General Chat

So good to see Gill back on board now and we can sail along again with a full company. I wonder if Anne has had a nice holiday? Is she back this week or next? The weeks go so quickly lately I don't know where I am.

Gill it snice to know that your MIL's daughter is there to make susre she is ok. It is a really bad time with both her boys ill at the same time. I hope the cemo goes well for your BIL and the infection clears up for the other.

You are a rotten lot chivvying Liz up about her dinner. You naughty lot. You know what she meant.............smacked botties all round.

Bet Frank has had a good time meeting all the people down at the festival. He will be tired out tonight.

I have been down the church all afternoon doing the flowers. There's a big wedding at the big house and they were playing music in the garden which was very nice. Sort of Bulgarian or Hungarian. Lots of people came through the churchyard while I was doing them and one lady said to the three children with her "I'll show you where I carved my name in this tree" The tree she was talking about was a huge beech in the churchyard. After a while she spoke to me and told me she was at school there. It was a school years ago.

Ann it sounds like you may be able to put lots of MIL's stuff in that new auction place. A bit more money for the kitty and clear the garage at the same time. It will be good to get rid of some of those new sauspans.

I had better corn the girls as they will think I have sorgotten them. Iv'e had a nice cuppa and bit of cake with oh out in the workshop and a good sit down so am off now.

O I hope our Thomas is ok. Maybe it is just the weather getting him down a bit. Don't forget he is black and may be feeling the heat a bit. Hope he is ok.

It's gone a bit cloudy here too Jane, I'm still hoping it's clearer later. Almost every time I'd like to watch something in the sky it's cloudy, so it would be nice to be able to see something tonight. Hope you manage to see it. It said online that it's the brightest shower since records began so hopefully we'll all see something....fingers crossed.

Pleased to hear Thomas is back. It is worrying though, as like Ann said it's unusual for him to be off his food and not drinking either isn't good. How old is he now, do you know?

Yes, it is good to be home Ann, it'll be nice for us all to sleep in our own beds tonight.

We're just watching "Who Do You Think You Are" with Emma Willis, it's very interesting. I've had it on the planner for a while, plus the last one, so we're trying to catch up with them all now before Sandra's programme comes on at 9pm..

Just noticed the posts on this page. Sorry to hear your sunflower has blown down Liz, 12 foot is very tall, at least you still have the 10 foot one. Is there a way you could stake it to stop it being blown down like the last one, it would be such a shame to lose them both.

OH's eldest brother is on tablet antibiotics Mel, so can still work. He must have a very good pain threshold as there are two large kidney stones still in one kidney, they are stuck to the kidney so he will need another operation lasting 6 hours to remove them, which they won't do unless it really bothers him. We'll just have to wait and see how he gets on and weather he'll go for the second operation or not.

Well, I'd better get back to my programme before I lose track of what is going on.

Oh the poor chap Gill still having 2 stones left. Lets hope he doesn't need another operation.

Mel I really thought Liz meant fish and was impressing us with her french!! lol That's why I asked what kind she was having. I was thinking I hadn't tried runners with fish before. :-) The saucepans were OH's first comment about the auction!! lol. It would be nice to have some space back in the garage. I can just about get to the freezer at the moment.

What a shame your sunflower blew down Liz. Our shrub that blew down is staked and cut back, but they don't seem to go back exactly as before and we still need to have another go at tying it up properly. I hope the other one stays ok. It's a good height they have reached, but a shame not to see how high it would have reached.

No Ann, it was a spelling mistake! I wouldn't dream of practising my french on you all it would make me sound a bit snooty, to say the least!!!
Gill we shall leave the other sunflower to its own devices. Next year we will stake them properly and hopefully they'll survive the high winds we seem to get here.
The Combine is going hammer and tongs over the road! I expect its because it's forecast to rain on Monday.
Hope you (and everyone) sleep well Gill, in your own bed! :-)

Just seen a bit of the meteor shower, I was surprised we saw anything as it's still quite a light sky. We're going to switch the lights off in the living room as it's shining quite brightly and then sit outside for a while to see if we can see some more. I'm so pleased the clouds have gone as normally it's very cloudy when we want to watch something and we end up missing it.

Good idea to stake them up before they grow to big next year Liz, hopefully none of them will blow down then.

Signing out now, I'm going to mum's tomorrow to weed her garden and catch up with her so I might not be online in the morning, I'll try and get back on here in the afternoon. I've got to find a photo booth on Monday as I received a letter letting me know my driving licence needs renewing and I need a passport size photo to send to them.

See you all tomorrow
Night Night

Morning all,

We have some sunshine this morning but big clouds also.

I went outside and looked and looked for the meteor shower as it was a clear night here. At 5 past one I looked again and this time I was looking northish and I saw two within a short space of time to each other. I waited quite a while but saw no more so I came in. At least I saw two.

Good morning Girls JUST, evening Kim,

I knew what you meant Liz !! I hope you enjoyed them.

