General Chat

Good afternoon. We drove to Keswick today as we had Inara again and needed a walk to keep her occupied. Another car journey filled with chatter. I was going along thinking of the times I had driven in peace with Tony looking at the mountains and thinking to myself. “Who knew I would end up being ferried around in the back of the car like the children?” Of course I am grateful and such is life but it is still hard.
Anyway we walked down to the theatre by the lake and had coffee. I had crisps and daughter and I had a piece of shortbread between us. We then walked on down the path by Derwent water looking at the boats and ducks and geese until we came to the view point looking across the lake to Cat Bells and other ranges. Unfortunately the sun didn’t shine but it was dry and fairly clear. All the time we are walking Inara is running and jumping she is never still.

On the way back to the town we diverted into Crow park where there is a beautiful view right down the lake so Inara had a lovely run up and down the grassy slopes in the park.. Back along the lane again past the pretty Hope park with its beautiful flower beds and then the crazy golf and pitch and putt Until we reached the town where daughter took I into Mountain Wharehouse and bought her two pairs of trainers reduced in the sale plus socks and a light fleecy top. Detoured into Booths for milk and a couple of things then back in the car home. Lunch a bit late then Nanny took Inara down the park while I stayed writing this. We walked 2.9 miles according to daughter.

Oh that's a great, upbeat song and will be stuck in my head now Mel. My friend and I watched them rehearsing at Stoneleigh Show in the 60s and this was the song they were singing as we stumbled across them as we walked around before the show opened. My friend's mum had taken us with her as she was working doing market research there that day. I loved Mama Cass's voice and how strange that The Who guitarist Keith Moon died in the same room in a flat that she did at 9 Curzon Place, Mayfair.

We were over an hour and a half at the opticians and they only did my eyetest as they said OH only needs one every 2 years now since his cataracts were done. OH pointed out that his last test said to come back in a year and when she checked their records he was right. It seems that was wrong advice now. :-S Anyway, the optician still thinks I am some way off being referred for my cataracts, but decided to refer me anyway when I pointed out the difficulties they are causing. She thinks there is a 6 month wait to be seen, which is half what it is where she comes from in Solihull and then of course another wait before getting them done. They can only say no, in which case I will seriously think about going private.

We had lunch when we got back, so were either in the kitchen or the diner end of the lounge. How annoying then to find a card through the front door from the Royal Mail, saying they had taken a parcel back!! The doorbell is in a plug socket in the kitchen so there's no way we wouldn't have heard it. :-(

Back to my paperwork now, then maybe the walk.

I seem to have this song on my brain this morning so I thought I would share it with you. He he he

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

Morning you two and all,

Its dull and grey here this mroning but I don't think theres much in the way of a breeze or wind which will be good.

Ann I did'nt know about keeping acrylic paint like that I usuall put a little water on it and cover it with cling film but I do now thank you. I have a lot of those Ferrero Rocher boxes as I keep my makes in them and coloured sweet papers and all sorts as they stack nicely in the bookcase.

My earache did'nt keep me awake last night in fact I went to bed just after 11pm as I could'nt keep my eyes open watching the telly so that was really early for me. I woke up at nine so got a good few hours in last night and up just once for the loo.

Morning All,

Quite a dull morning here and 7 degrees. It sounds like you will have a busy time today Vera so be careful with your back. The talk later should be interesting.

It is lovely to watch the lambs this time of year isn't it AnnG. There are a few in the fields on the way to the farm shop here now and they are snowy white next to their mums.

It's eye tests for us at Boots on the retail park down the road this morning and OH has an online meeting this afternoon. I need to sort a maturing investment out and other paperwork. If it stays fine I might move the purple michaelmas daisy to a more suitable place as it isn't a dwarf one like it said and also do some tidying up of the island beds as I have a few new rock plants to put in.

As Vera says, best make a start! :-)

Good morning all

It’s a bright day here but still very chilly. It’s supposed to warm up a bit over the next couple of days so fingers crossed.

Mel, I hope your earache didn’t keep you awake during the night and you feel better now.

