General Chat

Iv'e just come in from the garden. Been building a bonfire and repotting a lot of my plants now they are coming up I can see what they are as the labels have faded. Badly need a drink.

Evening all,

It's been quite warm today with some lovely sunshine but when I went to sit out this afternoon it clouded over and turned chilly .
I did get the grass cut this morning and did some weeding but I didn't do to much I saved some for another day .

So you got some plants Anng ,yes Lego is very expensive but it's quite indestructible so does last well .

Vera I hope you managed to get another good night ,oh when you start looking at old photos the time just seems to fly .

Oh Ann you could have ended up on Crime watch lol have you seen this woman she just walked out of the co op with a bag of shopping , nothing new there though as shop lifters don't even get stopped now they just fill a bag and walk out .
That time I got home to find I had picked up two packs of socks from Bon Marche and I'd only payed for one pack ,I went straight back to hand them back and the cashier was surprised she said most people would have kept them .

I couldn't touch a stuffed animal when my dad brought home a lot of his mother's things there was a fox stoal, it had the feet and head and I remember it had these beady eyes that just seemed to follow you , my sister has it now I didn't want it .

Ann if the clothes are OK you could get a good bit of money for them ,people love the dear I say vintage clothing , is it Vinted where people sell things ,I think that's what its called .

Hope Gwyns OK we haven't heard from her for a few days ,perhaps she's been busy in the garden .

Afternoon All,

Mostly sunny today and warmer. I agree with Mel what a pleasure it is to drive along the roads with the trees and flowers in bloom and that fresh green everywhere. Even the roadside verges on the main road were covered in yellow dandelions this morning.

I did the stupidest thing in the shop as I used one of the self service tills today, which I've used a few times now. There is so little space to put anything like your bag, I struggled to get the big weekend papers in with everything else and an assistant was asking me if I was okay which I was. Anyway, like I used to do once I had everything stashed away, off I went. I got outside in the carpark and wondered where my card was. It was in my purse and it suddenly dawned on me I'd left without paying!! I went back in the shop and the assistant was surprised to see me so I had to tell her why I was back. Luckily the till still showed it was waiting for payment so I was able to pay. I said to OH later that I could end up in one of the cells at the police stations he used to visit and interview the inmates when he first retired!

All I've done today is a wash, which thankfully OH hung out for me, sort my pills for the next week and cook poachd eggs on toast with grilled tomatoes.

Your visit to Stowe sounded good AnnG, especially the China House. It was the huge size of the place that put me off going years ago and then later I knew I'd struggle to walk round much of it, but photos I've seen look lovely. I like those little garden centres you are visiting today as they often have some unusual plants you don't see in the bigger ones. Goodness your DIL's mum is a good age isn't she and no doubt has a few birthday cards from royalty!

Mel what was the attraction of the dead bat all those years ago and how come it was in your mum's room? Did she want to keep it? I wonder what you will find next in your drawers........a shrunken head!! :-0 I didn't really like the stuffed Barn Owl in a box with a glass front that I inherited from my paternal grandfather when I was about aged 16. It's plumage was faded and I wondered what it was stuffed with. I sold it just before I moved here. That's good you had your covid jab and that there was only one other person when you arrived. I hope the soreness soon wears off. Do you have your Flu jabs at a different time?

Vera once I start going through old photos I find time flies too, just the same as getting engrossed in a branch of my FH! I know I still have some clothes from when I moved here over 25 years ago! I know in the loft there is a case with a jumper and a blouse with leg of mutton sleeves when they were fashionable that became too small for me. I also have some dresses there, a purple one with a fishtail, a black one with a peplum and a plum coloured crushed velvet one with a stand up collar edged in silver piping and down the front I wore with a silver belt in my 20s. There's a black, fitted midi coat I bought as a teenager and a skirt with a 22 inch waist! I ought to sell some if the mice haven't made nests in them.

Gosh Lego has gone up. Did the shop and done up a couple of little parcels to post on Monday. Going out in the garden now as the suns still out and its warmer out than in. Its freezing in here but toasty in the sun. We had a shower this morning while I was on the way to the docs but nothing since.

This morning Son and I went to Lakers garden centre/nursery and Ibought plants. Aquilegia, Brunnera, penstemon, sweet peas and Nepita.

