General Chat

Mandy I got my insect hotel from Morrisons and it was only £3.

You could get the children to make one in the holidays.

Bug Hotel: How to Make a Home for Beneficial Insects - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qpau_m2OCaE

Wow, is it hot or what ?? I have done A SHEEP S@@@ PIE for tonight. There was so much mince I made the second and put it in the freezer, I have only done broad beans, and carrots and peas for veg tonight. There is ice cream in the freezer if she needs it to go with her strawberry's.

Once Ros had gone out with Carolyn I settled in the garden with my book in the shade of the COBNUT tree. I sat and read for an hour, then decided I would mow the back lawn. Where as I would get three boxes of grass cuttings, I only got ONE and most of that was dust. lol lol. But it does look a little better for it.

I watched the 1 o/clock news while having an Oxtail soup and bread. What a disaster they have had in GRECE. Over 60 dead and the figure is likely to go up. Japan has had over 3,000 taken to hospital with heat stroke. It seems that it's a very wide spread heat wave, I would't like to guess what the Temp. is outside this afternoon. up in the 30s I would imagine.

So far I have drunk 3 bottles of water , and by the end of today that is likely to double. I won't have any room for my BEER tonight. ;-) ;-)

As mentioned I had a bug box attached to the arbour at the bottom of the garden. As yet nothing has used it. Does it need to be facing a certain way. ???

No sign of Madam yet, I expect she will be totally whacked out when she gets home, and will want to be sat in front of the FAN. ;-) ;-) ;-)

I have had two showers today, and no doubt, I will have another this evening.

It is so nice and peaceful today, yesterday the children down the bottom in the next close ,were fighting all afternoon. Their mother doesn't seem to have any control over them whatsoever. All she seems to do is shout and scream which makes them worst.

W didn't hear from Lewis last night, so I will ring Harvey tonight. He will be on his own now, until he drives down to France. I'm not sure when that is.

The "E" AND "T" are still playing up. !!!!

Afternoon All
Frank,I bet Lewis will be catching up on his sleep after his holiday away with his mates :-DI expect you will hear from him soon.
I too have been sat under the tree for a while this afternoon with my kindle.There was a nice little breeze down there.But I got fed up with the little thunder bugs and greenfly landing on me so have come in. it is so stuffy in here.There just seems nowhere to get cool.

Many those inflatable seats sound good fun for the children. Are they big enough for an adult?

I have a nasty burn on my arm from the oven .I did it a couple of days ago but the blisters popped so it is all covered in a burn dressing now.The trouble is because my skin is so hot and sticky the tapes keep coming off which is so annoying.The burn is right where I rest my arm when typing so I am keeping this post short and sweet now .

Not sure what is for dinner. I wll have to see what is is the fridge.

Our baby swallows are out and about!! Only two sadly, as two fell out of the nest. One Merlin stood on one :-( and the other didn't survive, even though OH managed to put it back!
Very warm here although a brisk wind started up this afternoon, so I got behind the fence for my daily vitamin D shot!! Winds died right down now! Farrier's just arrived to do Merlin's feet! He's so busy with doing Polo ponies, so we're lucky to be seeing him!!
Oh yes Frank, poor Greece! These fires are just shocking, it doesn't bear looking at, just completely tragic.
400 pots Gill!!! How on earth are you going to water those? It must take you an age with a hose pipe, but with watering cans?!!!
Sweet and Sour chicken and rice for us tonight easy, not too much clearing up !!

There was me thinking it was 40 pots Gill !!!!!! 400 is mind-blowing !

Liz what a shame the other 2 babies didn't survive (hope Merlin doesn't feel guilty :-D) mind you he would have known he stood on one.
I was watching 2 baby Woodpidgeons with a Parent on next doors roof earlier. One Baby was braver than the other but they both flew off in the end :-D

I started this post well over an hour ago but phone calls from Janice and Hannah put a halt to it.

No, he'd have been totally unaware of the poor thing. I expect he would have been browsing around his stable and trodden on it! We think that they were first time inexperienced parents as the nest is a bit small, and not in a very safe position. The survivors should be ok - hopefully!
Cas is on my lap! Sometimes she's such a baby!!

Morning all

Sunny here today after a cloudy damp day yesterday, luckily the fine rain stopped after an hour yesterday morning so I spent the whole day putting in the plants in the front garden, all I need to do now is fill in the gaps with some pretty flowers and bulbs, the bulbs will be nice and colourful next spring.

Buying top soil would of been cheaper Frank, but we bought 10 tonnes of top soil two years ago for the back garden and it turned out to be broken down CLAY.....after all the hard work OH did to dig out the clay I didn't want to chance buying the same stuff and putting it back in the very deep holes he had taken weeks digging, so although it cost us a small fortune, I put some decent stuff in as I knew that was going to be good and better for drainage, it's also the same stuff we planted the plants in when we put them all in pots........better to be safe than sorry. I would hate to have to ask OH to dig out rubbish if that's what we'd of ended up buying. These top soil people can be very crafty sometimes and will just break down anything to make it look good, but going by the back garden the ground is like concrete now even though it gets water on it every day. It's all done now and is starting to look more like a garden instead of a building plot.

The next job is to do the other part of the front garden near the front door in front of our bedroom window, we've decided to flag it in line with the paths that are there, we had gravel but it was getting clicked around, then we're going to make some tall planters to put up between us and Mr Grumpy as it's all open and he can see right into our bedroom which we don't like. We have a bay window next to his bay window so we can see in to each other's property. His room is a living room but we made ours into our bedroom, plus he has lights in his living room window over Christmas and leaves them on so they flash into our bedroom all night. So it's easier to block that area and it'll also keep some of the South facing sun off our window, it gets very hot in our bedroom even with the window open and makes sleeping very hard sometimes.

