General Chat

Anng do you never say goodnight to Alexa? I do every night to my Echo and she replies with many answers. Give it a go and a good morning too.

I have fed the christmas tree in the big pot cut back the mint so I can see the steps weeded the sweet peas and done a wash. Fed the chickens and bantam and opened up the little greenhouse.. Put some castings inand have been looking for my bottle of spirt to clean my varnish brush in but do you think I can find it? Nnnnnooooooo I had it the other week and it needed cleaning out and some fresh put in. I must have put it somewhere safe never to be found again.

Good morning all. i have just had a conversation with alexa, I asked her what the temperature is and she says it is 15 degrees at the moment and today I can expect a high of 19 degrees. she also said if I was interested she could give me an up date on traffic to which I replied 'no thank you' and she replied you're welcome. Nice to have somebody to chat to :-D

I think it highly likely that this morning it will be gardening although before I had my shower my back was a bit stiff so I will be careful not to stretch too much. I have a friend coming this afternoon so that will be good. And I suppose I should show the floor the vacuum cleaner and the furniture a duster. But we shall see.

Morning Mel and all

Mel, I think I’ve almost forgotten how to sleep!

It’s 14 degrees and looks like another nice day ahead. Nothing special planned, just boring things like the washing and h/w. What are the rest of you up to?

Morning all,

Quite bright this morning but lots of clouds inthe sky and only blue bits here and there and pc says 12 degrees and sunny so I hope it brightens up a bit more later on.

Nothing planned for he day so will see how it takes me.

Hope those who don't sleep well got enough Zzzzz's in last night.

I can see you have all been busy today. I’ve had quite a productive day too.

I went for a walk fairly early this morning and tried to move a bit more briskly than yesterday. I didn’t go far, no more than a mile, but I was dragging my feet by the time I got back. I do find it frustrating as I’ve always enjoyed walking and could go at a good pace for longish distances. I’ll just have to keep doing a bit each day if I can and hope I improve.

OH likes his Sunday roast but I forgot to take a joint out of the freezer to defrost so I went to the freezer in the garage to get out some mince for a shepherd’s pie and came across a large turkey breast joint. I remembered buying it as an emergency Christmas dinner in case Covid stopped us going to our daughter. It said it was best cooked from frozen so that was today’s roast. It was very tender and the remainder will do the two of us for dinner for at least two more days.

While that was cooking we tackled sorting out the furniture for the coffee morning. You are absolutely right Ann, it was worse than doing a jigsaw trying to fit tables, chairs etc in while giving people space to get up and talk to each other, wander across to look at the books for sale etc. but I think we’ve worked out a plan now with 3 tables that will seat at least 16, 18 if they squash up a bit, a bench for 3 with an old long coffee table for their cups and plates and a few individual chairs with little side tables. Books etc can go on a wooden tea trolley and the bric-a-brac on a wallpaper pasting table. Ends of a couple of paths will be blocked but folk can still walk around to look at the plants in the garden if they wish. I won’t be able to find out till mid-week if there is to be a raffle or a tombola. If there is we will put them on “good” tables that I won’t have in the garden and they can sit just inside the patio doors to the lounge. We’ve made sure we’ve got space to leave the doors open. I’ve got paper plates and made sure I’ve got enough mugs, tea and coffee. Now all I have to do is check I’ve got serviettes, ask a friend to lend me another kettle, get some extra milk and hope it doesn’t rain.

Having thoroughly bored you all with my shenanigans I’m now going outside to do some deadheading.

Hope everyone sleeps well tonight.

I made sausage rolls this morning for tea tonight and then did a bit of painting on my casts. Did lunch and we missed the first 27 laps of the grand prix because oh thought it was on at 2 pm and they put it on at 12 noon.

Had a walk right round the garden this afternoon and took some pics of the flowers as my flat iris's are out. I think they are chinese ones but not sure but they are lovely and have spread really well. I shall be able to move some next year.

corned the chickens and washed up so now I am going to have a nice cuppa and mybe a bun but first I want to put some more casts in so I can try different colours on them.