This afternoon Son, granddaughter and I went to MK centre. Gosh it is big and lively, so many people out shopping. Bought a T shirt and a three quarters sleeved top in M&S then a few bits in a new shop Sestrans and Greens. Wow such a lot of stuff. Also looked i. The Lego shop as Sophie wanted to. I could not believe the price of some of the kits anything from £200 to £500. Not kids toys any more. A good day though.

I forgot to come on here this morning.

Good morning all,

I have been to the docs this morning for my covid jab and it hurt today and the nurse said its not that bad Mel. They said they had 100 to do this morning. I knew the road was going to be busy so shot off on a side road and got in front of the car I was following. I parked in the road as I thought the car park would be full. When I walked in there was one car in there!!! and one man in frost of me. So all in all it did'nt take that long and I had a slow ride home looking at the trees that are in leaf now. I love the new green of Spring. The primroses and bluebells are all out in the hedgerows and a little white flower it all looks so pretty.

Enjoy your garden centre today hope you find something nice.

Good morning all, another beautiful sunny morning. It will probably cloud over later but hopefully no rain. I have been very lucky with the weather and we have been able to get out and about. Today DiL is going to visit her 102 year old um in her residential home so son and I are off to a very small garden centre not too far away. Always interesting as it is half nursery and half garden centre like they all used to be. No extra franchises to buy from.
I think this afternoon granddaughter may be taking me into MK centre.

I still woke several times last night but not quite as much.

At 7 pm I came upstairs to the computers to do a post but I got carried away looking at a lot of old photos on OH’s computer. It’s fatal to start looking at those, before you know it half the evening’s gone. We all looked so young! In one my brother was holding a tiny, sleeping baby. I couldn’t think who it could be till I noticed my daughter and her then husband in the background and realized it was their firstborn, our eldest grandchild. She’s now 28. What is more worrying is that I am still wearing some of the clothes I was wearing in these old photos. I think it’s time I had a wardrobe refresh.

Today would have been my brother’s 78th birthday. I still miss him such a lot.

It sounds as though Stu puts a lot of effort into cooking the meals you have together Mel. It was a shame he was a bit heavy handed with the BBQ sauce and spices so you were left with a sore mouth. Your foot man is really cheap but as AnnG says perhaps he doesn’t have the overheads that most chiropodists do. Fancy finding your bat after all this time. Your house is a real little treasure trove.

I’m glad you slept better last night Annx. That’s a good idea to give the man with the lost cat a couple of phone numbers where his cat might have been taken if found. Unfortunately, as far as I know there is only one place and that is on the road to Bury St Edmunds. I suspect he might have already tried there. There was a lovely place on the road down to Colchester but it’s had to close because the donations and the number of volunteers to run it dropped too much for it to be viable. I suppose I could check where the nearest RSPCA place is. Someone might have rung them to say they had found a cat. I don’t know whether he was chipped or not.

Your million bells plants sound a pretty colour Mandy. I do like those orangey/apricot shades. I haven’t had any million bells for a year or two but I have had them in the past in a couple of the troughs down the side of the house and they seemed happy there so I might try and get some more this year.

I’m glad you enjoyed your trip to Stowe AnnG. I am certain we have been there but can’t for the life of me remember when. I think it must have been a long while ago but I do remember enjoying it there and thinking how lovely it was. The trouble with these huge estates is that you need a week to get round them. Btw, I put a post on the book thread this morning.

It’s been quite a warm day though still chilly in the breeze and alternate sunshine and cloud but no rain to speak of, just a few spits and spots. I got various jobs done this morning and after lunch OH steam cleaned the kitchen floor for me while I got on with a few gardening jobs. I have a few pots of mini tulips which come out very early and the leaves of those have more or less died off. As I will want the pots soon I pulled the bulbs up and spread them in seed trays for the leaves to finish dying off before I pack the bulbs away for the summer. Then I sorted through the herbs and tidied those up and planted some more parsley seeds. I also potted up into a big pot a cutting I took of phygellus. It’s now about 6-8” high and looking sturdy so I’m pleased with that. Moving around the garden I am concerned about the number of snails all over the place. Slugs and snails are our biggest problem here and there seemed to be hundreds!! I don’t hold out much hope for the hostas this year.

