General Chat

Morning all,

Some blue sky with lots of big white and grey clouds this morning but still dry. I have said it before and I'll say it again the roses are all doing a bundle this year. Even the wild ones in the hedgerows have lots of flowers on and I have one in the garden that was a species rose which has gone back to its wild state and has massies of single white flowers on it.

It was really hot in the bugalow last night. Oh could'nt stand it in the kitchen so went off to bed quite early as it was so much cooler down there as I had had the oven on. I put the fan on in the kitchen after having the old extracter fan on for a while but it was still hot in here.

Well, our 'campers' left half an hour ago! They're now on their way down to The Lizard for a few days. They've booked into a hotel for three nights before going onto a site with sea views for the rest of their stay! We've had such a lovely three days, lunch with L and the children, A trip down memory lane (Oxford!) a party yesterday evening with some friends up the road from us. It has done us so much good as you can get a bit stuck in a rut if you're not careful doing the same old chores day after day, and there's nothing like old friends particularly if you still laugh at the same things, and we do!! Like you and your sister Jane!!
Today we're taking it easy!
Not too sure about pills Anne!! Cas is such a guts, a bit of cooked chicken, bacon, anything really and she gulps it down!!

Afternoon Everyone
What a beautiful day it is :-D.Perfect weather .

How nice that Ann popped in last night . What a time she had at her old house!!!.Fancy the man restoring old cars just like Ann did with her carriages !!!.
I bet the Asian family will have more than a hundred people at the 'DO' If guests are coming from the same area there well might be a coach!. I have seen this before up on the main road .I couldn't believe the number of people all going into the one house.

Any luck with getting Ruby's tablets down yet Anne? I keep thinking about it.

It sounds like you all had a lovely few days with your friends Liz. I love going down memory lane :-D Janice and I still have real belly laughs sometimes .I am hoping she might come and stay soon for a couple of nights again.I think it will maybe be in July so she can recharch batteries before the school holidays start and she and Larry will have to have the Grandchildren a lot of the time.

I have just realised it is 31 years today that I lost my Dad
:-(. He was just the same age as I will be next month !!.

Mel I didn't read the posts while I was away .Did you lose your 'old girl'? She was just hanging on when I went .

Our Roses too are now coming out and it is so good to see so much more colour in the garden. I will take some pics later.

Time for a spot of lunch I think.

My mother died.32 years ago yesterday. I remember talking about it to you last year Jane! I can't believe it's so long ago! I'm now seven years older than her when she died, the same for my stepfather!! Bit spooky!!
M's coming tomorrow! He needs to pick up his welder to do a job on his stepsons car. I expect he'll bring it back when he comes to help OH with fixing the tow bar! Cold meat and Salad followed by ice cream, so no trouble at all and it's always good to see him! We watched the Trooping of the Colour, this morning on catch up. What a fine display it is, and those royal children?!!!!!
Poldark tonight -hooray!!

Jane yes I did lose the old girl. She went peacfully in the night so now I just have the 7 new girls. I don't know whether there was a late layer the night before last but I had eight eggs yesterday morning. Now if the old girl had been alive I would have thought she had laid but as she was gone by then I must have missed one the night before.

Lunch over and I am just about to wash up then back out in the garden again. Oh is having a snooze.

I am going to put all the tools and bit and bobs away on the patio as he wants to pressure wash that in the morning ready for painting.

I cut all the long grass of with the shears before lunch as he can't get the big mower right up to it. I have an old clematis cutting mum took which comes up underneath the slabs under the arch. Every year I am very carefull not to cut it off by mistake and I usually do and this year was no exception!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was very carefull cutting one side and then I raked the cuttings from under the bench instead of moving it and off it came with the rake!!

Sorry to hear that Mel but she was ready to go :-( I think once Tomas goes I won't have any more pets .I just can't deal with 'the end'.We said that when Chester went but then Thomas decided to move in LOL .

Liz I knew it was one of your parents who died a day either side of my Dad but couldn't think which one it was. I just wish my Dad had lived long enough to see all his Grandchildren grow up.Sadly it was not to be :-( Hannah can just about remember him but James has no recollection at all.

I didn't see the Trooping of the Colour but did see one of the children on the balcony put her hand over little Georges mouth :-D :-D :-D. I thought that was so funny.
Do we know what happened to the chap who fell of his horse? I can't think what his rank was.I think he was in his late 70's .That must have been very scary for everyone.