Spare bed re-made and other washing dried and in the airing cupboard. One lot of towels dried and last lot in. four of the plants bought yesterday are now planted in tubs. All vulnerable plants sprayed with garlic mixture A few more hardy geraniums pulled up to stop them spreading and a few weeds as well. Only spent three quarters of an hour out there. It is sun and cloud but 18 degrees so fairly warm. I think a rest now until after lunch. Luckily as I went to Tesco with daughter on Friday I was able to cancel the delivery for today so didn't have that to do.

Morning All,

I woke up twice in the night but slept quite well and seem to feel much better today. We were up early and out cutting back a shrub next to the tree that gets taken down on Wednesday. I hadn't realised how much it had grown so I trimmed it back where it was close to the neighbour's drive too. It's made my back ache but at least my knees are still ok. OH dug out a nice pink geranium I wanted to keep, but it was covered in a white fungus? on the lower stems so it's gone in the garden bin. OH has just about filled the garden bin with weeds off the front so it looks better now. I also tied up the toms and cues and we have some 2 inch cues now and lots of flowers. I went out and watered some pots and the beans, so have done enough out there now. There are 4 inch long beans coming on the Cobra climbing beans but just flowers on the runners.

That jigsaw will be a challenge for your granddaughter now then AnnG! My word you have been busy getting things done since you got back!

Vera it sounds like you are doing a jigsaw in the garden so everything will be in place for your meeting. Careful with your backs though! That's a good idea to ban parking for an hour to stop the car sharers parking. We'll have to see what happens next. I hope you manage another walk. You walked quite a way yesterday and a nice river walk too. I like walking by water as thee is more to see. I must look up those Demoiselles you saw.

I hope you find some energy Mel. You have been working hard in the garden lately though, so will have used a lot up! ;-)

I've made a start on sketching my painting for this week and think I must have picked the hardest one this time!

good morning all, blue sky and sunny here and not quite so windy.

Had to be up early this morning as daughter and SiL left just before 0730 for home. I have one lot of washing (their bedding finished and in the drier and a towel wash in the washing machine. I have also half blitzed the kitchen (i.e. cleaned surfaces, sink and floor. (floor swept not get washed!!). I feel as if it is nearly time for bed. :-D I didn't sleep that well knowing I had to get up early and my alarm scrambled the time and alarm time and I couldn't remember how to put it right at midnight when it woke me up. so no alarm set meant not much sleep.

So plenty to do today, the house is not too bad as we were away but the lounge floor need doing. And then there is the garden............

Good morning

Another hot, sticky restless night. It looks as though it is going to be a beautiful day again. There’s nothing particular planned but I might try to get in a walk again and then move garden furniture and pots about to work out how to fit everything in for our Club coffee morning next Saturday. There are 26 members and I think most will come and need somewhere to sit, plus I need somewhere for the sale of bric-a-brac, plants and books. There’s often a tombola as well but no-one has said they are doing that this year.

It’s another granddaughter’s birthday today so I must text her a greeting. I’ve sent her a card of course but they often don’t seem to arrive in time, even with a 1st class stamp so I usually send a text on the day.

Morning all,

It looks lie its going to be a nice day as the suns out already and the skies blue with big white clouds o the horizon. Pc says 12 degrees sunny and then it changes to humid.

Hope its not too hot. Lots I want to do but not the energy to do it with.

Hope you had a better night Vera and everyone else slept well.

I am pleased it is finished Vera. it was getting a bit stressful and the light in that room s not good. Daughter with her younger eyes was very methodical with her approach and did soe before we went away and some when we came back. I won't do another one during the summer as there is too much to do in the garden, but I do have one of daughters to do at Christmas time, it looks like there are lots of bits with good definition.

