General Chat

Morning all,

Today would have been my paternal nan's birthday so happy birthday nanny Hannabuss.

We have sunshine and grey clouds this morn ing. Oh is outside repotting all the Hosta's so its nice and quiet in here. I had a GOOD lie in this morning after all the work I did yesterday I was worn out. I had 9 hours sleep with one loo break so not bad at all.

I too have been on Statins for years with no side effects. I always think its better to get your cholesterol down than worry about side effects and you don't know till you try them anyway. Oh is on 20mg ones and I am on 40mg. I have a friend who can't take statins but she has those Benacol yoghurts and Benacol spread and they have worked for her so you could try that Jane and see if it makes a difference with your next blood test.

Just a quick hello from me for now. The sun is shining and I have just got everything ready for lunch. It just needs to go out to the patio table now :-D.
Fitz has just pulled in so I had better go. I will be back later this afternoon.

Well thanks to John's invitation, I have been working like a mad man. I had intended to have a quiet day today, and do one lawn tomorrow and the other over the weekend. NOW they are both CUT. and I am in a state of NO RETURN. !!! I have the shakes and I am feeling faint.

I made myself a hot sweet COT. and hope that revives me a little.

I have emptied the Washing machine and put them on rhe airer in the conservatory. It get very warm out there, so they will dry fairly quickly . They are a few underpants, socks Jogging bottoms and nightdress's.

John mentioned DON'T FORGET YOUR BUS PASS. I checked, and mine ran out 22/12/2017. Ros is going to take me to the library when she gets home so as I can renew it. I hope I can do it while I wait. or it's going cost me fares in and out of Hastings, as parking will be murder, being Bank Holiday weekend.

I looked up the festival thats on, it's a tradition in Hastings, and has been going for ever. !!! It's to do with welcoming in the SPRING.

Have a nice lunch Jane,

Have just sorted another cookout for the weekend. I can't sit around and not do something.

Must get some CASH out also.

Yes Frank the Green Man welcomes the coming of Spring. I made a Green Man face for the church once and its in the uti room hanging on the wall.

Look up Hastings Green Man on Google and you will see what goes on. Its going to be very busy. Take it easy now for the rest of the day to get rid of those shakes.

Usually referred to in works on architecture as foliate heads or foliate masks, carvings of the Green Man may take many forms, naturalistic or decorative. The simplest depict a man's face peering out of dense foliage. Some may have leaves for hair, perhaps with a leafy beard. Often leaves or leafy shoots are shown growing from his open mouth and sometimes even from the nose and eyes as well. In the most abstract examples, the carving at first glance appears to be merely stylised foliage, with the facial element only becoming apparent on closer examination. The face is almost always male; green women are rare.

Julia, Lady Raglan applied the term "Green Man" to this type of architectural feature in her 1939 article "The Green Man in Church Architecture" in The Folklore Journal.[3] It is thought that her interest stemmed from carvings at St. Jerome’s Church in Llangwm, Monmouthshire.[4]

Some commentators conflate or associate the term with "Jack in the Green".[5] Green cats, lions, and demons are also found.

On gravestones and other memorials, human skulls are sometimes shown sprouting grape vines or other vegetation, presumably as a symbol of resurrection (as at Shebbear, Devon, England).[citation needed]

Mel. above is the grave stone I do the flowers on outside our church. There is a picture of it on Wikipedia.

The Green Man appears in many forms, with the three most common types categorized as:

the Foliate Head: completely covered in green leaves
the Disgorging Head: spews vegetation from its mouth
the Bloodsucker Head: sprouts vegetation from all facial orifices (e.g. tear ducts, nostrils and mouth)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Man

Take a look Frank!! Here's what on in Hasting this bank holiday.

Jack in the Green Hastings 2018 - May Day Bank Holiday Festival

Written by Expert Skip Hire on 08 January 2018.

Jack in the Green HastingsImage courtesy of Janet Richardson

With the festivities of Christmas and the New Year now firmly out of the way, January and February can be a bit of a dull and slightly depressing time of year.

With still quite a few bleak weeks ahead of us before the sun climbs higher in the sky and warms us up, we thought we'd try and cheer ourselves up by focusing on something a bit more positive.

With that in mind, we decided to look at what's happening in our area to mark the beginning of summer.

Jack in the Green - Hastings May Day Festival 2018

If you live in or around the Hastings area, you'll probably already be familiar with the Jack in the Green festival. This year, the festival runs over a four day period beginning on Friday 4th May (2018) and ends on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May (also known as May Day).