Fitz is coming tomorrow for lunch and to taste this English wine.I'm not sure what he will think but know he will give a very long winded description of it LOL
I have made our favourite Chicken Pie and just put the Filo Pastry on top so it is now ready to go in the oven . It should just have leek and mushroom in but I have added carrot and Asparagus so no need to do extra veg :-D. Just the one dish to go in the dishwasher :-D

I don't watch Poldark but will be watching the last episode of Patrick Melrose (with wots is name ( Cumberbatch ??? ) It has been good, on Sky Atlantic.

Morning all,

Jane I think you mean Benedict Cumberbatch things with him in are usually good.

We have a lovely morning here with full sunshine and blue skies. I think it is going to be hot hot hot today.

Di is coming this morning so I must have a tidy round.

Oh is outside the back door pressure washing. He has dodne the leanto roof over the kitchen door but I dare not open the back door to see where he has got too as I shall get very wet!!

Morning Mel and everyone
Yes Benedict thats the name that escaped me. The last episode of Patrick Melrose was excellent.
Phew it is a hot one today.Really hot. Wall to wall blue sky :-D I think I will have to take my flappy fan outside when we have our lunch. Fitz wll be here at 12.30.Two bottles of the English wine are chilling in the fridge .One white and one Rosè.
I have a Pizza,and a Courgette and Pecorino Flan,Salad,and biscuits for cheese. Fitz is bringing the cheese as his son Ollie took some there on saturday and there was plenty left over and Georgette won't be eating it because of her diet.So it is coming here :-D

I just have a load of washing to hang out now and then I can think about getting the pizza and flan in the oven.

Waiting to hear from Anne and the tablet dilemma !! :-D
Is Frank home this week? He must have been away now for 2 weeks.It will be good to have him back again as I know we are all missing him :-D I expect he is as brown as a berry now. No lily white legs if he has been wearing his shorts all the time :-D

I think Thomas must be feeling the heat today as he hasnt been far at all and is in the coolest room on the settee in the study .He had me up at 3am this morning ! :-S and was back again by 8 for a sleep. I hope he does this on Sunday as i have to have him at the Cattery by 10 at the latest She closes at 12 on a Sunday and likes to have all incoming cats all settled and booked in by 10.
I had better sort this washing quickly and put some cooler trousers on.
I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful sunshine . :-D :-D

Dishes all cleared away finally after a long lunch!. Boy it was hot. I could feel my arm burning so had to move around the table to another seat with a bit of shade. Chris had to put a hat on as the heat was so fierce. I don't think we will want much if anything to eat tonight . Chris has gone for what he calls a little napette .He will be fast asleep now for an hour or two. Cottage Pie and Veg for James tonight . Oven ready and microwave :-D.I have the big fan on next to me now it is bliss :-D

Chris is going to Cambridge tomorrow to do what I think might be birthday present shopping :-D ;-). Fitz wanted me to go for a Breakfast meal down at the Old Forge ,but I have things I need to do tomorrow so have had to say no to that.I said I would go another day. He has had more trouble with the Muntjac Deer on his back lawn :-S.More holes dug :-S :-S.He thought they had the problem sorted a few weeks ago but it seems not now :-(
We have had a little bunny running around the lawn tis afternoon . Where was Thomas.Crashed out under my chair on the patio :-S. He did wake and chased a Woodpigeon but not the Rabbit. !!!. :-S :-S :-S
Mandy is your pool nice and warm now? I could really do with a nice dip in that now.

Sound like you had a really lovely lunch even if it was a bit hot to sit out.

Di came this morning and she has a fresh car, a little black Nissen Micra (sp). IShe said she did'nt really like the look of it and I said it looked like a frog so she is going to call it Froggy or Fredo. Its 8 years old so a lot younger than her last old car the Fiesta.

Oh has done the side of the bungalow now outside the back door and is now on the back of the lounge wall now and then its all done except the black line around the bottom to which I have to buy some paint for.

I don't know how he has stood it out there today but he did the fiddley bits on the west side while it was cooker this morning and then left the back wall till the sun has gone round a bit. I have been suppling plenty of ice cold ginger beer.

I got the other shell this afternoon with the silver on it and its awful. Its just an old cockle shell and its huge. Very disappointed with that and chucked it in my bead box.

I have had one part of the plate rack down this afternoon and washed all the plates and jugs and bits. Washed the shelf and put it all back. It looks nice now and only three more to go. I did do some washing up of the things on the room divider thingbut not all of them as oh came in and wanted his brush washed and then I went on to something else.

