General Chat

I think it's me getting muddled AnnG. I thought Sawrey knott was the name of the place! I remember you staying before and seeing the beautiful views on photos you took. I've just googled and hadn't realised what a lovely house it is with the Tower and a great place to have lived with extensive grounds too. I'm feeling 'wish I was there' feelings now!

Mel it was you who vanished today! We are still 21 degrees here but that's cooler than last night at this time. It's a shame when things you make don't quite turn out, but I think you always learn from them anyway. My back and knee aren't improving as quickly as I would like, but I hope to go and get the geraniums I saw the other day in the morning if any are left. I've hardly done anything again today, but am off to bed now.

I thought I had said where we are staying. It is an apartment in a very large house (hotel size)called Sawrey Knott There is a bit on line about it. It goes way back to the 19th century when it was a hotel then a large private house. I did once check it out on the censuses.
Daughter and her late husband bought a two bed apartment in the house, first they let it out and the. When he became I’ll they lived there and he died there Christmas 2014. There apartment was downstairs but she sold it in 2015 as it was not a good place to live on her own. The apartment we are in is directly above what was hers. We have stayed there twice before. T and I stayed I’m the downstairs one several times.

If you google it we are in the tower.

I have faffed about today and done some painting but it was'nt very good. I was trying out something new but it did'nt work the way I wanted it but I did finish it. Its a bit small for what I want to get on it.

All ready for the next part of your holiday then Anng.

Not been so hot here today but after a grey start and that shower of rain the sun came out and its been a nice day. Its 18 now and pc says a shower of rain on Monday.

It was nice to have a coffee and see the harbour AnnG even if the trip was importantly to fill up with fuel. It's cooler at 21 degrees here now and I have swapped to a T shirt from a strappy top. Packing layers was best wasn't it as you say. I hope it's a pleasant trip to your destination and is it a lodge you will be staying in?

It was just a short trip to Maryport first for a coffee and then for a quick drive round the harbour and an even quicker walk as it is very grey and the wind has a bite to it. But it was good to get the sea air anyway the. It was petrol for our journey tomorrow in case it is dearer further south.. I am half packed just tops and trousers to put in, good job I brought layers with me as today I have a camisole a tee shirt and a cotton sweater on.

Morning All,

Slept well with my cold bottle and after a paracetamol and it's cooler, only 19 degrees this morning. I've pain in both my sides now as well as my left knee, but it should ease a bit later with short pottering around and sitting.

OH has certainly been messed about with getting his windscreen fixed by Autoglass. Wednesday when he rang they said Friday and would let him know what time later in the day but didn't. He rang again Thursday, but their Derby branch picked up his call so knew nothing, but sent an email to their people here. OH then got a call from the people here to say they could do it for him yesterday afternoon instead of today. Then he got a txt to say the windscreen hadn't arrived and booked him in for this morning. Now he's had a txt to say the technician is off sick and have re-booked him in for Sunday!! In a way I'm glad as I'm more likely to be able to get in my car by then to give him a lift home. I don't know if I said before, but as the screen was fine and it happened while it was on the drive, OH was told it would be the heat we've had here that would have caused it to crack.

Mel, fingers crossed, our Magpie hasn't been in the conservatory since and now there's no food for him in there I hope he's given up! Your Raven sounds a real pain. I wonder if propping a mirror near or against the door might put him off? Have a look on Temu for bird scarers as there are things for a few pounds that might be worth trying.

I hope you have a nice time with your trip to Maryport and then on to where you are staying today AnnG.

Vera you do well to get so much done! Quite a little group of you for the birthday do to have a nice chat with yesterday. It sounds like you are still having trouble finding out about your OH's appointment and what department you need to go to. I hope you get the letter in time. Our post seems to be weekly now. Sorry you missed your physio appointment, but at least you have another now. Our surgery sends several txt reminders usually as does my hairdresser. It used to annoy me but, even with a diary now I sometimes miss things. I may be wrong, but suffering the same with swollen ankles I have read somewhere that massage can reduce the fluid buildup so maybe that's the reason?