If you're not in Hastings, then it's still well worth the effort to make the journey there (especially on Bank Holiday Monday) when the festival culminates with the Jack in the Green Parade itself. It's an ideal way to spend the long weekend and there's a whole heap of things to see and do for all the family.

In case you're not aware, the weekend is choc a bloc with a broad spectrum of music, historic activities and a range of social events.
May Day Jack in the Green timetable

According to the Hastings Jack in the Green website, the day should start off with a hearty breakfast, which sounds like an excellent idea!

The below timings are approximate but will give you an idea of the general planning of the day. If the festival is something you're not familiar with, have a quick read of what's happening, and when.

7.30am to 9.00am - Breakfast - St. Mary Star of the Sea Church Crypt, The Bourne Hastings TN34 3BD. This is a 'not for profit' breakfast, with all proceeds going to the Two Towers Trust.

9.45am - The Gathering - Hastings Fishermen's Museum, Rock-A-Nore Rd, Hastings TN34 3DW. This is where the characters taking part in the procession will be gathering to wait for Jack.

10.15am - Jack is Released - This is where the fun really begins. Jack first appears in his familiar giant green leafed cloak and flower crown, accompanied by his Bogies. The Bogies are Jack's protectors and their job is to keep him safe whilst he creates his mischief in Hastings. After dancing with 'Mad Jack's Women', his next move is to start the procession by leading everyone along Rock-a-Nore Road and up the very narrow All Saints Street.

11.30am - Time for a pause in The High Street - Whilst everyone has the opportunity for dancing and some refreshments, Jack travels back through the procession to meet all of his followers. Once he's ready, the procession re-gathers behind him so he can lead them up towards the West Hill at around midday.

11.45am - Entertainment for the crowd - 'Now and Then' are a local four-part acapella vocal harmony group renowned for their unique blend of voices. Their job is to keep the crowd entertained as the procession moves onwards towards the West Hill.

12.30pm - The procession winds its way up Croft Road and Collier Road in order to arrive at the Main Stage, West Hill - This is where everyone can really let their hair down. Throughout the afternoon, they'll be a range of musicians and folk groups along with Morris dancers and drummers performing on the stage. There will also be an entertainment area for the kids, plenty of delicious food stalls and refreshments tents with plenty of Real Ale for those that fancy a decent pint from local brewers.

3.30pm - Slaying of the Jack - After all the merriments and the dancing, it's time for the Bogies to parade Jack down to the main stage where he is symbolically slain. His demise signifies the release of the Spirit of Summer for the coming year.

This colourful festival has a rich and illustrious history; to find out more and get the full details of this wonderful and traditional event, head on over to the Hastings Jack in the Green website.

The cage has arrived and fits perfectly! Not sure Cas thinks much of it but at least she'll be safely tucked away!!
It's a beautiful day here and we've been outside most of the time. The grass has been cut and some weeding done; the garden chairs have been looked out and the cushions given a good stiff brush ready for the weekend!! :-D
The hospital rang this morning about physiotherapy. Apparently I'm on the list and should get an appointment in a week or two! here's for hoping!!
Nearly time for the Chateau!
Enjoy your time away Frank.

Evening all,
It's been a lovely sunny day ,we went shopping first thing and had just got in the door when the phone rang it was my sister asking if i could take her to the A&E , she was doing some gardening and caught her foot in some canes and went down a cropper , BIL was there but he couldn't take her as their car had gone into the garage to have a light mended .
After being examined and having xrays they told her she has fractured her wrist so she's now got a cast on but has to go tomorrow to have a firmer cast put on and that will be on for six weeks ,right wrist and she's right handed .
So most of my day has been at the hospital .

That will do you both good to have a few days away Frank ,it looks like there's plenty going over the bank holiday weekend in Hastings .
Hope those shakes have gone now .

Cas will soon get use to the cage Liz ,she'll be nice and safe in there for travelling .
So chairs all dusted off ready for the weekend lets hope it's a nice sunny bank holiday .

Frank, enjoy your few days away in Hastings .It sounds like ot is going to be a very busy time there with all the Jack in the Green Celebrations!!!!!!! Even if you dont join in ,it will still be a nice break.


Liz ,i expect Cas will soon get used to the new cage in the back of the car.At least you know it fits.New car ,new cage for Cas will be a bit strange for a while.At least she will be safe which is the main thing :-D

We sat out for 4 hours !! Lunch was a success and Fitz went home with the remains of the cold meat .I said I wasnt going to put it back in the fridge after it being out in the sun ,so rather than me bin it he took it :-D :-D Waste not want not as the saying goes

:-D

Oh dear Mandy, your poor sister, how lucky you were able to help her!
Your lunch sounds like it was fun Jane, least you won't want any supper!!
Cas had a cage in the Freelander and she has one house and she's ok with both. Maybe the new one smells a bit- New? As you say she'll get used to it!
OH is making a Curry for supper, so better get the table laid!!