I was going to paint the other bit of trellis this afternoon but I put my little brush away out of oh's site and can't remember where I put it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I shall go and have another look for it now.

Ann was delighted with her early birthday present so now I can send you a pic of it. It is one of the things I have been making and could tell you about.

Glad Ann loved her early pressie Mel. It looked lovely :-D.
Have you found the little brush yet? I bet it will be somewhere right under your nose LOL.
Chris is just starting to water the garden.The ground will be parched now after todays heat.It looks like a far more comfortable day tomorrow.I think I will be sleeping in Hannah's room tonight as it will be cooler than our bedroom.That will be stifling :-S and the thought of having a hot body next to me is a definite no no.

Nothing yet from Anne about Ruby and the tablets.I just hope that she has found a way of getting the pills down .

My Niece Rachel has lost her cat.It vanished over 3 weeks ago :-(.I think sadly she won't see her again :-(

Good evening all

This is my third attempt to get on here.

Mel so sorry about your old girl but she did have a happy life with you, do you know how old she was? That was a lovely present you gave to Ann, even better that it was home made

I am really pleased to see Ann posting on here again, please keep joining in again Ann, you were missed by all of us I'm sure.

It sounds as though you had a good meal with Fitz Jane even if was was rather hot we have had the same here so the bedroom fan will be on tonight again.

It's still a nightmare trying to get Ruby to take her tablets, I tried the marmite idea but it only worked once before she realised. I've also triedLiz's and Mandy's way which is what I used to do with the Boxers again it only worked once with her ladyship.Trying to put the tablets down her throat even with two of us attempting it is nigh near impossible trying to get her jaw open, the annoying thing is the vet prescribed the liquid version but they were out of stock She doesn't seem to be in any discomfort but hasn't done a poo for a couple of days.

Sorry to hear about your niece's missing cat Jane but they do have a habit of turning up sometimes, we once found a cat in our garden fortunately it had a phone number on its collar, when the owner came to pick it up along with her two children and a bottle of wine ,She said it had been missing for quite a while. they actually lived in Sandhurst so we wondered if it had came through the forest, I can't remember whether it was a male or female hence me calling it It.

It sounds as if you had a good time with your visitors Liz I expect your home seems quiet now they have gone.

Years ago I had the chance to see trouping of the colour it was when my Uncle's fiancé actually worked and lived in the Palace her room was at the top in the front so it would have been a good view unfortunately the weather was so bad they had to cancel it...When ever we visited her she used to come and collect us and take us up to her room but obviously not where the Royals would be.

I had a nice surprise in the post a £25.00 cheque from the Premium Bonds came this morning

Evening all,

Phew it's been hot here too ,the children came for a dip in the pool after tea ,Jake and Chelsea are really good swimmers now they spend most of the time diving under the water for the weights we have to throw in for them ,the other two girls take a while to get in as they said the water was cold and they don't like the bigger two splashing them , Lewis is still not that interested he does like standing on the steps of the pool and splashing .

Mel the little Scissor holder you've made for Ann is pretty i'm glad she liked it .
Your OH had done well getting all the painting done in the heat , you kept him well watered with all the nice cold Ginger Beers though , we use to like a nice Shandy made with Ginger Beer instead of Lemonade ,i might get some Ginger beer when i go shopping .

Oh dear Anne i don't know what to suggest on the tablet problem with Ruby ,what a shame they didn't have the liquid form ,could you go back and explain the problem perhaps they will get you some .

Oh Jane your poor Niece losing her cat ,it must be terrible the not knowing what's happened .
Sounds as if you enjoyed your lunch ,what did Fitz think of the new wines ?

I should think Frank will be back about Thursday ,it was a Wednesday when he went ,i bet he'll have a lovely tan .

I think Anne is right about Frank being back on Thursday. Can't wait to hear from him. He has been missed by us all by te sounds of things.

Poor Rachel losing her cat. I wonder if it has been shut in somewhere? I lost one once and it had got into next doors greenhouse through a broken window and she was'nt using the greenhouse so had'nt seen him in there. Poor Pud Wood drank and drank and drank when I got him home and tucked into his food. I did'nt give him too much at first. I think had had been missing for about 5 days. I thought he had been run over as we lived on the main road through the village.

