General Chat

Gone as far as I can with first glove now until I locate a cable needle can’t find mine anywhere. Hopefully Cynth May have one but it will have to wait until tomorrow.

Enjoy the party Mandy, and yes what did you get them in the end?

Ann short and often is a good idea to get back to walking. It will loosen the joints up a bit.
I had not realised you were making the gloves as well, you have shot ahead of me although I had to wait for the wool and am fitting the knitting in between card making and the jigsaw which is progressing almost piece by piece. It i s a real devil. I have only done about 8 rows of the rib of one glove.

Vera you have had a nice day so far. Wow bespoke earings. Sadly I can 't wear mine any more as the holes closed up mainly during the first lockdown when I didn't put any in., I b=never was a great one for wearing them all the time though Ah a special birthday are you catching me up? Will you be doing anything special?

This morning I walked to the Naafi store which is now actually a cost cutter, which was frustrating because although they had loads of milk (which confusingly is supplied by the Coop), it was all best before either 7th or 9th, too short for me I want it for the 10th. Anyway I got the paper and a magazine. Only a short walk a bit longer than when I go to the post box but along a main road so not that pleasant. Interesting to note that, even in that small shop staff and cutomers were all wearing masks.

We had quite a heavy frost first thing. Most of the morning has been nice and bright but it’s really cold. It’s come as a bit of a shock to the system after the last few milder days. If it was just a little bit warmer it would be a good day to do a bit in the garden but it’s too cold out there for me.

Enjoy the party today Mandy

What a shame the parkland around the ice house has been “tidied up” so much Ann. Places like that are much better just controlled enough to stop nature taking over completely.

We’ve had a good morning. OH asked me what I want for my birthday and I mentioned a couple of “everyday” things but, as it’s a big 0 birthday, he wanted to get me something more special. I do like earrings so suggested that, thinking they are available at all prices so he can choose something in his price range. Last night he told me that we had an appointment at 10 this morning with a bespoke jeweller. This chap now concentrates mainly on rings and necklaces but said he could make something for me. However he had catalogues of earrings he could get in for us but they are made to order rather than being mass produced. We’ve picked out a few and he is going to get prices for us but gave us a rough idea of likely costs. I nearly passed out but OH just said “that’s fine”.

We then went next door to a French owned cafe that is housed in a beautifully restored 14th century building that was owned in the early 1700s by a wealthy clothier who was the uncle of the artist Thomas Gainsborough. Being French the coffee is excellent and if you are having their basic filter coffee they come round with top ups. We also had a freshly baked fruit scone with butter and jam.

Then on the way back we passed the bookstall outside the Sally Army charity shop. Well, I couldn’t resist could I? I got another 3 books, all paperbacks and 2 of them look new. So much for trying to clear some of the bookshelves. I only got rid of 12 books and I’m already buying more :-D. As I don’t know who has been handling the books I’ve put them aside for a few days and gave my hands a really good scrub when we got in.

Time to think about getting some lunch now, just a sandwich as I’m doing a shepherd‘s pie tonight.

Morning All,

I slept well and was up early this morning and showered then got poached eggs on toast.

As my knees seemed ok after the short walk round the park, yesterday we did another short walk along nearby Whistle way, which was the mineral line that led from local sandpit and a quarry in the village to the railway sidings in the next village. OH had to help me up the steep slope at the start and there was a biting cold wind at first as the track is high above the road. Further along it had trees and undergrowth either side and was more sheltered. We only walked along about 15 minutes and even OH was ready to turn back by then so we didn't get to the end! My knees feel awkward and walking feels an effort, but it isn't surprising with being home so much and I'm hoping small walks at first will improve the rusty nuts and bolts they must have in them! :-D

Mandy I bet it does seem strange going out for the surprise party for your sister and BIL, but all the more enjoyable. :-) What present did you get for them in the end?

The Pigeons were all back again in the trees this morning and then I noticed over the side fence and back of nextdoor's garden that there was a flock of them on the ground in the field as well. I stopped putting bread out over a week ago as they seemed to be eating most of it and I don't want to encourage them.

I hope you make some headway with your project oday Mel. I have knitted one of Mandy's gloves and done the rib on the other as I'm still not happy with the hat I'm knitting.

Sun's shining so I might take my camera for a spin in the car.

Hope you enjoy the surprise party Mandy and the weather stays nice.

Morning all,

Frost here but the sun has now melted it all away and it looks nice and bright out there we have my sisters and bil's surprise party this afternoon at 3 o'clock it will feel strange going out after all this time .
Think we will have a little something light for lunch or we will be really hungry by three.

Just having a coffee then I'll get the hoover going .

