General Chat

All packed away, chickens corned and then put to bed. I have had 7 eggs today so one each from th e new ones I expect. I have another Houdini and she gets out over the fence. She'll have to watch Mr Fox dos'nt get to know she is out and about. She does it every day. Thing is I am going to get covered in mud if I catch her and clip her wing.

I was at the counter in |Morrisons where all the Valentines food was and saw a man going through everything. I said to him "its nice to see a man chosing things" he said he did all the cooking and the cleaning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then his wife came up and he told her to look at all the stuff. She turned to me and said its his birthday tomorrow. I said its mine too. That was a coinsidence but he was younger than me just 10 years younger than my oh, born in 63. Nearly young enough to be my son!!

I think I told you that when we lived in Suffolk my son was friends with next doors boy who was a little older than my son. Roly's birthday was the same day as mine and Roly's mums was the same day as My son.

Frank I hope you sleep well again tonight and you will be catching up on some sleep then.

I did'nt watch Trauma but may give it a go if you think it was worth watching.

Not too bad a day here. OH sold our old log burner on eBay and the chap who bought it came to collect it at 9.30, so that was a good job done! I had my hair cut at 12noon, not before time as it was beginning to look really shaggy!! This afternoon OH went into town to buy a new winch!! the one we had finally broke after over twenty years use which can't be bad. It'll useful for moving hay bales, and for pulling a couple of bush stumps in the garden. I watched 'Call the Midwife' on catchup. Took Cas for a run, peeled some spuds and ironed those two shirts!!
Jane, I often think I'd like single beds, but the odd times we've slept separately we neither of us ever have a good night! habit I suppose!! Strange how something's suit some people and not others! each to his own I guess!
Goodness Gill, you are busy! I don't know where you get your energy from!!!
We're having pork chops, smashed potatoes and runner beans for our supper.
:-)

Finally finished ONE wall, I can see it taking quite a few days just to take the wallpaper off, it's like scrapping concrete. I was hoping to do some filling on the wall but I'm so tired and achy I'll do it another day.

Six layers of paint and paper Frank no wonder you needed an industrial stripper. It was hard enough for me with one layer. I don't think I'd of bothered if I'd had anymore layers. Pleased to see you had a good nights sleep. It sounds like you're keeping yourself occupied with your book, a bit of cooking and the TV. I don't watch programmes like Trauma, as they're not my kind of thing.

The weather's brightened up here and we've had quite a few hours of sunshine, although there's still a bit of a nip in the air. Rosie turned up for some nuts earlier, we haven't seen her for a few weeks and she is so thin now. Mind you she was soaking wet so probably looked thinner than she normally does. She didn't eat all the nuts, although I did put quite a few more down than I usually do, so we brought the ones in that she hasn't ate ready for the next time she comes around. The cheeky girl got impatient and jumped just inside our back door while I was getting the nuts. I shooed her out as I think she has fleas and we don't want those in our bungalow.

Did you get all your shopping done Mel? When you said you were going early I thought you meant this morning. Hope the weather was okay for you, it sounds like you've had lots of wet weather, your poor girls.....I bet they'll be glad when the spring is here. Yes our poor girl in the Olympics got knocked over, she was in tears in her interview. I hope she can move on from it and win a medal at the weekend for the rest of her skating.

How long is Fitz staying with you Jane, sorry if you've already mentioned it, I can't remember what you said. How is Thomas now? Hope he's back to his normal self and not being sick anymore.

I'm just having a sit down for a while. I'm so tired so didn't do as much as I'd hoped today. Never mind there's always tomorrow. Cup of Tea time now ;-) ;-)

Afternoon Everyone

I cant stop now as Fitz is going to be here any minute now and then there will be no chance of me getting back on here again tonight.

Well that was a good sleep last night Frank :-D Hopefully the rest of the nights will be as good. If they are I can see you wanting single beds. We often sleep much better when in different beds.

Gill we have a room with layers and layers of paper and paint :-S. I keep saying we really need to redecorate but it always seems to fall of deaf ears. I think it is the thought of getting it all off the walls.

I bet the girls think they are plodding around in lead boots Mel .All that mud must weigh a bit on their poor feet.

I have to go ,Fitz has arrived. Be back tomorrow now. Tatty Bye :-D

Have just watched the first part of TRAUMA. Worth a look if you haven't seen it.

Got my dinner in the oven, so will eat early this evening. I have only had weetabix for breakfast, so starting to feel peckish

Raining again here, so I don't think I will be going far tonight.

I thought you were going early Mel, I don't call this early.

