General Chat

Evening all,

Started raining here late afternoon and it doesn't feel muggy like they said it would i just let Max out and it felt quite chilly with the wind.

<3 Happy Anniversary Mel <3

I have had a grippy tummy since i had my tea ,i think it's the tomatoes :-S

Oh blimey Jane all those steps , poor Gareth was loaded up !!

Oh goodness Frank you could have had a nasty burn with the oil , glad to hear Ros got on ok .

Oh better GO :-0

Happy 20th Anniversary Mel <3 <3 <3 .

We are away for a week Jane, Paul stayed near to Dubrovnik a couple of weeks ago when he went to Croatia and he said it was a truly fabulous city.

Oh Frank what a disaster with the chip pan as well as the mess to clear up it could have been so much worse. I haven't used a chip pan for years but then it was an electric one, it's oven chips for us now. Pleased to hear Ros is ok and hope it does the trick for her.

Just popping in before I turn in, I feel totally drained after tonights event. We are doing away with the present extractor and buying a new one. It's been in there for near on 15 years, so doesn't owe us anything.

As for frying chips, that's now a complete NO NO. Either it will be oven chips or buying a modern chip fryer. We don't have them often, but they do make a nice change from Mash, Roasts or Jacket. But it wasn't the Chip Pans fault anyway. !!!

Enjoy your holiday Anne, I am sure you we enjoy it if the weather improves.

Harvey has got our new conservatory door made, and will bring it up on Sunday, and fit it. He wants to get a couple of coats of preservative on it before the weekend.

Lewis is enjoying his holiday in France. He's nigh clubbing with friends till early mornings and sleeping the day away. Typical teenager, so I am told. He's only young once. Good luck to him. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Frank I'm glad you're getting a modern chip fryer! We don't have chips very often ,but it's best to be safe!!!
Well we're in bed watching a programme about The Gunpowder Plot recorded from one of the history channels. It's very good with old letters and documents, the ultimate terrorist plot - heaven only knows what the turn of history would have been if the plotters had succeeded! OH is back from scrubbing his teeth, so back to the telly.

Oh would'nt let me have a chip pan not even an electric one. He said he has seen too many house fires with those as the cause. We only do oven chips and you can't really tell and difference. I like the sweet potato ones but oh dos'nt. I have found at the moment that Morrisons Chunky Chips are the best. I have had chunky chips in other makes and get a lot of little bits in them. You can see through the Morrisons bags so know what you are buying.

Happy holiday Anne. The look of the place looks nice and clean and they seem to cater for everything you could wish for.

I am so pleased Ros had the ring fitted ok. I m sure she will feel a bit sore for a day or two please give her my regards and tell her we were all thinking of her today.

I see what you meant about "pack horse" Jane but it all looks nice and clean. Just look at all those heat exchangers on the buildings. They will have a smashing time there I think.

Can't agree over the oven chips Mel, I find that they tend to be dry even if you coat them with oil, and need turning which is a pain!. I agree the pans on the stove are dangerous, but the modern electric chip pans are very safe, as they have to get through stringent trading standards etc, and the chips imo are much nicer. But each to his own
Another dull day, Waitrose this morning (our big outing!!) then? who knows!!

Morning Liz and all,

As you say Liz each to his own but I don't mind turning them and don't like greasy chips in fact I am not a chip person really. If I have them it is only three or four. again I

Dull old day here grey skies and a bit of a wind. Looks to me as though we have had our summer this is more like autumn.

Now what have I got to do today???? Decisions decisions.........

Morning ladies and Gents, Evening Kim,

Thanks Mel, Ros says she knows it's there but will get use to it. Better than the operation.

Horrible day here also. Rain and wind, so I won't have any decisions to make. I won't be doing anything apart from cooking dinner.

We have tried oven chips in the passed, but I can take them or leave them. As you say each to their own. As a child there was a "CHIP PAN" full of LARD. That when not in use was stored in the pantry. The lard went as hard as rock sitting on the marble shelf with the lid on. How times have changed. Does anyone still make Bread pudding. Mum use to make wonderful B P Hot with custard or cold like a cake, Makes my mouth water to think of it. Also PLUM DUFF (suet pudding).

Ros is at "Stitchery Do" today. She has taken Pam's jacket with her to do the alteration to the sleeves. Margaret one of the women, who is very experience stitcher will be on hand if she needs help.

