General Chat

PC says its 25 here now for Buckland Filleigh but gosh it is hot out there.

I have been up the post van this morning and posted a return back and changed an old £20 note I found in mums jewelry box for the latest one. It did look big after the new notes. I also have a collection of old 50p's but can't remember where I put them and I had to hurry cos the vans not there that long.

I use the post office van as a bank as you can do everything in there now, take money out and pay bills and put money in so if the bank is busy you can go to a post offce.

Yes it is hot isn't it. A bit cooler at 21 degrees here but no breeze at all. I went to the garden centre in the middle of nowhere and had a plod around. A more local garden centre that gets very busy took this one over about 3-4 years ago. It was quite run down then but they are spending a lot of money on it and big new poly tunnels have been put up in addition to the existing ones and the new big greenhouse extension they put up a couple of years ago. There is a lot of land and a bungalow and they have a huge selection of plants and trees and unusual garden pots. They have closed it in the winter up to now to do alterations and I think they grow plants for their other garden centre there as well. A lady doing some watering told me not to trip over her hose and said it woud take her all day to water everything. I didn't find the plant I wanted, but did get a nice orange flowered alpine and I also got the birdfeeder I wanted.........plus an icecream!

I have sent an email and have sent to Anng but I don't know if she will get it so could someone please send the pics on to her, Thanks.

Mel xx

Phew, it is hot. It’s 23 degrees but it’s very sunny and there is not a breath of wind so it feels even hotter. OH did an hour in the garden earlier but had to come in by 10.30.
I got very hot making up a bed and changing its duvet for a thinner one as I have a family member staying tomorrow night. While I was in that room I sorted out a few more bits for the charity shop and had a general tidy up. Just got to hoover round and clean a bathroom now.

Tomorrow we have a family party in my cousin’s garden near Norwich. It’s an annual thing though this is the first one for 3 years. It’s held in a different place each year and family come from all over, staying in hotels or camp sites if they are a long way from home. With fuel costs and parking difficulties it makes sense to share cars if possible so one person who lives about 50 miles from us will drive to us first thing in.the morning, leave his car here and continue on with us and then come back with us for the night. I hope it’s not too hot outside tomorrow.

I wish I hadn’t sat down for a cold drink as I don’t want to start again now buy I must get on.

I walked all over helebore plants last year tidying up the garden Mel and they all still came up, they are quite tough.

Gosh it is hot out there. I left here at 0910 and was back by 0950 and I was sweltering. I had planned to go on into town but that would be stupid it will be too hot and humid in there so staying put. Probably even too hot to do any gardening. 20 degrees already.

I must work out which plants to dig up and put in pots but can't do that in this heat, it really needs to be done after rainfall.

Ann drive looks better but won't be finished until next week as there were still some very stubborn little weeds that have been treated with weed killer. when he comes back he will get the rest of the weeds out and then brush the compound between the blocks.

Morning All,

It was a very warm night here and is 18 degrees now. OH is zooming on some appeals today so will need to have a soup lunch or salad as they only have a short lunch break. I am going to another garden centre next. It will save me tiptoeing through the lounge so as not to disturb him. I can't hoover or put the kettle on in the kitchen or microwave as they are too noisy for when he is zooming so am a bit restricted. Like Mel I have a trampled plant in the front from when the tree came down. It is a favourite and in flower now so I want to see if I can find a couple of them to put in the back garden where the big shrub was taken out. I also need a new birdfeeder.

Oh Vera, I was drooling at the description of your strawberry tea, it sounded so delicious! Yes I have noticed queues outside at the bank in the next village that I swapped to a little while ago. There used to be 5 banks/building societies in the next village and now there are just 2. OH's closed recently as well.

Is your drive looking nice now AnnG? I have someone coming to give me a quote in a week's time and I hope that the ugly oil stain from OH's old car can be removed.

Morning all,

Beautiful sunny start to the day here and already 19 degrees.

