General Chat

I didn't know Bruce had died Jane, he'll be sadly missed. 89 was a good age.

So it was a bit of a rush this morning getting Thomas to the vets. It's a good job you have the insurance £305 is a lot of money for treatment and one overnight stay. Did the vet give him a clean bill of health?

I made a spelling error on an earlier post and written dogging the rain instead of dodging. I have corrected it now, but when Mel mentioned it, it made me laugh.

Yes, I've been wondering about the fire in Ann's Close myself.

OH's back from the tip so I'd better make a start on dinner and run him a bath.

Ooh dirty chicken shavings blowing in your face isn't nice Mel. Especially if they all get stuck to you. :-S

Gill I was thinking the opposite to you and thinking we have had better weather LOL.
Maybe I am wrong. But did we not have several weeks of really hot weather back in June. I can't remember one month from the next really.

Did Frank say he was taking his laptop with him to Devon? I hope they have had a good day weatherwise for their first full day.

Why has a T Towel appeared in my washing that we don't recognise. Never seen it in our lives before :-S :-S Where did it come from??? It is a real mystery.

My Sister has booked a couple of weeks holiday next June on a Greek Island .She just booked one week but then threw caution to the wind and changed it to 2 :-D :-D.After all she and Larry do (looking after Grandchildren and Larry with the Nature Reserve ) they will need a couple of weeks just relaxing in the sunshine. It has got me thinking about our next holiday .I think it will definitely be Annecy in France.Not far from Lyon where we were this year. But before that we are going to have a few days in Suffolk at the end of September. (Chris is in charge of sorting that one :-) ) He says 2 nights ...I say 3 :-D I think 3 it will be. :-D :-D

Yes, I think we had better weather here than you had last year Jane, now it looks like you're getting better weather that us. We've had quite a bit of rain lately and because some parts of our garden flood it takes a while for it to dry out, so if we then get more rain our lawn is wet for ages and we can't do any work. I'm hoping it's not going to rain to much tomorrow as I'd like to move some of our large pot plants onto the new border OH made today, but with them being so heavy they'll sink if the ground is to wet.....I'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. Thankfully it hasn't rained for a few hours and the wind has picked up so that'll help dry the ground out.

So you have a mystery T towel, maybe it's one you haven't used for ages and just forgot about, either that or someone fancied putting their washing on your line LOL :-D

Dinner's ready so I'd better go and dish up

Evening All,

No news about the fire. I was out all morning beading and then we were out for lunch and to do some errands so we haven't been around much. Both of the bungalows where the fire seemed to be have had new people move in, one about 15 months ago and the other since last Christmas and we haven't really seen much of them.I had a look on google earth to see what was at the back of them and it just looked like a patio at the one where we thought the trees were crackling. Of course the new people may have put up sheds since they moved in as google earth isn't right up to date. The people in the end bungalow have turned the garage into a room and are in the middle of having a garage built at the side. We thought the fire was at the bungalow next to it, but there may have been materials for the garage at the back of the one next door. I expect we will eventually get to hear from one of the other neighbours.

Yes, my eyes widened at the 'dogging' mistype too!! lol. It's easily done and puts a whole new meaning. lol.

I have to say that I have enjoyed this summer much more with it being cooler and fresher. Even this morning after a cool shower and wearing a thin t shirt and cropped trousers with sandals I set off to my friend's house with the aircon set to 'low' and the fan turned up to MAX all the way there because I was so hot, my face was dripping under my glasses and my back and neck were damp. I even had a glass of cold water rather than a hot drink when I got there. I know my medication could be the reason for some of it........otherwise I must have got stuck in the last hot flush I had!! I think I should move to Scotland really. Whoever said you feel the cold as you get older......I'm still waiting!! lol

My friend's cat is absolutely massive now, like a small dog, and his paws are wider than 3 of my fingers side by side and he has white tufts of fur between his toes. When he is on a chair seat he hangs over the sides, so now uses the sideboard top, which is kept clear for him and he 'dusts' it in return. :-) He has one of those collapsible tunnels to play hide and seek in and kept coming and patting us with a paw to come and play. My friend said to watch him though as his idea of play is a bit rough and includes biting!! He's a year old now. Her other cat she has had a few years will have nothing to do with him and hisses and spits at him.