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Don't take any noticed of this its just a ref I have to write down for the doctors so thought I would put it on here.

Morning Anng and all,

Enjoy your trip to Mary Port.

Its a grey morning here and it is 15 degrees. Pc says 4 rainy days starting Monday but when I got up and went to the bathroom it was raining. By the time I got out here and made my coffee it had stopped but it was'nt enough to wet the ground though it sounded heavy.

The blimmin Raven is banging on the patio doors again and you should see the mess he makes out there. He started perching on the bottom back bar of the wooden seat out there and so I put things against it and now he perches on the top back and messes all over the seat. The decking out there is spattered with its poo.

Good morning all it is sunny here again but looks like a strong wind. It is more often than not windy here as it is close to the sea in Solway Firth. I think we are just having a short drive to Mary Port this morning as we will then be packing. I think it is just about an hour to Sawrey, it is a slowish drive because of narrow roads. Where daughter lives is near Workington so on the north west coast, where we are going is roughly the other side of Windermere from Bowness. If you have ever crossed the ‘lake’ on the ferry it is very near where it lands.
I think next week drops a good ten degrees and it is going to be wet.

There were no thunderstorms for us last night. It’s still 23 degrees here and the air feels heavy. I think we could do with a storm or at least a good downpour to clear the air a bit. I don’t think the temperature is going to drop very low tonight so I expect it will be another sticky, sleepless night. Looking on the bright side it’s lovely to go out without a fleece or a jacket.

Your iced coffee sounded refreshing Mandy. I seldom think of making that but it’s a good idea when it’s hot weather. You asked about the hospital car service. I don’t think our doctors run any scheme but the hospitals do and Saffron Walden could organize it for us but we could be waiting around for hours for transport to arrive to take us home. We have a local community transport called GoStart so when we eventually find out what’s what I might see what they can do. When someone rang OH back on Tuesday we did manage to find out that we have to go to the main hospital and we got an address but we still don’t which department or what OH is going for. Getting information is worse than drawing hen’s teeth. I just hope this letter that is supposed to be coming arrives soon.

It sounds as though you had a nice outing to Siloth AnnG. I hope the weather stays pleasant for you next week. Is the place where you are going far from your daughter’s house? I don’t suppose you want another long tedious journey. Who looks after the cats while you are all away?

Did you hear from Stu Mel? It would be nice for you to go out for a bit of company but if you don’t go to Stu’s I’m sure you’ll manage to make a nice meal with your chicken. It might be a bit embarrassing but you ought to call your doctor again. You need to sort this indigestion out and ask him about your swollen feet. If they have only swollen in the last few days it’s probably the heat but it’s best to be sure. I think I told you that I had an appointment tomorrow morning to see a physio about my swollen feet. The young receptionist definitely said Friday as I repeated to her that it was Friday at 11.10. She said yes but said she would write it on an appointment slip which she gave me. I didn’t even look at it till just before 5 pm today when I saw the date she had put for my appointment was today!! So I didn’t know whether I was supposed to have gone to the main surgery today or was supposed to be going tomorrow. I quickly rang the surgery and explained I had made the appointment at one of the other surgeries in the group. She said I should have been there today. I felt awful and apologised and she was very nice about it and said she would make me another appointment. She didn’t understand why I needed to see the physio either but explained the young receptionist who had made the appointment was new and had probably got herself in a muddle with all the different computer programmes. Anyway she has booked me in for an appointment with a paramedic on Saturday morning so I shall see how I get on then.

I had a nice lunch out yesterday and then 8 of us went back to one of the ladies’ houses for tea and cake in her garden and the birthday girl opened her cards and pressies. There was plenty of chat and laughter and lots of working out how our system will work with the new bins as our old system finishes this week and the new collections start next week. I’ve read all the information we’ve been given a few times and think I’ve got to grips with it but some of them had barely glanced at the leaflets and were getting in such a muddle, that it got quite funny. Some people from other areas will hardly notice any change but our system has altered quite a lot so will take a little bit of getting used to. I found my first query early this morning. Are the stones from the centre of prunes food waste or just general rubbish? In the end I decided on food waste.