There were 165 beads around that scissor holder, I counted them. I hav'nt taken pics of the others yet but I have made two more.

Well, we've had a lovely evening with M. He mowed the little lawn for me and the strip of grass by the fruit trees so he's well in our good books! He's coming back on Thursday to help OH with he tow bar, so we shall be uptogether! OH has finished the creosoting, so the bungalow looks very smart! He's also done the fence in Merlins field and the woodstore. We're both now in bed watching Newsnight!! and nodding!!

Early birds this morning! We want to catch the last of the fine weather to finish off a couple of outside jobs, then that will be it for the minute!! Also we've got some more friends calling in this afternoon on their way back to Somerset! The chap was up at Oxford (St John's) at the same time as one of of our campers. There was a group of us and we were all such good friends (happy days of long ago!) and kept in over the years, so it'll be good to see them too!
Anne, perhaps if you looked on line you might find some helpful hints on how to give a dog a pill!! Just a thought!
Cas has just appeared with Teddy to summon me to breakfast!!

Morning all,

Another nice morning here but they forcast wind and rain for the rest of the week and worse in the north I believe.

Oh is out on the mower with the big sprayer on the back and he's just gone along my border so not sure what he is spraying.

Donkey day and I shall be off soon.

Afternoon Everyone
Liz you are certainly having a lovely time catching up with lots of old friends :-D and it has been such good weather too which must have been a great bonus.

Anne that was a nice surprise with your £25 win on the Premium Bonds. I think I just have a £1 bond LOL . Hannah won £50 many years ago .I seem to recall she bought one of those Swingball things with some of her winnings.

Has the vet got the liquid medication in yet Anne? If you are still really struggling getting the tablets down Ruby itmight be worth a call and see if you can change it to to the liquid. She probably hasn't pooped because it might be too painful for her to push :-S.The last thing you need if for to her be constipated too :-S :-S Poor Ruby :-(

Mandy the English Wines yesterday actually tasted much nicer than when we did ithe tastings. I think having food with them made a difference.Fitz thought they were fine.
I did a major ironing session this afternoon, cor my back is really feeling it now ! I think it will have to be an early night so I can lie down .There is not much on TV I want to see other than the programme about the Children and the Grammar Schools. I will watch that and then read. I think I am so tired too with all these nights being woken around 3 by Thomas. That is one thing I am not going to miss next week when we go away :-D.It will be bliss.
I don't know if I mentioned the cottage we will be staying in(I have a feeling I might have months ago) but it is Juniper Cottage Bakewell.Actually it is at a place called Over Hadden.

I have washed a load of bath towels today and have dried them in the tumble D.As you said Mel they do come out a lot softer than hanging them on the line :-D

I have a feeling that Rachel's cat has gone :-( The river is right at the back of them and I suppose there is a possibility she might have been chased or even fallen into there .She has never been one to stray far.Little Amelia is still distraught as she is missing her sleeping on her bed and having those special snuggles :-(

I saw 2 very young Fox Cubs dead on the road today on the way to Rushden Lakes :-(. I dont think I have ever seen them so young killed on the roads. It is usually the adults.I bought a lovely long tunic type top with short sleeves. It is one of those where the back is longer than the front.Orange /Black and Cream or white.Nice and loose and comfy :-D

Just now when I went ot fill the Window Feeder I found a little wing on the ground :-( THOMAS!!!!!!!!! :-| :-| :-|

Evening all,

Not such a nice day here today ,mostly cloud with the sun peeping though for a little while this afternoon .

That was nice Anne getting a little win from your Premium Bonds ,Colin's brother and his wife seem to get a win most months but they do both have the limit in Premium Bonds, like Jane i only have the one that was bought by my aunt for a pound years ago when i was in my teens ,now i think you can only buy them in one hundred pound lots .

Glad the wines tasted better than you thought they would Jane, as you say having food with the wine probably helped , if your weather is like ours there's no way you would have say out today to have your lunch ,the evenings here have been really chilly when i went out to water last night i had to put a cardi on .

We have blooming pigeons that keep gong after the blocks i have put out for the birds they can just reach the block if the land on the top of the fence ,i only put the block out this morning and they have had a good half of it ,i've now turned the feeder round a bit so hopefully they won't be able to reach it now ,if Max is out he soon barks at them and they fly off.

Going to sort a few more bits at the bungalow tomorrow ,i think there's been a couple of viewings so hopefully it will soon sell ,i'd buy it, i just need to win the lottery first .