I am packing away my paints for a while now and will be sorting out what beads I shall need for what I plan to make. I have saved so many patterns and am spoiled for choice really. I finished another necklace today which was good as the unfinished things are getting done now. One of my friends gave us all another patty pan squash and some runners today and the other friend whose house we go to says she has cooking apples for us next time and there will be pears soon. :-)

Yes, I seem to remember Boughton House had nice gardens and some good views Jane. I think you and Fitz will like it. It's good that Thomas wasn't stressed at the vets, but what a cost for an overnight stay! How do people manage that don't have insurance! :-0

Mandy, I can just imagine you and Colin doing the Tango in your shed with all that space! lol. In ours it would be like being at the Palais in the Saturday night crush! We were talking about Belly Dancing this morning as one friend said a pal of hers was looking to starting a class up. It caused a bit of hilarity when I said I was 'Over Qualified'. lol. :-)

Ann, your friends cat sounds massive. Is it a Moggy or some special pedigree ?
Thomas has those tufts too between his toes. I keep thinking that his big tail could do some of my dusting LOL ,But it is curled over like a Squirrels tail.The only time it is straight is when he is not feeling too good. We have one of those collapsable tunnels (but he got bored with that) .He loves the pop up tent though and often has a snooze in that. I waggle sticks underneath it when he is in there and he goes crazy trying to catch them. The tent is looking a little worse for wear now as he has clawed through it and bent it . I have a spare one ready to replace it. Tesco sells them for a fiver.

So no idea what caused the fire then.It must have been pretty fierce to have had the fire services out.
Ann , I will never feel cold. I seem to spend all day saying " It's so hot' then getting odd looks from Chris and James and saying I am the only one who thinks it is hot.
Another side effect of these blooming tablets is a hot face.. Got that :-S

Gill , this Tea towel is definitely not one of our old ones. It is bugging me now as I have no idea where it came from. We never bought it that is for sure.

It's a Maine Coon Jane, I've sent you a pic. I think the tunnel he has ends in a little tent too so is similar to Thomas's.

It's surprising when you read the instructions just how many tablets can cause overheating. OH had a bath tonight so he's been hotter than me since for a change!

Off to bed now to watch WDYTYA I recorded. I can hear the rain coming down now, but the security light seems ok!

That's very strange with the T Towel Jane. Well, you now have a brand new one to use :-D :-D

Pleased to hear your security light is playing nicely now Ann. I recorded WDYTYA which I'll watch tomorrow. Sandra has got us watching the Eviction of Big Brother, then I'll be off to bed myself.

See you all tomorrow
Night Night

I wonder if the t towel came from Jess's stay she may have had it for Benji.

I did'nt so the chiens in the end as oh said I woudl be silly to go out in the rain and wind.

Frank said he was'nt taking his lap top Jane which I am quite cross about because I am still missing him. Hope he is having a nice rest and not getting into too much trouble.

Morning all,

Sunny today but I arose late, well I got up at quarter to eight and went back to bed for half an hour then oh woke me at ten thirty five.

Hate it when I do that as it makes the day so short and there's always plenty to do.

So what are you all up to today?

Afternoon All,

I see Mel is now practising her French with 'chiens'........for a moment I thought she'd got some dogs!! lol. Have you found your jogging bottoms yet? I agree about getting up late as I get so much more done if I'm up early. Not so good getting up when you are awake half the night though. I've decided to try sleeping in an eye mask I bought. Not sure if it will irritate me and doubtless I'll be called Long John Silver or something by OH who is sure to find it amusing!!

As to what we are doing?.......OH has set off to a match at Grimsby about 2 hours away. He wanted me to go with him and even found a garden centre near where the match is, but my tum meant I had to trot to the white friend in the night so I didn't want to risk it although I am fine now. I think this happened the last time he wanted me to go with him!! Instead I am going about 17 miles to an art club exhibition at Lutterworth. I went to it last year and it was quite good. There is also a factory shop near there with free parking so I may pop in there too.

How strange.........I wonder where the towel came from Jane?

Afternoon all

Windy here today with a few sharp showers of rain, the sun is trying it's best to come through so I'm levelling the border OH made the other day, then hopefully if the rain stays away we might move the pots over. The ground is so compacted it's back breaking work so I'm having a sit down and a cuppa before I get back to it.