So the Hedgehog is metal. We have one and an OWL carved by a chainsaw. We bought them at the Canal Festival a couple of years ago. Ros treats them with a varnish every few months, that keeps them from cracking in the weather. Will it have a place of honour on the decking by the pond ??

Well the rain has gone, but it is so cold out. I have just bought the food caddy in. Made myself a coffee, to warm me up. I doubt I will want to go out again tonight.

I have just put my book down, or I will have it finished by this afternoon. I must get some more from Tony when I see him.

Ros said that 3 parter "TRAUMA" was good last night. So I might watch the 1st part this afternoon. Did any of you watch it. ??

We have sunshine here now and have had rain and wind and hail showers too.

MY RECYCLING BOXES WERE TUCKED INTO NEXT DOORS BANK SO WERE QUITE SAFE. sorry did'nt mean to shout but i am typing with one hand as i am eating marmalade on toast and my left hand is all sticky.

our speed skater went down again, poor girl.

chickens are floating again this morning. you should see their feet once they have gone across the pen to the shelter up the other end, they look like they have big boots on. they had a nice lot of spring greens in the shelter today so that should give them something to do.

A van just delivered a parcel and i thoiuhgt it was for oh but it was for me and oh asked what i had sent for. I opened it and it was a great big metal garden hedgehog from my SIL for my birthday. so he made me open a present i could have saved for topmorrow.

Well the toasts gone so I better go and get ready to go out.?

Good morning, Mel, Gill and all,

As I promised myself, I got into my dressing gown and watched various programmes until 11.00 pm. Checked all round and went to bed. I was asleep before I knew it, and slept until 9.00 am with only one loo trip.

Can't say I have any news, because I don't !!!

Enjoy (not) your DONKEY DAY Mel. I can understand your concern about taking your tablet out. If you don't need to, why put yourself in a position where you might have it stolen.

Gill, I would think it would be difficult to get TEN layers of paint and the paper from the walls. When I lived at Gayon. I decorated the BIG bedroom, and had to use an industrial paint stripping blow heater, to get under all the layers of paint and paper. The previous owners, painted then papered, and painted then papered at least SIX times. S I can see what a job you have on your hands.

We have the rain here also Mel. I went out and bought the BIN in and it was spitting, now it's a steady rain. It looks like it's here for the day. We just don't need anymore water. Hows your "DUCKS" Mel.?? lol

Ros has just phoned. It took them ages to get from Newton Abbott to Paignton last night. When they got home the heating haven't come on, so the house was freezing. Jan went down in the cellar and turned the boiler on, and got the gas fire alright in the lounge. They sat for ages in their coats, until everywhere warmed up. She says they have a beautiful sunny morning there, so the weather is unpredictable right across the Country.

Well I hope we hear from Anne about Ruby and friends later. To the rest of you have a nice day whatever you are up to.

I will be settling down to my book.

Morning Mel, morning all

We've got snow here today.

Good idea to go shopping early Mel, you don't want to be out in horrible weather for to long. Pleased to see you had a good nights sleep.

Yes, how was your first night on your own Frank? Hope you had a decent nights.

Just watching the Winter Olympics and hoping our girl gets Gold on the speed skating.

I've made a start on taking the wallpaper off in the living room wall and boy what a job it is. We've painted the paper for 10 years (once a year) so it's like taking off cardboard, very hard to find a starting point, but at least once a start is made the wallpaper scraper can lift the paper up with it being so hard and sometimes I can get a good run. It looks like I might have to do a bit of filling on the walls but it shouldn't take long. I found 6 rolls of lining paper I had yesterday so I'm going to line the walls with that to make it look smoother.

The kitchen taps OH did yesterday are brilliant. I couldn't believe all the lime scale inside the old ones, no wonder they weren't working properly. OH thinks we have hard water around here that's why they were all junked up. At least now the hot water comes through quicker, as it took a while to go hot before.

Well, I'd better get back to the Olympics while I'm taking the wallpaper off the wall.
It's all go here LOL ;-)

Morning all,

Dull wet and raining here. It would would'nt it on shopping day. Well I think I may go early so I can get back earlier and have a bit of afternoon to myself.

Frank how did you sleep without your Ros? I bet you missed her and nobody to bring you tea in the morning either.

I was really tired last night and went off a bit earlier fell asleep right away.

I thought you were giving Mel 2 birthdays like you all did for Mandy, Jane. They'll be like the Queen then, as she has 2 birthday's too. LOL.