U didn't know about the meteor shower, not that I would have seen it, I was in bed by 10.00 pm. I sat and watched Mo come second in his race, and decided to turn in.

During the night I must have bitten my mouth or tongue as there was blood all over the pillow slip this morning and had gone to the underneath one as well. They are in soak in salt water.

We walked down to Blisworth house to look at the stalls, that was disappointing as there were only about 6 stalls, so Ros decided we should cross the road and look on the canal. It was packed with people with DOGS not one dog but some had two or three. You just couldn't get passed them, so we decided to come home. Not before time as Ros was getting to the state where she could hardly walk. I did see various people down the Festival and had a good chat.

Glad to see you back Gill, and hope all the family are coping with their ailments. Not nice for you or them. Take care not to over do thinks.

Poor old Thomas, he isn't eaten something that may have poisoned him ?? I think if he's no better tomorrow the vets will be the best thing.

When Ros came back from Martine's yesterday, she went straight down the"allotment stall" at the canal. She came back with beautiful Runner at least 18 inches long, carrots, new potatoes and Rhubarb. I have prepared the veg for steaming this evening with Cauliflower and CHEESE SAUCE (for Jane !!!) The pudding is ode nd sitting in the fridge.

Conrad and Jan phoned this morning and made me very jealous, they are taking Jo and Ella to the "WINKING PRAWN" for lunch today. My favourite place when e go down to see them.

Madam is in the garden catching up on weeding and things, while I will be sitting reading the papers and my book. Dinner will be around five this afternoon.

Have a nice afternoon all, and hope the weather stays dry.

Afternoon All

I have just got an appointment at 3 .30 for Thomas. He is no better :-(.. I have even been and bought a bit of Hake and cooked it for him but he is not interested . He really isn't right at all.
So I need ot go and get the Cat Basket out and ready and make sure the back door is shut so he doesn't do a disappearing act. I am getting the colly wobbles now .It is just horrible not knowing what is wrong with him.

I will be back later.

I hope the vet can tell what the problem is and be able to treat him. Its such a worry when pets are not their ususal self and they can't tell you whats wrong. Maybe its jsut a fur ball or something treatable quickly for him.

Let us know when you get back please as I am sure we are all thinking of him and you. sending love. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

We have had our big breakfast and I am so full now and not ready to go out in the garden just yet. Its very hot here now.

Glad you had a good walk around yesterday and its a shame Ros suffered with her back. It sounds like the beans she bought were the same flavour as mine which is Benchmaster and I would recommend them to all of you as the beans literally are over a foot long. I don't let mine get too big as they get a bit stringy then and I like them when they are smaller and more succulent.

Afternoon all

Just got back from weeding my mum's garden, it looks much better now.

OH rang his mum only to be told his youngest brother, the one with Cancer is in hospital, he went in yesterday. Apparently he is dehydrated so he's on a drip, we are hoping if he's still in tomorrow they will sort out some way of getting him from Chester hospital to Clatterbridge for his Chemo, no doubt we'll find out tomorrow.

Now we're back from mum's we're making a start on our garden while the weather is nice. We had decided to put the screening up in the end and had already done the framework before we went to stay with MIL so now we're putting up the plastic so I can then put the screening over the top.

Sorry to hear about Thomas Jane, I hope it's nothing to serious.

It sounds like everyone had the same idea as you Frank with their walks along the river. Pity there were only 6 stalls at Blisworth House, that must of been disappointing.

I didn't think much of the meteor shower last night, I only saw three. It was a bit cold so I came in for my coat and OH said he saw about 14 when I was inside......timed that wrong didn't I? :-) :-)

Well, I'd better get back to my garden OH is having a go at the plastic it's 6 meters long so is going to take a while to screw onto the frame, we then have another one to do after that if it's not to late.

Why don't you put drawing pins in to hold it up so you can screw it.

Well, I am home minus Thomas.He has been admitted to have fluids and a full blood count done. Poor old boy. He has a temperature and the lymph nodes are up in his neck and abdomen.So it looks like it could be an infection. I was so lucky to have got the last appointment as they shut at 4 and then after that it is £180 if you need to see the Vet. So I have paid nothing today. I just need to get an Insurance form sent now.
The Vet was a delightful young lady called Deborah .I don't know which country she comes from but maybe one of the Eastern European ones.
She will ring me later when she has the blood results .
I thought it was a good opportunity to get all his bedding in the wash ,so that is in now.

Frank I am surprised there were only 6 stalls at the festival. I thought it was a big affair.
So everyone and their dogs were there (not everyone and their mother as the saying goes).At least it was good weather for you .

Gill, I wonder if OH's Brother is dehyrated from not being well after his last lot of Chemo.(if was being sick a lot). I am sure transport will be arranged for him to get to the other hospital for his next lot of Chemo.That is not something that can be put off is it.How many lots of Chemo is it he has to have?