Hope your tum doesn't play you up again Ann and you have a lovely day out. So you'll be long John Silver soon then LOL :-D :-D, hope the eye mask helps as that's the main thing.

Yes Mel, it is annoying when you lay in and you have lots to do with your day, you feel like you're playing catch up all day. You must of needed the sleep though and I'm sure it's done you good. Are you doing your chickens today or is it still to windy?
I meant to ask, did you ever find your ring, the one with the missing stone, you never said? Hope you find your joggers soon.

Well, I'd better go and drink my cuppa before it goes cold, then get back to the garden.

Yes I did find one pair but the mink pair is still out there somewhere. I know I don't always wear them as I need to sew the pocket up as hankies keep falling down my leg or my phone which is'nt good. I had some washing waiting to be ironed in another dumpy bin where the joggers were right at the bottom.

I may tackle the chickens (got it right that time) today after going to the shop and I have some bantam eggs for Em next door and then it will be time to get the lunch.

Its coming over a bit cloudy now so I hope we don't get rain.

Hope you're ok for the rest of the day Ann and enjoy your ride out.

Afternoon All
It is quite a windy day here too and has been nice and sunny. But the clouds are taking over now and I wouldn't be surprised to see a shower or 2. At least my washing is all dry :-D.
So just one pair of joggers to find now Mel. Not a good idea though to wear the ones with the hole in the pocket especially if you keep your phone in it !!!. But you would feel that one fall out. I didn't get up too early either this morning. I watched a couple of documentaries on my laptop in bed. One was Professor Green and Poverty. The other one was about a young woman who had been terribly burned as a 6 week old baby .
Both the programmes had me weeping. The one about children living in poverty was especially sad. I made sure I put a load of food in the food bank trolley just now after seeing how so many families with children are struggling to feed them let alone anything else. When I look in my fridge /freezer and cupboards and see how much food we have it makes me feel a bit guilty (even though I know it shouldn't)

I expect Ann will be in Lutterworth now at he Art Exhibition. Hope that tummy behaves.I wonder what the factory shop is? I am sure she will tell us later.

I booked the tickets for Fitz and Me to visit Boughton House on the 25th.It is only about 15 minutes away from us. We have the 1pm tour.I think for the Big Hall,Staterooms and treasures.So I will be looking forward to that :-)

Liz was Cas just trying to get Ian's attention in your pics?? She did look funny lol

My Nephews wedding is just 2 weeks away now.I must start wearing the shoes around the house to break them in and see if they rub anywhere. The wedding is in Kent so we will go down on the Friday . We are all staying at a Premier Inn near Gillingham Janice made a massive block booking of rooms.
Poor James is going to have quite a hectic few days. His is going down to Jess on the friday to Chislehurst to help her pack all her belongings and then drive to Canterbury to pick up the keys for the house where Jess will be for the next 3 years doing her PhD at Uni. Then it is driving to the Premier Inn for the wedding the next day. Then on the Sunday he will be driving back to help Jess move in to the house. On the Monday it is back to Jess's home for the night and then on the Tuesday it is Jess's Graduation in London !!!!!. He will be like a zombie LOL

Just had a very short sharp shower and now the sun is out again,but for how long I wonder. Thomas dashed in and is flopped out on the carpet in the patch of sun.

I haven't seen the forcast for today so don't know what it is like for Frank . Hopefully sunny and dry.

Well its still dry here but it has turned chilly and is still breezy and thats what cold. I should think the wind is coming on shore so will be chilly where Frank is too but I could be wrong.

Hsd a good natter at Em's today and did the shop and lunch and now I am full to the brim. Too full to tackle the chickens just yet.

I wonder if the shop Ann is going to is actual called The Factory Shop as we have one of those in Holsworthy which sells just about everything. I am a great fan and buy all my cotton tops in there as they are so cheap. Some I use to sleep in and others I wear everyday and I have loads of different colours.

Cas was hoping that OH would play with her Jane, that's why she was nudging him with her ring, he was busy so she was out of luck!!
Windy here but at least it dried the washing which is all folded and put away!
M came over on Thursday afternoon as OH needed a hand in the garden, so I gave him a good supper which pleased him!!
We are going for a long weekend in Surrey in September, and maybe a trip to SIL in France in October. See how my mobility is before we decide!
Apart from the hairdresser on Tuesday nothing much going on here, just the usual round of daily do's!