YOur poor sister Mandy. These things happen when its not conveiniant (sp) don't they. It would happen when the car is in the garage! Just as well you were at home to be able to take her to A&E. I hope she gets along ok with the cast on her right hand!! I do feel for her. She's going to find it hard to get dressed etc.

We have both been in the garden this afternoon. I sorted all my strawberry plants out as they had vine weevils in them so now they have no compost on them and are in water till tomorrow when I shall repot them in fresh compost. I bantams were on weevil patrol as I put a lot of them in their dirt tray and they had a whale of a time fighting over who was going to get in there and have a good scratch. The next lot I put in a pot and just threw them in the run.

Hope Frank got over his shakes today and took it easy for the rest of the day. Have a good nights sleep Frank and you will feel better tomorrow. <3

Going to catch up on some of the Chateau DIY now.

Good morning all,

I though I would catch up with you before J & C come at 10.00 am

Feeling very stiff this morning !!!! My back and shoulders don't feel as they belong to me.

Roa showered and washed her hair in-between taking me to the doctors and having dinner. Then she was off to choir practice. She finished packing the case when she got home.

Sorry to hear about your SIL Mandy. It always happens at a inopportune moment. Six weeks is normal for a cast, I think. Hark at DR FRANK. lol lol

Why is it when you know you have to be up early. You can'r seem to sleep, and clock watch ?? I was awake at 5.30 am and did just that.

The Dr. is checking with the hospital over my X ray that I had last October. I have bad ARTHRITIS in my right hip, and moderate in my left. She is thinking of a HIP REPLACEMENT. which I am not keen on. She is going to try to control the pain with more pain relief. Whichever way it goes, I will have to get use to it.

We both checked our BUS PASS'S and they are out of date. New ones will be in the post, so we will try to BLAG our way out of paying, BUT, if we have too we will pay our fares.

Yes this Festival seems to be a great activity for Hastings, and with the weather promising to be good, I expect it will be buzzing with people. We must remember to pack a STICK for Ros.

I won't be taking my MacBook with me, so you will have to do with our me until Tuesday Afternoon/evening.

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend, DON'T get SUN BURNT, if you are sitting out. !!! God BLESS you all. xxx

Morning all

A bit overcast today but no rain, so that's good.

It sounds like you're going to have a great time away Frank, the Green Man festival sound wonderful and like you said the weather is going to be good, which makes a nice change for a bank holiday.

Sorry to hear about your sister Mandy. Hope she isn't in to much discomfort and manages okay with it being her right wrist.

So a new car and cage for Cas. I'm sure she'll get used to it in time Liz.

We were so busy yesterday which is why I wasn't on here. We got up at 7.30am so we could vote before our eye tests at 9am, then we decided to take Sandra to CHESTER ZOO, she had a great time and the weather although quite warm wasn't to bad. We had a few spots of rain in the afternoon but nothing to shout about so we didn't get soaked like last time.

Sandra loves Flamingo's but can never remember the name, all day she kept talking about the pink things to which I kept saying Flamingo's, I think I might of broke the world record for how many times one person can say Flamingo's in a day LOL ;-) ;-) :-D :-D. She absolutely loved them and when we looked around the gift shop there was a snow globe with a pink Flamingo in, so I bought it for her as a surprise. Her face lit up when I gave it to her and she kept shaking it and putting it by her lamp in her bedroom last night.

We were very lucky yesterday as each time we went to see the different animals they happened to be getting fed. You should of seen how fast the Tigers were getting there food. The keepers had gone into their outside enclosure (when the Tigers were inside of course) and put some chickens at the top of two very high poles and as soon as the Tigers were let out they shot up the pole to get them. I almost missed it they were that quick. Then Sandra wanted to see the giraffes as we have been watching "The Secret Life of the Zoo" and she had seen one being born on TV the night before, so she saw the baby and also the giraffes being fed.

Talking of the programme of the Zoo, when we went in the monkey house they were filming for the next series and I helped them. So I can now say I was part of the show LOL :-D :-D :-D

I didn't do much, just helped them stick a black cloth onto the glass that the monkey's were behind so the reflection of everyone didn't show up on camera. I had a good chat with the camera man and the woman he was with and they were telling us all about the filming and how it was done. He had a tiny camera which stuck to the glass to film them close up, the other bigger camera was on a stand on the floor, that is the one that had a cover over it stuck to the glass, the poor man had to climb behind the cover so he could film the monkey's. He said there were a few cameramen dotted around Chester Zoo and we spotted another one wheeling his camera from one location to another as we were walking around. I can't believe how big the camera's are.