Have we heard from Anne ? She must be back from her holiday now(or was it for 2 weeks)


I feel all of a hooha now after leaving my boy. So I have just poured myself a nice glass of chilled wine :-D

Hannah has managed to get her legs really sunburnt :-S :-S. Silly girl. The last time that happened was when we were in Portugal and it was really bad .
But she has sent a few more nice pics(including one of her legs covered in some wet clothing lol)

James,Jess and Benjy are out ,but I expect will be back soon as Jess is going home this evening. No cooking for them as James's friend Luke has done a lunch .
I haven't even thought about dinner yet for Chris and me. I have a couple of Chicken Breasts coated in Eastern Spices (or something) so will probably have them with Sauté Potatoes ,RUNNERS :-D, and other various veg.

Poor Thomas Jane, I hope the blood test only show an infection that can soon be sorted with antibiotics. You poor thing you must be worried sick. Did the vet say what time she will ring you? I don't blame you for having a little drink, I think you need one after the day you've had. I'm thinking of you and Thomas and hoping for the best <3

Yes, I think you might be right about OH's brother, he was pretty bad with sickness after his last bout of Chemo, so that's probably why he's dehydrated, the drip should soon sort it out for him. Sorry to hear about Hannah and her poor legs, hope they're not to painful for her.

We had some of our home grown potatoes today and boy were they nice, much better than the shop bought ones. I shall be planting more next year. Unfortunately I can't remember which variety I bought, silly me LOL.

Well, I'd better get back to the garden, almost there now, so hopefully it'll be done and dusted before it goes dark.

I'm glad you got the last appointment Jane. Do let us know as soon as you hear the results of the blood test. You won't know where you are tonight if he has to stay in. You will be out calling for him so you can go to bed.

I have been having a clear up around the back steps and bird table. I have cut off all the dead flowers on the alchemilla mollis and cut some of the box hedge back around the bird table now I need to have a sweep up but I was so dry I came in for a cuppa and a peice of cake. Dah dah dah dah dah dadalah. No not a cold cup of coffee and......

Its been a really lovely day here and we've spent the whole time outside. OH did a lot of weed killing, while I've done some gardening and cooked lunch!! Did a load of washing which dried beautifully, as tomorrow doesn't look too good. Other than that we've sat on the veranda in the sun snoozing or watching the harvesting going on in the distance!
OH has taken Cas into the field for a training session!!! Merlin takes absolutely no notice of them, but carries on munching!!
Hope the news for Thomas is ok Jane, animals can be such a worry.
Gill, you'll exhaust yourself with all this gardening, do take care.

Evening all,

Poor old Thomas ,you did the right thing in getting him seen today Jane you couldn't have left him until tomorrow ,if it's an infection the quicker he's treated the better ,the blood test will tell , you don't know what he's picking up from all these mice and rabbits .

It's been a nice warm day here ,we've been cleaning the pool out again ,the children thought they would go in this morning ,they didn't stay in long it was to cold !!!!

Had a call this morning from our dear friends daughter to say she passed away early his morning ,when her daughter rang the other day she said that they had upped her pain killer and she was sleeping a lot more so we din't think it would be long before we heard she had gone bless her .

Something wrong with Thomas's Potassium levels,which can affect the kidneys and heart !. No mention of infection. So he became a very vicious puss apparently when it came to taking blood :-S. Think he might have had to be sedated . He is on a drip now to get fluids in which will hopefully get his potassium levels back to normal .Bloods checked again in the morning. She did mention something I didn't want to hear and that is Addisons disease.But she said it wasn't top of her list of worries. So it is waiting now until the next bloods are done tomorrow and i will get another call.I feel a wreck LOL. But nothing I can do ,other than get dinner :-D Chris is starving. So am I :-D :-D

I know how you feel Jane, my mum's potassium levels are high, it's quite worrying isn't it? At least you know what's what now. I assume he'll stay at the vets over night. Try not to worry and try to get a good nights sleep.....I know, easier said than done, but it will do you the world of good if you can. I'm thinking of you both <3

Sorry to hear about your friend Mandy, my thoughts are with you and your friends family at this sad time.

It sounds like most of us have been busy in the garden today. The plastic is done, well, I say plastic, it's a weed suppressant membrane that you put under soil, we thought we'd use that so the wood could breath while at the same time it would prevent the screening from being see through. OH has also cut the lawns as they badly needed doing with us being away and like you said Liz the weather doesn't look to good tomorrow. I'm hoping it does rain and quite a lot as I still haven't had time to water all my pot plants yet with having so many and being busy with the screening. They don't look to bad so another day or so won't harm them especially with the rain forecast for tomorrow, as that should help.

I'm running a bath so I'd better go and check on it.

Iv'e got two hogs very interested in each other but she is keeping her face to him at the moment and he is creeping around her very slowly. There is no pushing and shoving going on and neither one of them has run away.