With our grandsons T always seemed to be fixing things for them and with them But they did all like to be organised into projects, that would include drawing, painting, photography for the older one and treasure hunts etc. These are daughters three as we had them more than son's two. they still talk about the projects now.

Thank you for the jigsaw photos AnnG. It’s a nice picture but I can see why it would have been difficult to do. Are you relieved it’s finished and will you be doing another one soon?

I’m not sure that company is really wise to offer a bonus for car sharing. People will always take advantage when they can. They gain anyway if two or more people travel in the same car as I assume they would share costs. Years ago people travelling to work in London from outlying villages round here would travel to our nearest mainline station and catch the train from there. Rather than pay fees at the station car park they would park in the road alongside often making it very difficult for residents to get in and out of their driveways. Eventually the local council put up signs banning parking in that street between 10 am and 11 am, which stopped the commuters leaving their cars there all day. Maybe your local authorities could do something similar Ann.

You seem to be getting a lot done outside Mel. Don’t overdo it and cause more hip and arm problems. I have trouble keeping on top of our pocket handkerchief of a garden so I don’t know how you manage with your huge plot.

Did you have a good day with Lewis Mandy? Boys might not be keen on sewing and knitting but they often like to cook with Grandma, particularly if they can take something home to Mum and Dad. I also found our grandson just liked to be with my OH whatever he was doing so would happily “help” to mow the lawn or clean the car. Occasionally OH would do a bit of woodwork with him and they made one or two basic toys and games. As for the turtle beach, I am not sure what the situation is. I think it may be like one we went to in Turkey a few years ago. The public were allowed on the beach during the day but there were people patrolling making sure they weren’t disturbing the nests. Then the beach was closed to the public from 7 in the evening till the following morning as the turtles would come to lay their eggs at night. I’ll have to ask granddaughter next time we text.

I decided this morning that I would like to walk down to the river and have a little stroll alongside and see how the swans were doing, but since seizing up a couple of times I have lost a bit of confidence about being out on my own. I am fine around the roads because if I have problems I can phone OH and he’ll come and get me in the car but I am wary of being on my own where a car couldn’t get. Pathetic aren’t I? Anyway OH said he would come with me. We went out by 10 am as I wanted to go before it got too hot. It was more a gentle stroll than a brisk walk but we still did 2.5 miles by the time we got back. It was really pleasant. The canoe club and the rowing club were both out practicing so there was lots to see. There was no sign of the swans so I guess they have taken their cygnets and moved up or down river. The vegetation along the river bank is allowed to grow tall and dense for the wildlife, although little areas are cleared along the way with the odd seat so that you can see the river. Flying up from this vegetation (nettles, thistles etc) were loads of what looked like small, fast flying black butterflies. It was hard to really see them as they moved so fast but I got the odd glimpse of a dark metallic blue. Then one landed on a leaf right by us and it wasn’t a butterfly at all but some sort of dragonfly! We stayed very still and watched it until it flew away. It looked as though it had black wings coming from halfway down its body but that was because it had dark bands on the mid to lower part of its wings so you didn’t notice the more transparent part above and below the band. Anyway I did some research when we got back and my black butterflies appear to be Banded Demoiselles. Apparently they are not uncommon near slow running rivers though I have not seen them here before.

After lunch I felt so tired that I went and laid down and tried to sleep. I can’t remember the last time I laid down in the day. I slept in total for between an hour and an hour and a half but in three lots of 20-30 minutes. I think it is going to be a hot, sticky night again. It’s 17 degrees at the moment but the wind we had earlier has died down and there is hardly a breath of air. Never mind, let’s be positive. Tonight WILL be a good night.

You got on well today after all Mel. Is it one of the early Montana type Clematis that you are cutting back? They get in a right tangle don't they. That is just the sort of thing OH does when I have got stuck into something in the garden. Usually it's a nice COT to sit in the arbour to rest and drink while we have a chinwag. Then, as you say, you have lost the wherewithall to carry on again.