Morning Anng and all,

Bright morning here too and 2 degrees and pc says mostly sunny so lets hope its right.

Have to do the shop this morning for the paper and some bits.

Shall have another look at the project today and see if I can get some things right. I have lots of bits to put in it but need to make a couple of bits before I get to the interesting bit of putting all the bits in.

Good morning all quite bright again and PC says temp is2 degrees so a bit chilly but I don't think we had a frost.

Nothing planned again but may just walk to the NAAfi shop for a paper later.
Slept reasonably well although did wake a few times.

Anng if you only do a few rows now and then it will soon grow and there's not that many rows once the rib is done .

Ann what a shame they have cleared it like that I suppose they think it looks better that way but sometimes the natural look is better .

It went over really black here a while ago we had a little rain and now the suns out again .

I expect it was the pepper that upset Vera's tum. I can't eat peppers as they always seem to give me indigestion. I think its their skin as I remember having a roasted red pepper and something tart and that was lovely.

So all the bloods done now Ann and its a shame they have to change thigns thinking its for the better but in actual fact make it too clinical and unatural. I wonder where all the snowdrops ended up??? The ones round the base will soon spread. Mine in the orchard are looking good now.

I have done a bit of craft this morning but not really happy with it as I painted this thing and I think its too dark. I have peeled the pots for tonights lamb (chump joint) and now I am goingf to do the spinach so I can get on with my craft and its all ready to roll this evening when I have to do the dinner.

Carry on with the knitting Anng you'll soon get there.

rain soon stopped and it is cloudy sun but I was ralking to Cynth outside the door and it is very cold.

So just busy Ann that is good but how disappointing the park is sanatised. Much better left as it was I would have thought.

Vera I would probably have had hearrtburn after that meal although it did sound nice. maybe it was the pepper and onions. Glad you enjoyed it anyway.

Mandy I have started the gloves (well knitted two rows so far.) don't expect me to finish them as quickly as you, I don't sit at it and have a couple of cards to make as well.

Morning all,

We've had rain with a bit of sleet , we went to the farm to get eggs and you could see the sleet on the windscreen ,it's stopped now and it's getting brighter I think going by the weather forecast we should have sun later this afternoon.

Vera sounds as if you enjoyed your meal but what a shame the indigestion spoilt it ,I wonder what didn't agree with you ,you never had the bread so it wasn't that ,the bread would have laid heavy with me I can really only eat seeded bread .

Yes hope Ann's OK I think she had done some gardening so perhaps that's played her back or knees up .

Just rang the dentist to see if they have started doing check ups and she said they are but we need to wait until we've been ontacted ,its usually by letter for us but this morning we did have a couple of calls from bt messaging as it said unknown caller we hung up ,but I remember having a couple of messages like that once before and that was the dentist that's why I rang them ,she said they hadn't sent any messages out this morning so it wasn't them .

Oh Suns out .

Morning All,

Yes I was a bit busy yesterday and I didn't want to bore you with more blood tests! We actually managed a short walk later around the park next to a Hall in the next village. They have restored the ice house in the park and I wanted to see what it was like and thought I would manage the short walk ok. What they have done to the park and large pond over the last 5 years is disappointing and now I can add the ice house too, although you can pay to go inside it if you arrange it with the council. It used to be a semi wild place with lots of mature trees and although there was a footpath around it the large areas of grass were allowed to grow long with wide pathways mowed through it. Lots of birdsong and squirrels about. Now about half the trees and all the undergrowth has been cleared and the grass mown and manicured and it looks like a city park! The ice house, which was covered in snowdrops before is bare apart from a few around the base. There are far less birds now and I wonder if there will be as many squirrels. Why don't councils leave nature alone when they can and save some money as well? The only good thing was you can now see the old stable buildings behind the Hall.

I'm glad you mentioned OH's car and his aircon which still isn't fixed and I must really sort out with him about a replacement before we get any heatwaves! Did you all see the price of that replacement battery for an electric Mercedes, £15.000 which was more than the value of the car!

That was interesting what your Turkish meal was like Vera and I think I would have enjoyed it. Pity you got indigestion though!

The sun is shining here just now, but rain is travelling up the country according to the weathermen.

I have a zoom meeting with friends next so will BBL.

Morning Anng and Vera and all,

Sorry to hear you are both having rain this morning. We have , at the mo, sunshine which is a nice change from the past couple of days that have been dull and grey with a tiny spot of sun on Wednesday.

Hoping to get on with some craft today and blow the house work although I may do some ironing if I feel like it.

Sending love to all who are missing. <3

Good morning AnnG and all

Raining here as well and apparently it’s 6 degrees though it feels cooler than that.