Vera the tea sounded delish with so many nice things to eat. I bet you were glad you went and enjoyed every minuet of it by the sounds o f things. I would have I know that and a good comfortable day for it too.

Oh usually clears up after the box hedge clipping but this lot was on my plants and I had to get it off. He had trampled some of the plants like the helibore but I am hoping it will pick up again. I cut all its dead leaves off and some new one came off too where he had trodden on it but thats a small price to pay for getting the hedge cut.

I wonder what today will bring? we will see.......

Good morning all. 0930 appointment this morning to collect glasses, not sure what I am doing the rest of today, it looks like being a warm one.

Vera, I suppose with there being fewer and fewer banks, those that remain will always be crowded. Annoying isn't it? some things just can't be done on line.

That Strawberry tea sounds delicious. So pleased you enjoyed it.

Your garden certainly keeps you and OH busy Mel. It sounds as though he is getting on really well with the hedge and you are helping to keep everything tidy.

We went into town this morning and I went to the hairdresser and made an appointment for next Tuesday while OH queued at the bank. There was only 1 cashier on duty again and everyone had business that couldn’t be done at the machines, so it was a bit of a long wait. Then we went to get some veg in the market. There is an excellent, large veg stall with tills both ends and you can walk right round and help yourself to what you want. They are not cheap, if anything a bit dearer than the supermarket, but it’s good quality and fresh and, where possible, locally grown. We always used to buy beautiful peaches from this stall and I was pleased to see they have them again at 5 for £3 so I had to get 5 didn’t I?

Then this afternoon we went to the strawberry tea which was as good as I remember. There are printed quizzes for people to do at their tables if they wish, raffles, a plant stall, a live group playing background music and a great tea. There are sandwiches of all sorts, savoury scones, sausage rolls and pieces of quiche to start. Then when everyone has had their fill of those the next lot comes out; bowls of strawberries with pouring cream, scones with jam and cream and a strawberry on top, meringues and pavlovas filled with strawberries and cream and all sorts of cakes. I never sampled the cakes as I was already full up. The weather was good for being outside as it was pretty warm but without too much sun and with a pleasant breeze. All in all, it was a good afternoon.

I think it’s now time for a chapter of my book so I’ll wish you all goodnight, sleep tight, sweet dreams.

Been out in the garden all day again. I got all the clippings off the bit of garden and oh cut more of the hard bit then moved the tower along and cut a bit more. He then decided the lawn needed cutting as it was getting so long so he did that and I picked up all the clippings and put it on the trailer. We are getting there slowly. I also cleaned up the tarmac in front of the rockery and chopped off three achemila plants. they will grow back but I keep at them. Had a good sweep up and then we had a G & T by my pond and then it was time to cook some dinner which I did'nt feel like but I was hungry so I made a chilli and we both had that.

Afternoon All,

It's 20 degrees and sunny here, but was cooler and cloudy earlier when I managed to do the 1 lap walk. The council men seem to have vans in the car park the last few times, but only once have they been doing any work (mowing). It's a park that's hidden from the road so I suspect they have some extended breaks there. ;-) I noticed broken brown glass on the path near one of the seats today. Not good for dogs' paws or toddlers. I think there is a new nest of baby Moorhens under the bank near the overhanging deck I throw bread from as I could hear noise! The parents were there and scurried out after the bread I threw in and there was a new lot of noise when they disappeared into the bank.

While I was gone OH had a zoom chat with the other council that he'd been recommended to. One of their staff was at the National Conference he did the speech at last week and had reported back that he was the man they wanted! They need to advertise the post but want him to apply as they need a reserve which shouldn't involve too much. Most will be by zoom so the distance wouldn't matter and he would get a small fixed annual payment so I think he would take it if successful.

Three out of my 4 cues are slumped and keep doing it despite lots of water and feed. I will try giving them even more, but it is odd the one plant is fine? They do seem to be a mixture of varieties though judging by the different fruit on them.