Ros has suggested we take Harvey out to lunch on Sunday, it will save me cooking. She said ask Simon and Sally as well. I rang Simon but they are busy with Sally's Grand daughters 2nd Birthday Party (BBQ) if the weather is fine !!! So must tell Harvey to bring some cloths with him. He's normally in shorts and Tee shirts.

I think you are right Mel, We have seen our summer !!!!

I've had my shower and shave, so will settle down with my books.

Iv'e fed all the chickens and given them greens and brown bread to the bantams as they love that and they have the end of a lettuce too to keep them quiet. The big girls had cabbage and both lots had their pellets and fresh water so thats out of the way.

I put oh's sleeveless on the line and it promtley started raining so the rest went in the dryer.

Just shoving some blueberry wheats down my neck and taking my pills.

I have a little ironing to do so I shall get that out of the way and then I suppose it will be time for lunch.

Must get something out of the freezer for dinner too.

Where are you all?

Just received excellent news. Our elder granddaughter has just ( 2 hours ago) passed, first time, her driving test at age 17 yrs 5 months! We both feel delighted for her, best news we've had for ages! The whole family are coming over on Saturday before they leave for France first thing Sunday morning for two weeks. She's also passed two mock A'levels geography and french conversation, so she's in everyone's good books!
Just about to walk Cas!

Hello :-D I'm here now Mel
What a windy day !!!!!!!!!!!!. It is really gusty ,pots going over and doors banging.

Your hens had a good feed today Mel. Quite a feast :-)

Frank,I am glad Ros is ok today and isn't feeling too uncomfortable .Hopefully soon she won'y know it is there. That will be nice to have a lunch out with Harvey on Sunday,but a pity Simon and Sally can't be there.Has Harvey met Simon?

Talking of chips. I did have a proper old chip pan when we were first married up until just after hannah was born. I was never really happy using it though so when Oven chips arrived in the shops I switched to them. I have just discovered the BEST EVER oven chips.. They are McCains GASTRO chips. They are tripple cooked (I think) and do have a lot of fat ,so are not the healthiest but boy are they good. They are proper chips and lovely and soft on the inside .Perfect :-D. Give them a go.
I have discovere d a new Dolmio thing .It is a pouch of thick sauce for TRay baked Chicken.I got the Herb and Garlic. I just cut up a yellow and Orange Pepper, a Red onion and some mushrooms ,put them in the baking dish and sat the Chicken Breasts on top then coated everything with this stuff. I am guessing as it heats up in the oven the sauce will get thinner and coat everything. So I have it all ready to just pop in the oven . I am doing little parcels of veg in the steamer.Green Beans,Asparagus and Sugarsnaps with some pesto and a little squeeze of Lime juice.(haven't done this one before). Then it will be rice to go with it all .James is going ot see Johnny's Mum after work so he won't be home too early.

Hannah said it was 34 degs by 11am this morning. They were having a bit of lunch down by the port and then going t otry and find a beach that is not as busy as the one they were on yesterday. She said it was too touristy. At least they have the hire car so can just have a drive along the coast a bit .

How are the family coping wth the heat on Kos Frank? That is ridiculous temperatures there. I feel hot here today and it must only be about 20 LOL

My refund for the dresses has gone into our account :-D. Chris is happy now .

I have felt a little bit odd today. Not ill or anything but just a bit flat and achy joints. It could very well be these new tablets. I just don't know.There are so many kind of side effects. The Consultant did say to me if I was struggling just to take them every other day for a bit. I might think about doing that but don't want to.

Did anyone watch the 4 year olds in the Retirement home? I got quite emotional when they had t osay goodbye to each other. What a brilliant thing to try out. It should be done in all Homes for the Elderly (although on smaller scale). The difference in the residents after the 6 weeks was amazing . :-D :-D. As usual the idea has come from America . I really don't understand why we couldn't have thought of something like that here .

My Sister is on the phone. BBL

Evening all,

So the chickens are all fed and watered Mel. I must admit sometimes I miss mine and spending time with them.

What good news Liz, I bet you are over the moon. What little prize have you got in mind for her (A CAR) LOL LOL I was pleased that Lewis passed first time at a similar age, and asked how much were we prepared to pay towards his car. :-| :-| :-|He's 19 next month so has been driving nearly two year's.

That Dolmio sauce sounds just right for me, I will ask Ros to look out for it. I also have been feeling very hot today I have kept opening and closing windows. That wind has been stung today. Pots all over the patio. I had to go and get some carrots from the garden this afternoon. I was very careful not to loose my footing on the garden.