I'm looking forward to watching the next series now to see the bit I helped them with ;-) ;-)

We left the elephants until the end and as the Zoo was about to close the keepers brought them all inside where we were, so we ended up watching all of them having something to eat. It was a great day but OH and I were so tired, when we got home we were both in bed before 10pm.

Because we were tired with walking for almost 10 hours we decided to take Sandra to MacDonald's for another treat to save cooking when we got home. So all in all she had a great day and although it was a few days late, I think it's a birthday treat she'll remember for a long time.

Oh Gill, I am so glad you've taken Sandra to Chester Zoo. We've been watching it for ages now and so I can imagine how thrilled she was to see all the animals. The baby elephant is such sweet little maid, the giraffe so gangly, and the mums so protective! I shall look forward to the next series with interest now I know your input!! A well deserved, lovely day out for you all, I'm sure you feel better for it!
Today I'm cleaning windows!! I want to get those sort of jobs out of the way before the weekend, then we can be in the garden without any distractions!!
Our swallows have started nesting and the blue tits have been busy in the nest box! OH is busy strimming the hedgerow, tomorrow he hopes to do some weedkilling!
Must get on with those windows!!!

Morning all,

A bit overcast and cloudy today but its not cold. Oh just said he felt a little rain in the air so I hope it does stay dry as I need to get my strawberries sorted today.

I am so pleased Sandra enjoyed herself so much yesterday at the zoo. We watch those programs too and we love the tiny elephant. I love the way they all protect it and you always think one of them will step on it with them being so big. Gill you will have to tell Sandra to say Flaming and then goes. Bless her they are her favorite colour, pink. Did they have babies with them? The things I like and the name of them I can't remember is those little tiny mice like things with the big long noses and the Orangatangs. It beats me how the animals know their names too when they are called by the keepers.

Lets hope this bank holidays weather is good for us all and Frank can enjoy his stay away in Hastings. We will miss him posting so much if he isn't taking his mac book with him.

I don't blame you for getting the window cleaning out of the way, the weather is suppose to be lovely this bank holiday so it'll be nice to be out in the garden Mandy. How lovely to see the swallows and blue tits nesting. We saw some lovely birds at the Zoo including a Victorian Crowned pigeon, we saw two of them one black which we could touch it was that close, of course we didn't touch it, and a lovely pale blue one, although that was a bit further away. We walked around the butterfly house, Sandra loved having them flying around her and we even saw two that had been born that day.

We saw the tiny mouse thing with the long nose Mel, wasn't he called The Stud ;-) He was on his own. Didn't see "Son of Stud" though. I'm the same as you and can't remember the name of them. We also saw some foreign squirrels, they were black, white and bright orange. There's so much to see there and a great day out. We're thinking of getting an annual membership. If we do it within the next 30 days they take the price of our visit off so it doesn't cost as much. The only problem is we don't go very often so we're not sure if it's worth the money as it's £245 a year for the three of us, which is quite a bit if you don't go much.

Funny you should say to tell Sandra to say Flaming then goes, I said that to her but she thought is sounded like she was swearing so she wouldn't say it......bless her. She didn't want to say it in front of her nan or gran.

http://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/birds/Columbiformes/Columbidae/Goura-victoria

Here is a link I've found of the Victorian Crowned Pigeon, isn't it lovely? This is the blue one.

It's me that's cleaning Windows Gill!!! Perhaps Mandy is as well!!
Sun's out here and we're having lunch outside - biscuits and cheese tomatoes, cucumber, pickle!!

Afternoon all,

No no window cleaning here today :-D we've just had a lovely dressed crab for our lunch ,it went down a treat .

Frank will be well on his way now ,i hope they have a lovely weekend .

Oh Gill so you've been to the zoo it sounds like you all had a good day there ,i bet Sandra is still talking about it :-D
It does seem quite a bit to pay out for season tickets but if you go several times you can soon get your moneys worth , i don't know what they charge there to get in but i know the zoo's this way are quite pricey but when you think of all the animals they have to feed and care for they do need to charge these prices .

The suns really warm today ,we have to pick Lacey up from school as Chelsea has a few lines to say in her school assembly thing this afternoon and both mum and dad wanted to see her in it ,it would mean DIL rushing about to get to Laceys school so we said we'd pick her up and she will stay her to eat with us ,we can then dropped her home later.

Your Banties had a treat yesterday Mel ,i can just see them all scrabbling about trying to get the weevils .

Just going to get lunch.