Your OH's comment about my painting made me smile Mel. :-) He's done really well getting so much of the hedge done. One day doing it would mean a week's rest after for me! Knowing him I bet he's made a good job of it too.

Yes Mandy, it was a big change from those grey towers wasn't it. It was good to paint something different though. The teacher has to submit his courses to the WEA for approval and he told us he had done that last week and to look out for them, as they decide when to advertise them not him. The WEA members get notified about courses first (I'm not a member) and then they get advertised on the WEA site. I'd been looking every morning, but these were put on in the evening. There are other art courses with vacancies, but I did a short one with one lady and all we seemed to do was mix different colours together and make charts saying what we'd mixed. We didn't do a painting till the last lesson! One is plein air walking about sketching so not my sort of thing or good for my knees, another is well being focussed with breathing exercises. The lady who did watercolour that I enjoyed doesn't do online ones now.

Vera, a strawberry tea sounds delicious and lovely to sit outside and have too!

I'd better get a move on now as we start soon.

Just showed him and he said clever little beast. He liked it.

Morning girls,

Its about the same here this mrning grey cloudy sky 16 degrees and pc says partly sunny.

Its been a funny old year I think. All my flowers seem to have grown very tall this year. The strawberry leaves are taller and the candleabra primroses were much taller and the hostas are bigger and hav'nt had any special treatment this year as we have been busy with other things.

The box hedge is coming along nicely He's done all down one side and is fighting the very thick bit at the mo which means he has a job to get right over it on the top. Once he gets past this it should be easier for him as it dos'nt grow so much on the east side and he has cut most of the top off so theres only about a foot to cut off the top. The only thing is he has to cut a lot of one of the bramley apple back or he won't get the tower against the hedhge as it has grown over it.

Ann the painting was very different but what a hit with the colours. very good as usual and I must show oh today.

Good morning all, a very dull morning here with complete cloud cover but already 15 degrees. It was a very muggy night, I kept waking and going back to sleep and finall woke at 0815. Not sure what I am doing today might be seeing my friend for coffee but she has business to attend to first so not sure.

As I said in my email Vera, I love your farde, just my sort of place, looks very relaxing and you should sit out there more.

And Ann as I also said in your email I love the colours of the latest painting big and bold. I can imagine that large size in a big room, very impressive.
How do the classes get filled up before you get a chance to join, has he been holding them for a long time and notifies his older students first? I hope somebody drops out for you.

Mandy I don't think I have seen a ohoto of your frony and back gardens so they are difficult to picture. (hint hint).

Morning Vera,morning all,

Very overcast here and windy , by the look of the sky it looks like it could rain which the garden badly needs .

Ann that latest painting is lovely with the bright colours such a difference from the grey water towers .
It's a shame that chap doesn't email his regular painters when he is starting his next course then you would stand a chance of getting on the course ,fingers crossed they have a cancellation like last game.

Vera your garden looks lovely and colourful and those grasses must sway in the wind and be very relaxing to watch its nice to see a natural garden .
You can't beat the fresh veg from the markets I've been getting the new potatoes from ours and they are such easy scrapers with a lovely taste and we've had some nice strawberries too .
Enjoy your strawberry tea .

How's the hedge cutting going Mel is he half way yet .

Anng sounds as if you've found a good chap there to do any garden jobs you can't manage he seems a nice helpful chap and handy that he can do a bit of painting too.

I need to get in the front garden this morning to do a bit of dead heading and cut the grass then we can get all that to the tip before it starts getting hot at the weekend and the rubbish turns smelly .

Good morning all

It’s going to be another hot day. It’s already 17 degrees but cloudy again. It was a very warm night but I slept quite well, waking a lot but going back to sleep quickly each time.

What a shame that you couldn’t get on the art course you wanted Ann. Perhaps there’ll be a cancellation like last time and you’ll be offered the place. He’s obviously a popular teacher. It’s good that you’ve found somewhere to get your next jab.