Finished the border so I'm off for a nice soak in the bath, my back is really achy.

Loved the pictures of Cas Liz, she was really trying to get Ian's attention wasn't she?

The pic you painted Ann is brilliant. I wish I could paint like you.

Pleased to see you have found one of your joggers Mel, just one more to find now.

I think you might be right Jane, poor James is going to meet himself coming back with everywhere he's got to be. He'll need a holiday to recover LOL

Liz I am sure you should be fine for a trip to France in October.Nice weekend in Surrey sounds nice too.
Cas did look funny didn't she. Bet she was a bit disappointed that Ian wasn't up for a play lol.
It is really strange with this weather. One minute the sun is out and the next it is all cloudy again. Sun again at the moment.
I am having my hair cut on Monday. It will be 7 weeks since the last cut!!. Normally it is every 5 weeks but Nigel has been away for 3 weeks holidaywith his family. My hair is sooo long :-S. I have never gone 7 weeks before.

Mel I bet the Chickens are wondering where MUM is to clean them out :-D

It could be The Factory Shop that Ann is going to . Maybe a bit of everything. I did wonder if it was a shoe factory shop as there are lots around here and Lutterworth is not too far away from us.

I am still so bugged about this Teatowel which is not ours. I must ask James if Jess could have brought it (as you say Mel maybe with Benjy). It is just a real mystery.

I bought some ready made Puff Pastry this morning as i thought I could maybe make some Tomato based mini tarts or something. We have Tomatoes coming out of our ears there are so many. I don't do making chutneys. I expect Fitz might take some more off us next week . I see someone up the road has a board outside their house advertising Victoria Plums for 50p a Pound/Kilo. I saw someone pull up outside the house and thought they just need to knock on my neighbours door and they could have them for free as they have so many. The branches having been breaking on their trees because of the weight of all the Plums. Fitz has an Apple Tree with hundreds of lovely red apples and they are just falling off. So it seems to be a very good year (maybe too good) for garden fruit. Chris picked a load of Blackberries that were hanging over our fence down the garden the other day but they were too sour tasting for me.

The wind here is now getting really gusty ! The Birds need the window feeder filling .I am getting looks through the window :-D :-D

Good days work in the garden then Gill :-D. Enjoy your soak in the bath. Do you stay in it for ages? keep topping the hot water up? I love a bath.Usually I have mine in the morning when I have one. Years ago I would have one every night and then get into my nightwear and watch TV. I don't know why I have changed to having one in the morning. I always remember my Mum having her bath in the mornings and my Dad at night. Chris hardly ever has a bath and prefers a shower unless he has had a hard day in the garden and then likes to soak his muscles.

Just had a phone call from Hannah. She and Gareth are coming on Friday night for the weekend.She is out for some lunch with friends on the Saturday (Gareth will be going for a bike ride) as it is just a girlie get together . I will need to get her room sorted.It looks like a bomb has gone off in there.I tend to use it as a dumping ground for laundry and all sorts. She will miss seeing James as he will be down with Jess. So won't see him until the wedding.

Thomas has just been chasing a mouse around the patio. He carried it all the way up the garden in his mouth. James tried to rescue it . But it is now in Thomas's tummy
:-S
James has just informed me he is off out in a minute to meet up with two friends. Late arrangement . So there will be lots of left overs from the dish I have just been cooking.Chicken.Mushroom in a white wine sauce. I can freeze what Chris and I don't eat.

Dear Cas she tries dos'nt she. She's a good mate to you and Ian.

I have cleaned out the big girls and the bantams so both all nice and clean now. Still not getting any eggs from the big girls. I may try putting water in their house at night as I don't always let them out very early and as long as they don't knock it over it should be ok. I used to do it but when I had more birds they alway knocked it over and poo'd all over it.

Mel, she is such a sweet little soul and gives us endless pleasure with her antics and affection, including sitting on my lap most evenings for a cuddle!! Left to me I wouldn't have had another dog, but she has proved me wrong on every count, and I'm so glad that I was persuaded!
Nothing on TV tonight, so sky planner tonight!