I too hope Ann is OK. Perhaps she is just busy. I was the one having the haircut; I think Ann had hers cut earlier this week. I don’t remember her saying her OH’s car was being looked at but I might have missed that.

Having had to change my hair appointment on Wednesday because the car wouldn’t start I was glad it started OK yesterday so I got my hair done. In the evening we went out to the Turkish restaurant to eat. It is quite big but divided into several separate areas with a few tables in each. There were just 4 well spaced tables in our bit and it felt very safe. The food was very good. I had a starter of two cigar shaped filo pastry rolls filled with pastrami and cheese, though I couldn’t really taste the cheese. It came with pide bread (Turkish flatbread), a sort of mayonnaise dip and a bit of salad. I didn’t have the bread as I knew it would fill me up too much. Then I had chunks of lamb grilled on skewers over charcoal which was taken off the skewers and served on pide bread with slightly spicy bulgar wheat, tomato, onion and a long green pepper. I left the bread again and approached the pepper very cautiously in case it was fiery. In fact there was no heat in it at all. I had a glass of a Turkish rose wine with my meal and finished with an apple tea. It was all very enjoyable. The downside was that I was awake a lot of the night with indigestion!

I haven’t any plans for today but I ought to get on with a bit of h/w and I have a few phone calls to make.

It’s pouring down now :-(

Good morning all, raining here and looks wet outside so probably rained overnight as well.

Nothing at all planned for today. I had better attack the jigsaw again, I got on well for a bit and then came to a complete stop I don't stick at it for long spells as I need to stand and it makes my back ache.

Yes, hope Ann is ok Am I right she had a hair appointment and somebody was going to be looking at her OH's car (air con maybe?)

No Ann today I hope she is ok.

My aunty Joy lives east the water and as you go over Bideford bridge she was mored on the left just by the bridge. She was there for years and we were sad she went.

Yes sorry Mel finger trouble. She has been into Glos docks many times and once spent quite a long time here Couldn’t really see her properly today but it was like seeing an old friend she is beautiful and, I think probably the largest ship we get here.

Its the Kathleen & May and used to be at Bideford. At Christmas they put all fairy lights from mast to mast and she was all lit up with plain white lights.

Here's a bit of her history.

She was acquired by a film company in the early 1960s, used in a small number of films and then laid up in Southampton Water, where she was spotted in 1966 by master mariner Capt WP (Paul) Davis, a James Fisher skipper. He sold most of his collection of vintage and veteran motor cars to raise the money to buy her. With a crew of one (a retired agricultural engineer, McKenzie (Ken) Morgan), Paul sailed her around the coast to Appledore, where she was berthed on the mud in the estuary outside the port (to avoid port dues). Paul resigned his post with James Fisher and spent the next five years working on the restoration of the schooner with the help of friends, financed by the sale of more of his collection of vintage cars and on occasion by work conducting sea trials on new vessels for Appledore shipbuilders. Paul's ambition was to restore her to working condition and then to ply the Bristol channel as a merchantman again, but the job proved too big a challenge and in 1970 he sold her to the Maritime museum.

The Duke of Edinburgh in a bid to preserve a number of examples of Britain's decaying maritime heritage set up the Maritime Trust in London. The Trust moved her to Gloucester Docks, and began restoring her as a typical West Country schooner.,[1] but failed to secure a £2 million National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.

Businessman Steve Clarke from Bideford, Devon then bought her. Towed by sea to Bideford, in February 1999 she was hauled out of the water by two 1,000 tonnes (1,100 tons) heavy lift mobile cranes, and placed on to the disused Brunswick Wharf at East-the-Water.[2] 70% of the original planking was stripped from the frames, enabling most of her internal timbers to later be refitted. While the stern of the ship was stripped down to the keels, the reconstruction of the bow required the replacement of 6.5 tonnes (6.4 long tons; 7.2 short tons) of sacrificial oak timber. Once the frames were refitted, the surviving parts of the original frames were steam cleaned at 3000psi, to kill fungal spores.[1]

The ship was fitted with a 400 brake horsepower (300 kW) Detroit diesel ex-lifeboat engine, and the single propeller was replaced by a pair of hydraulically driven propellers. The ship now carries enough fuel to do 2,000 miles (3,200 km) under engine power alone. Redecked with new seasoned timbers, she was given a second refit, with all masts and rigging restored to the originally constructed and researched 1900 specification. On completion, she underwent a rigorous MCA CAT2 inspection.[1]

As a result of his efforts in restoring Kathleen and May, Councillor Steve Clarke was awarded the OBE in 2008.