I’m going to venture to the market today for the first time in a long, long while. I want some fresh veg that I’ve chosen rather than veg the supermarket has delivered. Then this afternoon we are going to a strawberry tea in aid of a local heart charity. We used to go every year and it’s always a good event but this is the first time they have held it for 3 years. It’s not advertised generally so shouldn’t be too crowded and it’s held outdoors so it’s as safe as it can be.

I had a cup of tea an hour ago but haven’t dressed or had any breakfast yet so I’d better get moving. Might bbl.

No I didn't take pity on OH and do a lunch.......he got himself something easy instead as he was home before me and was hungry.

By going on the NHS site I have found a few walk in centres that are within reasonable distance and not in the city. Some are only doing children or not doing boosters, but I have found a couple of pharmacies that do seem to have boosters so I will check with those next week before I go to one of them.

Vera OH gets bad backs with sitting on childrens' chairs at the schools. Sometimes he has to have his notebook on a stool as well.......it's ridiculous really as he does the most writing, but he's not one to make a fuss.

It sounds like you have found a very obliging handy workman there AnnG who will help with with odd jobs you need doing. Is it the front or the back garden you are gravelling some of? We have gravel on both and have no lawn at all. It is a good idea he has of raising it up so you don't need to dig out soil. We have slate chipped a couple of areas and I like those better as they are easier to walk on, overlap so even less weeds come through and the layer of them doesn't need to be as thick. It will save you some work and make things easier though which is good. We were going to make life easier by replacing our side fence with a maintenance free one, but have decided it would be ruined by the virginia creeper and ivy the neighbour lets grow all over, up and through our fence. He allowed it to break the wood fence panels apart forcing it's way through on our last fence and is doing the same again now with the replaced panels. We have told him several times over the years and he eventually gets it cut back, but doesn't dig it out so it grows back again. The virginia creeper this year is now going along the back of our concrete bottom fence in the field and is climbing up the blackthorne tree behind our fence as well. Even OH's patience is wearing thin and he's decided that if our fence is left to fall down so their dog can get out they may take some notice. The man is getting less mobile like us, so things won't get any better. Strangely he doesn't have anything growing up his own fence on the opposite side of the garden.

Well, the art teacher's autumn courses for landscape were put online last night and one of the girls on the course had messaged me to let me know this morning, but by the time I went out out at 9.00am all the places had been taken! he does two, one wednesdays and one thursdays but both were full, so I've put myself on the waiting list to see if there are any cancellations like last time. He may be doing a portrait one again like before, so I might try and join that instead if I'm quick enough. :-S

Good afternoon all

It’s very warm again today but not much sun and still no sign of any rain. According to the weather app on my phone there’s no rain expected for at least the next 10 days. I think we’ll be down to a choice of letting the garden plants die or watering everything and running up a big water bill. Our one small water butt has long since been emptied. We shouldn’t complain when we get good weather but just a little rain would be nice.

It sounds s though your man is doing a good job with your drive AnnG. It will look great in a couple of weeks’ time when the burning and weed killing has done the job and he has filled in the gaps. He sounds quite a find. It’s always handy to know people who will do all those odd jobs that we can’t manage and do them at a reasonable price.

Your poor OH Ann – no breakfast and not much lunch by the sound of it. He’ll be fading away! What a faff trying to get your 4th jab set up. Perhaps you had better move here. I’ve just checked our surgery’s website and it says that Covid vaccine appointments are available if you are over 75 and it is 3 months since your last vaccination. I sometimes think we don’t appreciate how lucky we are with the medical services round here.

Sitting out in your garden sounds really relaxing Mandy and makes me think we should do that more. We seldom just sit in ours and enjoy it. I have tried to read out there a couple of times but it is a bit of a suntrap and the sun glares off my kindle or iPad screen which is what I mainly use for reading these days. I even borrow library books on my iPad as it means that I don’t have to choose my books during library opening hours but can browse the shelves late at night if I want.

