same as Chris....too many bones and not much meat. :-S

There's nothing worse than chewy meat Frank, so I hope Ros gets her money back! Lucky Lewis, off on another holiday already! lol.

Mandy I love a bit of onion gravy and that sounds a good way to do it and whizz down the carrots too.........2 more of your 5 a day and save the gravy needing much thickening.

Thanks for mentioning the Craft prog Gill......I'll set it to record too. :-) I have wondered about getting a blue bell climber myself as they are evergreen so I will be interested to hear how yours does.

It poured with rain here after I went out with my camera yesterday and was still raining this morning. It's been sunny since mid morning though. I got a nice black leather handbag from the factory shop today for £23. It's just an every day one as my old one has nearly worn through at the corners.

I have to be up early to move my car tomorrow as the lady next door is having the stones scraped off her front garden and weed control fleece put down and fresh chippings. Also some small conifers sawn down between our gardens. We should be seeing the window cleaner too but I won't hold my breath!