Yes, Mel your card was in a pink envelope, Sandra chose the cards, so hope you both like them.

Just made a picture using some of the wallpaper, so that's now up on the bedroom wall. It looks good against the white wall and now match's the wall I papered.

Off to bed shortly, see you all tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good nights sleep.
Night Night

Good news then for Ian Liz. Lets hope Glynn's is the same as the others.

What with thinking Mandy's birthday was a day early and now me!! well what can I say. I never know what day it is anyway so it would'nt make much difference. So Donkey Day tomorrow AGAIN and then my birthday on Wednesday. Oh asked me what I wanted tonight at dinner. I really don't know but said I woud like a cover for my tablet as he could'nt get a blue one at Christmas. I still can't do much on the tablet yet but I did read an email the other night on it. I am a bit frightened to take it out with me incase I lose it or someone pinches it. I don't carry a big bag when I go out only a small shoulder bag which it would'nt fit in.

Gill if your card was in a pink envelope it arrived ok and before Mandy's. It has a Chester post mark on it.

Hope Anne had a good day at the show yesterday and am waiting to see some pictures.

I just realised I thought it is Mel's birthday tomorrow . I still seem to be one day out :-S :-S.
Off to bed now. Chris is up early in the morning as he is going to Cambridge .

Frank I hope you sleep well tonight.

So we're all pilling round yours then Frank ;-) ;-) ;-)
Hope Ros made it to Devon okay and didn't get stuck in traffic for to long. Good idea to stay in if the weather is cold and like you said you can always listen to the football on the radio.

Good news about Ian Liz, I hope my OH has good news like that when he goes in March.

That's not good having sheds broken into Jane. Let's hope the police catch them soon.

Hope you don't have to much trouble with your electric Mandy, at least it's not taking the TV off and your lights are still working, even if they are flickering. Glad you got my card okay.
Hopefully Mel's arrived today too, as I posted them both together.

Still not got into any trouble. !! I just put my nose out the front door. I am not too sure if I will venture to the pub, as I have to walk home too. It seems very cold outside, and I am so snug and warm here. I might just get into my dressing gown and watch something on Tele.

Mandy THE PARTY str when you all arrive. Don't forget a bottle or three. ;-) ;-)

Not good having the "tea leaves" around Jane. This is when it would be nice to have a dog, to warn if anyone is around.

Spoke to Ros earlier. They were stuck in traffic and hadn't moved for 3/4 of an hour at Newton Abbot. Thy stopped on the way and had food, so all being well they are home safe and sound now. <3 <3

Yes I have decided I am staying home tonight. I can hear the match on the radio if I want.

Evening all,

What a lovely sunny day we've had today but the wind had been chilly , we have at last cut the old christmas tree up that we had outside the front door , it was still lovely and green .

Gill the card arrived this morning thank you , we saw that the wind had played havoc with the snow boarders at the Olympics , i did watch some skating this afternoon .

Very good news for Ian Liz ,would he be able to pass the tiny stones ?
The marmalade looks good ,all those jars will keep you going for a while .

Not more break ins Jane it doesn't seem that long ago you were saying there were break ins round your way .
Well your tasty looking dish will be just the ticket for tomorrow with Fitz coming .

So all on your own then Frank ,you make sure behave yourself don't you dare do any thing silly while Ros is away .
What time does the party start ;-) :-D :-D :-D all round to Frank's LOL

Better post this as the electric keeps playing up the lights flick off and on quite quickly but it's not taking the television off :-S
Looking on line it's an over head cable that's causing the problem ,lots of homes with no power .

Afternoon All

Good news for Ian then Liz.If there are any tiny minute stones lurking they may just clear without any intervention.

So Frank ,all on your lonesome now for a whole week !!! What on earth will you be doing with yourself. Not getting into any trouble I hope. :-D No getting up ladders or trying to wet and forget the roof !! Both feet on the ground please :-D :-D If you do need a lift or any help at all for anything I can always hop in the car and be over to you .
Poor Ros. It must be horrible getting these continual water infections. I expect though that this will keep happening until she gets her operation. It might be worth her asking the Dr for some extra antibiotics just to keep for the next time it happens so she may nothave to go the the GP. She knows the signs now. I hope she has a nice time with Jan down in Devon. As Mel said just think of the peace you will have from all the soaps :-D :-D. It will be BLISS. Has she left you a list of Do's and Dont's LOLOL

Gill I have enjoyed most the Olympics I have seen too. I did hear that some things had to be cancelled because of the weather.