I had a really thorough dust and vacuum through this morning, including moving as much furniture as I could so by lunchtime my back was quite painful. Since then friends have called to see how OH is (he’s absolutely fine). We made a cup of tea and while we were drinking that I sat on a low stool and for the last hour I have been sitting at the computer. I don’t help myself do I? I think I might shortly be taking a painkiller which I avoid as much as I can.

Today’s my daughter’s birthday. How can I have a child of 57 when I’m only 35 myself? Well, in my dreams I’m only 35.

Enjoy whatever you are doing for the rest of the day and have a good night’s rest tonight.

pleased with the drive so far but it will look better once the weed killer takes out the remaining bits of weed and he fills the cracks between block with the compound they use. He won't charge me for the return visit to do that probably next week.

2 birds 1 stone. He is going to do that garden bit I want doing. He was apparently a gardener originally then has gradually branched out doing all sorts as he found people wanted small jobs doing when they were too busy to do them or, as they got older couldn't manage. He has gradually built up a client base, from about a year ago, and gets jobs by recommendation and he doesn't believe in over charging. While looking at the garden, he fetched his steps and his lopper and finished off lopping the rambler. and when I said to add it to his bill he said. 'don't be silly'. He is also going to paint the bit over the garage door which is flaking off and repaint the blue surround as well. But I might have to get some more paint for that. I am going to have the garden area graveled He suggested boxing it in and raising it slightly which would eliminate digging it all out and having to hire a skip to get rid of the soil. He showed me where he has done it before in a garden so it means a step up onto that part which is fine. I can then put containers on it. He said gravel is cheaper to do, to make it into another patio would be expensive and not really necessary as I already have two patios.

Ann, a mystery which you will never solve I reckon, the newspapers.

did you take pity on OH and get hom some lunch?

That is strange about the vaccinations. Only just now I saw on line that our community centre still has vaccinations for those who want them.

Morning All,

Sunny and 19 degrees here. I was up fairly early and OH went to a breakfast business meeting at the council a mile away. He's been before and they are open to enyone if you book and they have speakers on various things. This week was to do with green initiatives for businesses. I decided to try the garden centre and see if they had any of a particular alpine I want that's in flower now with pretty pink flowers. I have it elsewhere in the garden. It was very quiet at the garden centre, they didn't have the plant I wanted so I had a browse and called in the cafe for a breakfast as no-one else was in there. No need to get a lunch then I thought, but when I got home OH said they only had croissants this time, and which are no good with him now pre diabetic, so he got no breakfast and I'm not doing lunch!

I'm getting nowhere fast with trying to sort out my 4th covid jab due next week. I was going to call in our chemist, but when I rang they said they have stopped doing them. I rang the surgery to see if they were doing them, but they said they have stopped and won't be starting till September now. They suggested another chemist to me and I rang them and they have stopped as they have run out of vaccines! I then rang the little hospital where we saw people queuing to get them when we went to the factory shop last week and they have stopped doing them as well. It seems the only way to get one now is to ring the 119 booking number and when I checked that a couple of days ago it just showed the main hospitals in the city. So it's another fiasco with little advice for those of us reaching 75 now. It's already over 6 months since my last booster, so that will have waned a lot. I bet a lot of people who are reaching 75 now won't bother and will just be at extra risk till after September or whenever they are called. :-(

That sounded like a nice relax in the garden Mandy. :-) Yes, we thought someone isn't getting their paper and would have reported it too, but with the shop speaking little english I'm not sure they would have understood. They actually put the paper inside the wheelie bin and OH only realised as he spotted it was a different paper to ours when he went to add something to the bin himself. It could have been going on for months and months!! We know we aren't being charged for them as we have discount coupons for our papers and the shop is unable to understand how to work out what to charge us, so OH has to work it out and tell them/write it down for them himself. The person delivering must find they have a surplus paper so stick it in our bin that's handy to use.

You have reminded me AnnG that I must arrange a qoute for getting our drive cleaned.

Mel keep an eye on your OH up that tower! Has he managed to do much of it yet? I have washing out too.