I see time is racing away again so I’d better go and get myself organized with the few odd jobs I want to do before going to bed and then I shall tuck myself up with either my book or something I’m watching on iPlayer and hope I have as good a night as last night – six and a half hours solid sleep, I still can’t quite believe it. You all sleep well too.

Mandy the bat was dried out when I was given it and I put it in a plastic small box you cansee through all those years ago. Its in perfect condition.

Well the sun came out after I came home from the doctors. It rained a bit on the way there but its still nice and sunny now. Shame it was'nt like that all day.

Evening all,

It's been a nice warm sunny day ,we sat and filled a few pots for the tomato plants and also planted the runner beans seed in some pots.

That was a very good nights sleep you had Vera after feeling so off colour ,obviously the covid jab didn't suit you ,how was OH did he feel OK.

Ann don't you feel so much better after a good night's sleep ,only trouble I find when I do get a good night is that I feel stiff as a board if I haven't moved in the night .

Oh Mel good job that bat's in a Yardley lavender box ,I should think its a bit smelly ,is there much left of it , you do find all sorts in your house .

Sounds as if you had another nice day out Anng ,I had a google of the Chinese house it looks lovely .

Have you not cleared the dressing table out since your Mum died Mel?

Dinner with stu sounded ok but a bit too spicy still you seemed to enjoy it.

That really is cheap but he is not paying for premises.

Yes I took photos of the Chinese house. Most of them are on my camera but I think I have a couple on my phone I can send.

Sounds a lovely outing again today then and some nice cheese to enjoy too. Did you take any pics of the Chinese House?

Been to Anton and feet all comfey now and he cut my right hand thumb nail for me as its so hard and I can't do it myself. He even could'nt get through it the first time he tried and went to the other side of it but managed it in the end. He did'nt charge me any extra which was just as well as I only had his £12 on me. Yes I did say £12 I know you lot pay a lot more, sorry.

Had a good root around in the draw of mums dressing table this morning and found things I had'nt seen for ages. I found in there a little dead bat that my cousin Martin gave me whenwe were down here on holiday one year I was about 15. He'd found it behind a glass cabinet in the tall room at Winslade Farm. I thought I had lost it but its still in the plastic box I put it in and that was inside a very old Yardleys Lavender box.

Good afternoon all. Had a good day. Drove to a farm near Buckingham and had a very nice breakfast. Had a look in the cheese shop and son bought some nice cheese.

We then drove to Stowe. Gardens This is a huge place, grounds of about 750 acres and the parkland designed by Capability Brown among others. We only covered a very small part of it but it was a beautiful walk, hazy sun and light breeze. As both Di
L were walking with a stick we didn’t want to overdo it so sensibly called a halt. It was a very relaxing walk and uplifting being among the trees, I particularly liked the Chinese house. This is apparently wrapped for the winter and has only just been unwrapped. It is lovely all covered in pictures that make you want to paint them. It is the oldest surviving. Chinoiserie garden pavilion in Britain. I am tired now, all that fresh air and exercise.

Afternoon All,

Well I had a paracetamol to help me drop off last night, but was surprised after 1 trip t the loo I stayed asleep till 7.30 am so had a good sleep. I was up, showered and at Sainsbury's by 9.20 am, half expecting no end parking spaces near the store for me, but I got the last one and it was right outside the entrance. My exciting buys were a new toilet brush and holder, newspapers, some slow cooked lamb shanks a bit of veg. I went to look at the clothes, but didn't get anything and the store is too big for me to walk all round it so I came away then. A nice lady next to me on the self service asked me if I wanted her Nectar points as she'd forgot her card so that was a bonus as she'd bought a pile of clothes!

Mandy I think the bird had left the whole pack of his calling cards! OH said the same as you and that it was just after the windowcleaner had been. I was glad OH put some gardening gloves on and went and cleaned it off with some old cloths that went in the bin after and a good dousing with the watering can after. He said some had dried and took a bit of shifting.

That was a nice bit of pampering at the hairdressers AnnG. I get a head massage, but not the luxury of a massage chair. I must mention them to Tia and see if Barry is interested in getting one put in! Mind you I am short too, but more in the leg than body so I might reach ok. It was good of your DIL to beat you to the till as well. I hope you have a nice day at Stowe. It is a place I've never been but it's always been on my list. Capability Brown created some lovely (and large!) landscapes.