Yesterday I seemed to be busy all day without having much to show for it. I washed the towels, cooked our Sunday dinner and did a food order but I can’t think what else I did.

Today will be busy. I want to change the beds and wash the bedding and the clothes we have worn since last time I washed, pop to the supermarket and prepare our food for today and a meal for tomorrow. We both have dental appointments in the morning some distance away and daughter and granddaughter are coming for lunch as soon as we get back so no time to do anything in the morning. Granddaughter is a vegetarian and not very good with dairy foods so feeding her an enjoyable and nourishing meal can be a challenge.

Tonight we have a club meeting with a talk about Josephine Baker, the entertainer.

If I’m going to get everything done today I had better get going. Have a good day everyone

Good morning all a bit grey here this morning but looks as though the wind has dropped. Lovely to look out of my bedroom window and see lambs with their Mums in the field next door.

Mel I use an old ceramic sideplate and find it better than the plastic palette I used to use. Acrylic paint dries out quickly as you will know. After you finish for the day, if you put the plate with the leftover paint on in a lidded box with a sheet of wet kitchen paper in the bottom and put the lid on, it will keep to re-use for several days. It saves wasting leftover paint and is usually easier to wash off. A sideplate just fits nicely in a square Ferrero Rocher box.

Sorry your ear has been hurting and did it start after your shower? If it's bad and no better tomorrow I would see the doc as it may need some antibiotics. I hope you can sleep with it and that it soon clears up.

Less subs with the food this time, but all acceptable except dates! :-S It was a good driver this time as he packed all the groceries into our own plastic carrier bags which few of them bother to do now. OH had set his hernia off cutting the tree down so it made it easier for him to just carry bags in. I twisted my side watering my seeds as OH had overfilled the watering cans, so we were glad when we had wiped and put it all away.

I don't unstand your post Ann??? what kind of paint will you use? If its acrylic it would come off aof a dinner plate ok as I use china pallets fior mine and for watercolour. When I put it on plastic ones I could'nt get it off so ruined a new plastic pallet.

Iv'e got my ear ache and its really bad when I swollow or look up and even if I raise my eyebrowes. Think I will put my hat on to warm it up.

Afternoon All,

I had lots of ZZzzzz last night but still wasn't up till 10.00am this morning. First thing I did was the 2 lap walk before I lost motivation. I just ambled along as I'd woken with pains down my shins, but was ok once I got up. I said to OH that I wondered if some of our strange aches and pains now were aftermaths of covid. I read somewhere from a study done that there is a 33 fold risk of dvts for 6 months afterwards.

Mandy those little bunny bags with the easter eggs inside are so lovely. You do come up with interesting ideas. I'm glad DIL is still testing negative and that Lewis is ok. At least he has the exciting distraction of Easter being just around the corner! :-D

I think OH was really pleased his mole was such a simple job and didn't even need any stitches. He has a couple more small ones and the doctor said they were exactly the same and harmless but could be zapped if they were a nuisance.

Vera, a friend started covid with just feeling under the weather, so it was best to cancel the meal as you say till he feels better. I've bought some sanitiser that kills norovirus now OH is visiting schools again as that is rife now and alcohol ones that kill covid don't kill norovirus.

Mel, a pamper day sounds good and you deserve it with all you do. No chance here as it is the food drop this afternoon. I told OH I MUST get another Ferrero Rocher so I can have the square plastic box for using for another plate on damp kitchen roll for my mixed paints!! lol I must get those other seeds planted later too.

OH has cut down more of the too big Acer that has to go and set his hernia off so will have to be careful bringing the shopping in. There's only about 2 foot of trunk left now, but we'll have to be careful to try and cut the roots off near the trunk if we can as there is buried electric cable near it we don't want to disturb.

Hope you have a nice day whatever you do AnnG.

Had a lovely shower.

Good morning, a nice bright sunny morning here and so far I am the only one up. A family sort of day today. Littlest family member probably coming round this morning to see us plus big sister I am sure. And this afternoon SiL’s daughter plus Amber the dog is calling in.