I did manage to plant the wall pots, but needed an extra plant in the front of each, so had a look in the garden and found 2 self set Violas, so I have popped those in to fill the gap. I'll put them back on the wall tomorrow as it was a bit windy this afternoon.

Some people are never happy with their lot.

I have worn myself out in the garden this afternoon cutting back more of the clematis and clearing up the mess under it and trying to tie the Albatine rose in a bit so I can get to the fence and get the ivy off. Then just as I was getting on ok oh called me for a G & T at my pond and now I am all relaxed and don't want to do anything.

Yes their cost in fuel to the village will be the same Mel, but these people either can't or don't really want to share, (they may travel from opposite directions!) but they still want the bonus each that they get if they turn up at work sharing a car. They are being crafty to get the bonus. As AnnG says, the council may start charging for street parking, which would upset a lot of locals. Businesses may be having to demonstrate what they are doing to be 'green' now and it is a good idea if it meant the mile traffic jam through the village in the morning and evening was much less with less cars. Also the employer has already turned 2 fields into carparks for them with floodlights, but perhaps it still isn't enough.

Surely if they to the village and park and then get in a friends car to go into work they are still using their petrol or diesel to get to the village so I hope the bonus is better than the cost of fuel.

I have had a little play with my moulds and just put another lot in. I have moulded something with a bubble in it that I missed so the mould I took all come out with a great gapping hole in the mouth bit and its a tiny cow creamer.

I have fed the strawberries and picke dup a bit of the plant I cut down as the trailer was brought around the back for me. I still have to put the clematis cuttings in it yet and tie the climbing rose up as its hanging near the greenhouse.

gosh ann, there is always that group of people who want something for nothing and spoil it for others. The next thing will be the council will charge for parking over an hour so that will deter them.

sometimes little boys just want to play so maybe Lewis will be happy doing that Mandy. What about board games?

Afternoon All,

I slept well last night but keep waking really early at about 5.00am. Neither of us felt well yesterday afternoon, just really tired and yawning with no energy and not fancying eating, so we didn't do much other than paperwork. We both feel much better today so I may put the new plants in the front wall pots a bit later on.

Glad your journey home was ok AnnG. We find Fridays tend to be busier with traffic than Saturdays for long trips which is not what you would expect. You were lucky to have some nice sunny weather too.

Don't do too much Mel and make your hip and arm worse! Yes it was good them finding the old galleon wasn't it. That ship's bell was heavy at 10 stones wasn't it. I wonder what sorts of other things they will find.

I hope you manage to find things to do with Lewis Mandy. Would he like decorating his own pizza to cook and take home or to make some ice lollies?. It is more difficult to do things at home with a boy as you say.

Apparently one of the big employers based here is paying staff a bonus if they carshare. Sounds a good idea in theory doesn't it? What we have been told though is that some are parking their cars in the village, then saying they are car sharing to get the bonus! No wonder we can't find space to park in the village.

Sorry you had a bad night Vera and I hope tonight is better. It's 19 degrees here now but seems cooler as there is quite a breeze.

Morning all,

Brightish here this morning with some sun here and there but mostly a cloudy sky with little patches of blue. Its 15 degrees here this morning.

Just have the shop to do this mroning for the paper and some bits and then I may go in the garden for a bit but I am very achey today so far. It may ease off once I get going but I hav'nt been up that long.

Mandy does Lewis not like making things? You would think grandad would find something to occupy him being a boy.

What about the ship off the norfolk coast? I shall be Please to see a program or two on the things they find and hope they can raise it like the Marie Rose. The cannon looked huge on the telly and they did show a couple of finds and the ships bell which they had brought up. I love it when they find an old gallion and to see all the thingsused by the people in the past.

Sorry you had another bad night Vera and hope your not too tired today to get something done so you feel fulfilled.

Hope Ann had a better night too as I think she said she's had a bad one.