I have booked the table for 3.30 pm Sunday. So must let Harvey know, and for him to bring up shity and trousers, or he will turn up in shorts and T shirt.

We had a Sheep @@@@ pie tonight with various steamed Veg.

Roa said the discomfort is like having a heavy period. Not that I know anything about that !!!!

Congratulations to your Grandaughter Liz on passing her Exams and Driving test(first time) :-D :-D She wil be able to use her French now when they go to France. More practice more perfect :-D :-D.. Well done :-D :-D. To pass her driving test is brilliant . I was a first timer . A little older than she is .It was one ot he best things I did. I always think the younger the better as you have far more confidence when young .
I couldn't do half the things I did in my teens or early twenties .There was no fear then.
The same with travel. I would advise anyone young who wants to travel to do it when they are young. Seeing different parts of the world is just the best experience :-D

Gawd Thomas has just disappeared in the hedge with a Rabbit nearly as big as him :-S :-S. I don't think I need put any food down for him tonight !

The wind is still a bit mad here.But blue sky.

Thanks Jane we do feel very chuffed for her! I was a first timer too but I was 20 quite old !!! My mother was a first timer too when she took her test in 1949!!
You're so right about travelling,when you're young, footloose and fancy free. I can remember doing things when we were first married with M as a baby that I wouldn't contemplate doing now - some rather/very (!!) foolish! my mother would have had a fit!!! When P leaves the V1th form, she plans to take a year coaching gymnastics, which she's doing on and off for a while now, getting out and about and having a good think about what she wants to do. She's keen to join the Police Force, but who knows. She doesn't want to go to University, but wants to go where she can learn on the job. We'll see! Forgot to say, we've got Stella for two weeks!!!
Hope the weather's better tomorrow!!

Congratulations to your granddaughter Liz, she has done well, you and her parents must be very proud of her. One of Peter's brothers was in the police force and started as a cadet because of this he was able to retire early and when he left he joined the NHS fraud department.

I have been busy all day getting ready for tomorrow we hope to leave early so don't want to leave it to the morning. Abbie isn't in my best books as she has decided today she doesn't want to come so we could have booked a much smaller house Paul has cancelled the hire car which cost us £100.00 to do, Becky is upset with her too

Colin contacted me today he wants to stay on the Friday we get back for a couple of days, he is lecturing in Hertfordshire so would be easier for him to visit , I have a Sainsbury shop being delivered on the evening we get back so have updated my red wine order
:-D :-D :-D

Hi all

Just a quickie to let you know we are staying at my MIL's at the moment, we've just come home to check the post, we'll be going back there in a mo. I thought I'd let you all know so you didn't worry, she's just feeling a bit down at the moment so we're keeping her company and helping with all the odd jobs that need doing. Not sure how long we'll be staying with her. Will be back as soon as I can.

Hi Gill

I'm sure your MIL will be so pleased you are there to keep her company for a while to help her during this sad time for her.

I see congrats are in order for that clever girl who passed her driving test first time and passed two mock A levels. She will be jabbering away to all the french people now.

Actually got the washing dryish today. It is good enough for ironing.

Pottered in the shed this afternoon late. potted up a load of plants I took out the border and had to get all the couch grass out of.

Do have a lovely holiday Anne. Shame Abbie decided not to come and I bet Becky was cross. Silly girl giving up a chance like that.

Good to know you are all alright Gill and we had guessed you would be with the family doing your bit to help and give support.

Now whats our Ann been up to today?????

Have a wonderful holiday Anne. Is it that Abbie doesn't want to be away from the Boyfriend for so long?? Not good though that she has left it to the last minute to say she isn't coming.
It will be nice for you to see Colin on your return. Hope the Red wine is delivered in time LOL

I have just been running around the patio like something demented as Thomas was 'playing' with a Mouse or some small creature. I did manage to grab Thomas and he dropped it .So I hope it escaped without injury. Normally I would have let him carry on ,but I want to go to bed and if I had left him he might have been off again.
He has carried on here full of beans but has at last finally settled down. He was so hyper !. I am definitely not hyper and having trouble staying awake now.
Look forward hearing about your holiday Anne when you get home again.

Gill I think your MIL will be really grateful with you staying with her at the moment.It must be a very difficult time for her right now. It is good you live nearby.Are you all staying there?

Off to bed now :-) Night Night x