Vera yes those ice creams are very popular and daughter says they are very nice. Shame your meal was cancelled probably just as well whatever he has got you don’t want to catch it.

Just had to retyoe that, the only time I lose posts is on the I pad I have to be careful when holding it not to touch the screen in the wrong place.

Mandy love the little bunny bags, I assume you machine wash them not hand stitch?

Ann good for you to get painting again, I look forward to the results.

Morning all,

Frosty here but sunny so it's soon disappearing looks like it should be a nice day ,we've nothing planned I did get a chicken out of the freezer for today but we've decided to have that roasted tomorrow and we will have something easy like a macaroni cheese .

Ann thats good OH got his Mole treated and that it was nothing serious one thing less to worry about .
Lewis has been OK with the covid son said you wouldn't know he had it but he has lots of spots from the chicken pox , DIL has a sore throat and she's tested three times and each time was negative.

Anng sounds as if you enjoyed your walk even if it was a bit on the chilly side ,gave you some rosy cheeks I expect .

Mel you have a nice pamper day .

Good morning Mel and all

It’s sunny and bright at the moment but still quite chilly. I had a better night last night, after a sleepless one the day before. I hope you all snored the night away.

It sounds like a nice, but cold, trip to Maryport AnnG. The ice creams sound good. I bet the cafe gets long queues for them when the weather is warm.

Poor little Lewis. I hope the chicken pox isn’t making him too uncomfortable. Those Easter bunny bags are really sweet Mandy. You do have some good ideas.

It’s good that OH’s mole was harmless and the hospital dealt with it quickly, Ann. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your artwork now you have got on the painting course again.

I did nothing much yesterday. After a totally sleepless night I felt washed out and was relieved when our neighbours cancelled the meal out we were supposed to be having with them. The man was feeling a bit under the weather so decided not to take any chances. That’s the second time we have booked a table at that particular restaurant and then had to cancel. They won’t want to take a booking from us again.

Time to have some breakfast and get the day started. I don’t have any plans and will just take the day as it comes.

Morning all,

Frosty start but the suns out so it will soon burn it off. Nothing planned for today but I think I may pamper myself today and have a lazy shower and wash my hair.

I think there are car parks in Gloucester where you need that app to pay. They really do seem to want to phase out cash.

Looks like tomorrow might be sunny as well but not sure what we are doing might be a go nowhere day and might actually get to see Senua if they bring her round.

Happy ZZZZZZZZZZZZ's to you too Ann.

Yes it sounds like an enjoyable trip AnnG. I would have been wanting one of those icecreams, but expensive for 4 children isn't it.

Mel I haven't done much today either! Just watered the greenhouse, a bit of hoovering and sorted some paperwork.........oh and I've lost that temporary filling the dentist did recently, so not a happy bunny. :-S

I forgot to say that OH noticed a new carpark in the city where you can only use an APP to pay!! We couldn't park there with our old mobiles. I think the world is moving so fast we are getting left behind.

He said he noticed travelling to the match that there were a lot more wind turbines than there were before the pandemic, some near where our Jane lived and further on south too. The traffic was ok though so that was good.

Off to bed now so I hope you all sleep tight and that young Lewis is ok. I want to get up early tomorrow if I sleep well. Happy ZZZZzzzzzzz everyone. :-)

Sounds like you had a nice time even if the tide was out.

Not done a thing this afternoon except feed the chickens again. Have faffed about all afternoon not doing anything much.

Well this morning it was a cup of coffee my Mary Port’s harbour people watching. Tide was out so plenty of mud to see. This cafe sells ice creams of all shapes and sizes and flavours one lady came in with four children for I ecreams, took them ages to choose what they wanted, what flavour ice cream and which dip on the cone. (All different colour choices and hundreds and thousands etc) those ice creams were £2.90 each. These were locals not holiday makers. Probably a Saturday treat..
After coffee we drove and parked further down in Mary Port and had a bftsk walk along the promenade. The sun was in and out but the stiff breeze was really icy cold. The ride was out but Scotland across the Solway Firth was very clear.