My Neighbour from 2 doors down has just brought Thomas back as he was sitting on the bonnet of next doors sporty car in the front garden. She was on her way here to let us know there has been a speight of shed break ins along our road. Chris juat checked ours down the bottom and all is well.
Next door go to Australia for a month this week, another friend and her OH are in New Zealand for a month, then there the elderly lady who died house that is empty and another lady we know is away !!!!! I did notice that locksmiths were next door this morning ,so whether they have had bother or just having extra locks as they are away for so long I dont know. I reckon the thieves are coming up through the back field into the long back gardens as many of the sheds are not so close to the houses. I will have to put my nosy head on and keep a good look out for anything suspicious :-D

Tomorrow we have a guest for the night. It is Fitz !!! His son Tom's friend from Rugby days took his life the other day and Tom wanted to get all the lads together.But not at his place (because of little Ottilie ) so asked if it could be at his Dads.Fitz and Georgette were fine about it but Fitz said he would go and stay in the Travel Lodge !!!!!!! as he didnt really want to be there. Honestly he is as daft as a brush sometimes. So I said he could come here for dinner and stay the night and he has taken me up on the offer. So it was stripping the spare bed today ,not that he would mind sleeping in a bed that me and Thomas had used for a few nights. Its all fresh now. He will bring his own special pillow. For dinner I will get that meal I did the other night out of the freezer ,so will just need to cook rice and maybe some peas.

Mel are you doing anything tomorrow for your Birthday ? Does OH ever cook? I wondered if he might cook up a delicious meal for you what with it being your Birthday and Valentines Day the next day.

Tomorrow will be 13 years since my lovely Mum passed away. :-(

I am waiting to hear from Anne about the Doggy Meet up yesterday :-D :-D

Hi allLiz please to hear that Ian is free from Stones. That's TWO of us. Just needs Glynn and we have a full house !!!

Mel I agree with you Endeavour is a bit difficult to get your head round. It took me ages to get the story line, then it was over.

I see that Chelsa are playing WBA tonight. WBA are at the bottom of the table so should be a walk over for Chelsea. Lewis will be pleased, and no doubt watchng it. I might even take a stroll to the pub to watch it. But must remember I have to walk home as well.

I had to put my book down as my eyes were starting to close, and I don't want to sleep this time of day.

Just had a call from me friend from B.E.N. He is stuck on the M25the M1 and M25 are at a standstill with a nasty accident. He is off to Costa Rica in two weeks and will phone when he gets back to arrange to come and see us,

Clear sky out there now, so expect the frost will arrive with the darkness. Nice frost to wake up too in the morning.
See you all soon.xx

But just think Frank you can watch what you like on the tv and don't have to listen to any of the soaps. I hope Ros has a nice rest down in Paignton for the week. Don't forget we are always here for you to talk to.

I can't seem to get into Endeavor this time around. Not enjoyed it like in the past. Sometimes I think we get fed up with the same sort of story lines.

I did enjoy Call the Midwife though.

I have been watching Country File Winter Diaries on catch up and have enjoyed those as they have a bit of everything on there. Frank you could watch those on BBC iplayer on the pc.

Di called in this morning so I hav'nt got anything done. She called with my birthday present and card. I had two more cards in the post today and the one from Di so have a nice pile to open on the day.

Well here I am A BACHELOR BOY. !!! Jan arrived as planned. Had a coffee, and was taking Ros out for some shopping and lunch. While they sat nattering Jan said HOW ABOUT COMING DOWN TO PAIGNTON for a week. I wasn't keen, so I said to Ros YOU GO. it will do you good get get a break, so she packed her case and tablets for a week, and off they went.

They will stop on the way down for food and a break, and will be good company for each other. I will manage on my own. If I want to go to the pub I can, or I can stay at home. There is plenty of meats in the freezer and Veg in the fridge, so I won't go hungry.

We certainly had a blizzard last night. It didn't last long, but left snow and hail all over the garden and the car. I had to clear it off the car for Ros to go to the Drs.

She has another water infection, and this is why she has been feeling down. Another course of Ant- biotics. They should clear it up in a few days.

Yes Gill, I think you deserve a day off today. All work and no play etc. So take it easy and enjoy the Olympics. !!!

I have just gad a plateful of seafood and salad, so I doubt I will want much tonight. I have cold pork in the fridge, so can do something with that, if I want to eat later.

Nice clear sky's but very cold, I have put the bins out for tomorrow morning, so I can sit and read my book in peace and quiet.

I am sure I will be bored out of my brain, before the week is out, so you could be seeing quite a bit of me on here. !!!