This morning we had coffee out with friends. Unfortunately one of the men was unwell and his wife had to take him home. This afternoon I’ve done a towel wash, sent some emails and done some admin, set up a Tesco order for delivery on Saturday, sent our youngest granddaughter a birthday card, prepared and cooked our dinner and after dinner watered pots and troughs where needed.

We had hoped to see our granddaughter who will be 20 on Tuesday while we are at our son’s for a couple of days next week. She wanted to get home from uni to see her sister while she’s home from Hong Kong. Unfortunately she is in the middle of exams and has just started a new part time job at a burger place that has just opened this week so she can’t really ask for time off already.

Now I feel shattered so I’ll tell you another time what I’ve now managed to land myself with. (My old English teacher must be turning in her grave at the grammar in that sentence.) Why can’t I learn to keep my big mouth shut?

I wish it was here Mel as it's 25 degrees. My ankles and feet are swollen today and now my blood tests are back I need to make an appointment to see the doctor. The results all look normal so it looks like different compression socks she talked about. I'm not going till it's cooler though and next week the children will be back at school as well. Ignore the guilty feeling Mel and just apologise when you ring. The number of people who miss appointments they must be used to it.

Sounds like you had a nice trip and walk by the sea AnnG and had some breaths of sea air. I slathered some antiseptic cream on the toes and although they are bruised to touch they are ok in my sandals.

Mandy I was really lucky the big soil filled pot was there to grab or it could have been a nasty fall. I've never had iced coffee so I think I will try some as it sounds nice for the hot weather.

OH had a call to take his car in to the next village for his windscreen to be replaced this afternoon. It was supposed to be tomorrow, but is back again to tomorrow now as they didn't get the windscreen it needs today after all. Perhaps as well as I couldn't manage to get in my car this morning so couldn't have collected him. He has a plan B if I still can't manage it tomorrow. They say it should only take an hour and there is a coffee shop only a short walk away and it looks to be cooler tomorrow. OH is at another match at the same place tonight. It has a stand so he won't be in the sun and takes water to drink with him. I hope everyone sleeps well tonight.

A nice 20 degrees now.......

No I hav'nt asked for a doc to ring me again. I feel a bit guilty asking again.

My feet have swollen up in the last three or four days and the skin feels tight, not badly but enough for me to notice. It could be the heat or that I am staying inside to get out of the heat and not moving around much just sitting and painting.

BIL turned up this morning and mowed the grass which means he won't come tomorrow. I am sure he comes on these odd days so I don't have anything else for him to do for me.

Stu has'nt let me know yet but if he dos'nt ask me to go there I have some nice chicken in the fridge still.

Afternoon all. Had a good trip out this morning to Siloth. Had coffee first then a pleasant walk along by the sea sunny and low twenties so warm but not muggy, and a light breeze. Sat for a while in the sun before making our way back to the car to come back here for lunch. Tomorrow we have to re pack for going to Sawrey Knott on Saturday. Weather is not looking as good next week which is why we made the most of it today.
Hope your toes son recover Ann. Enjoy your meal with Stu Mel. And have you followed up the doctors phone call to get another call.
Vera hope you enjoyed the birthday lunch, hopefully you will be less busy soon.

Mandy if you have had rain after the sun I bet your beans and cucumbers have grown. I am hoping they had rain at home yesterday as I believe there was a thunder storm last night.

Morning all,

Shopping all done and put away ,we have a nice iced coffee with lots of ice cubes in to cool us down ,not very busy in the shop I suppose everyone's at the beach or not coming out so early as there is no school runs .

Ann you were lucky you didn't go right down with your trip it could have been nasty, iit can shake you up a bit too , enjoy your lunch out ,hope it's somewhere with nice air con .
Yes perhaps Stu will do you a meal with less or no spice Mel ,a nice salad with meat and new potatoes would be nice .

Anng that was nice to be greeted with the cats on your arrival ,I hope you enjoy your stay .