Mel it was a shame the barbequeue sauce seems to have been a bit too strong for you in last night's meal this time and caused soreness, Still we all get things a bit wrong sometimes anyway and maybe Stu likes it like that. I hope it's worn off a bit now. I don't seem to do well with sweet peas in this garden, or any peas really. They vanish and I think the mice have them. Even plants of them don't do that well so maybe it's the soil that doesn't suit them either. It is chilly and we had the heating on for a blast of warm air a little while ago. It's been dry here but it's breezy and I've not been tempted to go in the garden.

It's a pity you felt so unwell after this Jab Vera but at least you had a good sleep which must have been welcome and has helped. I hope the next jab is better. I had no effects from that one so I hope it's the same for you. You sound busy so I hope you get everything done in your busy day.

Yes Vera only just really.

Its that horrid fine rain here that gets everywhere.

I have the foot man this afternoon so shall have some lunch and get ready for Anton.

Need to get something to eat now as I am hungry. Need to find some socks first as my feet are cold.

We're all late on parade this morning so I thought I'd start the ball rolling by saying good morning everyone, wakey wakey ;-)

I had a dreadful night on Wednesday after the jab. Apart from a sore arm I haven't had a problem before but I think I had some sort of reaction to this one. I had a stonking headache which may or may not have been due to the jab but I also had a temperature and felt generally unwell and barely slept at all. By last night I was feeling much better, turned my light out at about midnight and next thing I knew it was 6.30 am. I can't remember the last time I slept like that. The bedclothes were barely ruffled. I hope you have all had as good a sleep as me.

Must get on as I've lots to do today. I might get back later. In the meantime have a lovely day.

EDIT: I see you beat me to it Mel.

Morning girls,

My meal last night was as I guessed chicken with roast pots and mixed frozen veg but he had put a lot of babeque sauce in it and this morning I have a sore mouth and throat. He also put fresh garlic and other things in it and it did taste good but just a bit too strong.

Dull and dreay morning here and its been raining as the cars are wet. It 12 degrees and feels cold so I have turned the heating on for a while to take the chill off the house as yesterday it was warmer outside than in.

Did'nt have a good night last night, I went to bed at 11.08pm as I was so tired and dropped off quickly. Woke for the loo when it was still dark, did'nt look at my phone incase it kept me awake but still I just lay there and even turned over again and that did'nt work so back to the normal right side and in the ned I must have dropped off and woke again for the loo and it was so cold I went back to bed and this time I dropped off again and woke at 9.56am! So you could say I had a good sleep last night as there must have been plenty of it. Then I woke with backache, bad back ache on my right side.

They are in the conservatory at the moment Anng bit early to go out yet ,I just thought they were a lovely colour thats why I got them
That was nice of your dil to treat you to the wash and blow dry .

Thanks Ann for sending Anng photos ,the gardens look lovely ,all those tulips and daffs , I see on the news last night they said the tulip fields near Sandringham are now open to the public ,we've seen them from the road when we've been that way , they look a picture .

Oh heck Vera that nurse doesn't do gentle by the feel of things and now you have her to look forward to again , hope your arms not to sore today.

Oh no Ann was it a calling card from a bird on your conservatory window ,and just as the window cleaner has been too .

Mel enjoy your meal tonight ,wonder what it will be .

Well that was a nice treat Anng. Shame about the other chair.

Did some gardening this morning and pottered in the shed for a while now I need to do a bit more and take some water down the shed and sow some more sweet peas, maybe soak them tis time. I never have before in all the years I have grown Spenser Sweet Peas. Need to go up the potting shed and see if I have any new pots in there if not its in the stables to find some three inch pots in there.

No all

Mandy I assume The million bells will.be in the greenhouse in case of frost.


Time seems to be moving fast here already four days are gone.

Have been out each day and each one seems to start with eating breakfast and then stopping for coffee and maybe lunch or brunch. Been to a couple of garden centres and Ascott house gardens. And tomorrow going to Stowe.

Had my hair washed and blow dried at a very nice hairdressers that has won awards for accessibility and attention to wellness. My height made it not possible to sit in the large massage chair to have my hair washed, my head wouldn’t reach up to the basin because I am short bodied long legged. So had to use a different chair and basin. However it was a lovely wash and head massage. Goodness knows what it cost as daughter in law beat me to the till


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