Better have my coffee now

I'm so pleased I have company today, thanks girls for posting. I know you're all busy but it does get lonely on here sometimes. :-D

Not got the gong a longs on today as I found a nice cool cotton edge to edge top in the wardrobe this morning and decided on the with a vest underneath for decentsy in case anyone calls.

Morning All,

I slept well until a thunderstorm woke me and the rain really lashed down, so that was good for the garden. More than don't mind Mel, I am relieved it's cooler. I think the Midlands have been one of the hot spots and often there's no breeze to help. Did you arrange another phone appointment with your doctor as you missed the last one? Perhaps Stu will do a nice salad meal as it's so warm and you should be ok with that and if so it would give you a change of scene and company for a few hours?

We are out shortly for lunch and I still need to shower like Vera. Thanks for asking about the toes Vera and luckily they are ok with my open toed sandals. I noticed my wrist must have wrenched grabbing the big pot as it hurts when bending it this morning, but I'm just glad my back is no worse. I hope it stays cooler for your outing too. Need to sort a few things next so BBL.

Good morning Mel, morning all

It’s a bit cooler now though it should get to 26 again today. There is a bit of a breeze which should help.

Sorry you didn’t have much company on here yesterday Mel. I’m having a busy week and can’t always post every day.

I hope your poor toes aren’t too painful after your trip Annx.

I have to be out in an hour and still have to shower and do a couple of jobs so must dash. Enjoy your day everyone. Might bbl.

Morning all,

Another hot night and its a bit cloudy today so far and 21 degrees and pc says starting to rain in an hour. I don't mind that it may cool it down a bit.

May go to Stu's tonight as with this indigestion I have put it off the last couple of weeks. I'll text him and see what he says.

Evening All,

No storms or rain last night despite rumbles of thunder. I slept quite well except for one of my anxiety type dreams. We were in France, me on a beach and OH sitting on a cliffside. After walking round a corner on the beach, when I turned back OH had gone and I couldn't find him. I couldn't phone him as he had my handbag to look after and my phone was in it. All I had was my camera with my credit card in the camera bag. A lady tried to help me but my french was about as good as her english. I couldn't remember where we were staying, so she took me to where she was staying and I paid to stay the night. I couldn't remember the word for husband in french and the people just looked alarmed when they got the gist that I wanted them to phone the police. I thought at least if OH rang the police they could tell him where I was. It was one of those dreams where you keep waking then fall asleep again and seem to be in the same dream again. The lady helping me then left and said she'd left me a bag full of gifts she didn't want. When I looked inside, it was a huge cushion and a headscarf that reeked of that stale face powder that old ladies used to powder on thickly. Then I woke up.

We went to the only airconditioned garden centre cafe round here for breakfast and it's been refurbished and extended, so there are partitions making little more private areas and the seating is well padded and much more comfy. We had a vegetarian brekkie and got them to swap the hash browns for grilled tomatoes to keep it good for OH's heart diet which was better for me too. We also got another of the spray weedkiller we want as we left. They have a good selection of geraniums, but they were in the boiling hot tunnel, so I may go back when it's cooler.

I managed to trip over the metal base that's left from where the fence post was at the edge of the path corner. Luckily I managed to grab the the waist high plastic pot so didn't go over and miraculously didn't wrench my back worse. I broke the toenails on the two smallest toes though and made the toes bleed. I put a largish upturned flowerpot over the top of the post ages ago so it was easy to see, but I think perhaps the wind might have lifted it off. I have a sneaky suspicion that even if that happened, OH would have tidied it away and not put it back over the post, or even lifted it off the post to tidy away!

Not an ideal journey then AnnG with a bit of crawling, but at least you are there and settled in now. How nice the cats were pleased to see you.

So the gong a longs have had an outing Mel! I always think about them when it's hot. It's been a bit cooler here today and is 20 degrees now, but I've still hardly done much, a bit of admin and phone call and tidying. I just feel tired but should do some washing. OH found a match to go to about 3 miles away and went, as it's cooling a bit here.

I hope Vera enjoyed her lunch out with the birthday girl and friends today.

I'm off to bed now with my cold hot water bottle. I hope everyone sleeps well.