I'm just going to water the front garden then catch up with all the other posts. Be back later.

Oh forgot to answer your other question Frank. We don't want to put all the plants in the ground in the back because we want to take them with us if we move, we've left plants in gardens before then found out the new people took them all out and threw them away, which was such a waste of money for us as we needed to buy plants again for the next house, this way we can keep them and make the new garden look nice without any added expense.

Anyway I must go and do my watering before the sun goes to hot.

Good morning to you all,

Another disastrous night last night, said till 1.00 am. Got up and made COT and read until 4.00 am. Was awake again by 7.30 Doors and windows all open, and a slight breeze blowing through.

hat was very unfortunate Liz, Merlin treading on a baby swallow. Had it just fallen from the next, or been kicked out by another??

The A 508 from the M1 Jcn 15 through to the A 5 at Stoney Stratford.is CLOSED. GAS LEAK. Also the A 5 both ways in Towcester. Gawn knows where the will direct the traffic. Both Roads take a lot of HGVs. I can just imagine those trugging through these little villages :-0 :-0 :-0 JAMS everywhere.

Gill I would have thought you could dig up your plants if and when you decided to move. How often do you move house ?? I have only had 6 address's since I was born. Two of those when I had the shops. !!!

Barry should hopefully be here this afternoon. He is going to put a new front on the shed. It's been there for twenty years, and is falling apart. Roa has just gone to B & Q to get some FEATHER BOARDS. I have found a bag of CLOT NAILS. so he will have all he needs. Once that's done I will paint it to match the fence.

Poor Ros will have to divert through the back lanes to get to the hairdressers at 1.15 pm today. These road closures must affect local businesses, which they can well do without.

Have a good day girls. xxx

That's the front garden watered and the greenhouse, we'll do the back garden later, it was done late last night so won't need watering again until this evening.

I didn't catch the news yesterday so haven't heard about Greece, from what you are all saying it sounds pretty bad though. They say it's going to get even hotter over the next few days, Friday being the worse. I hope we get some decent rain soon or we might run out of water all together, it's pretty bad around here hence the hosepipe ban.

Yes, so many pot plants it's going to take us quite some time watering them all with watering cans, but if we don't do it they'll die. At least there are only a few in the front so they won't take to long to do. I kept the planting down to the bear minimum because of the hosepipe ban. I'm just hoping the ban isn't on for to long.

The poor Swallows LIz, from what you were saying they do sound like first time parents, let's hope the other babies survive. I was watching the female blackbird feeding her babies again yesterday in the fine rain. The youngsters do make a fuss and won't leave her alone, I hope she feeds herself too as she gives the babies all the worms she finds in our garden. She pokes around some of my larger pots and makes such a mess over the patio, but it's nice to see them all together and it doesn't take me long to bush us the soil when they've gone.

Lewis sounds very busy toing and froing everywhere, have you heard from him yet? Have you heard back from Tesco's about the bacon too? Lots of road closures by you Frank, like you said it'll effect business, do they know how long the roads are going to be closed for? I should imagine all the back roads will have traffic jams on them, maybe Ros should head out earlier to her appointment, she wouldn't want to be late. You asked about us planting the plants in the ground, there are far to many and would take us ages to do, then we'd have to leave them if we moved or have all the trouble of digging them back up, by then all the roots would be to deep and wouldn't fit in the pots anymore. We have moved a few times over the years. This place is a bit to big for us now Michelle has moved out, there are a few rooms we don't use anymore, so heating a property this size can be quite expensive which is why we're looking at down sizing next time. I don't think we'll move for a while yet though.

The elderly lady (99 year old) next door has gone into a home and her daughter is emptying the bungalow, so it looks like she won't be coming home again this time. She has had lots of falls and her daughter said she can't cope with her anymore. To be fair she has been looking after her every day for years and isn't young herself. She said she wants someone else to look after her and then she can just visit without the worry of finding her after another fall. She was at breaking point the other week, so I'm not surprised she has decided to have her mum put in a home. The poor daughter had no life of her own. She looks less stressed now, so I think she's made the right decision.

I've seen those inflatable seats Mandy, they look so much fun, hope the children enjoyed them and didn't fall off to many times lol.

It sounds like you were nice and cool with the fan Jane. How nice to see the baby woodpigeons. I haven't seen the four little birds that were together for a while, I suppose they've all gone their separate ways now.

Going to get a cuppa then catch up with all the soaps from last night, I was so tired, I recorded them and had an early night. Sandra is waiting as she hasn't seen them either, so I'd better go.

Frank, we've lived in six BOUGHT houses in 53 years! we did live in four rented when OH was in the RN! We've only ever moved odd favourites from the garden as the new places have always had mature gardens, so apart from odds and ends we've always left plants etc behind. What the new people did was up to them and tbh we've never asked, known or worried about what they did with the garden, or the house come to that once we'd gone!! We won't be moving again that's for sure unless it's the old folks home!! I've never heard of having problems with top soil! I think any shenanigans in that respect Gill would soon put them out of business along with a visit from trading standards! L had some delivered last year in bulk and it's absolutely fine! Mind you she'd soon have taken the firm to task if it hadn't been!!
Frank, the nest wasn't up to scratch at all and the poor little things just got too big for it, and out they went!! Either immature parents or maybe lack of suitable building materials, i.e. mud, in this hot dry weather, or a bit of both! the two survivors are fine and flying merrily round with a load of other swallows, ducking and diving!! At night they're in the nest, with their parents on a beam either side of them!!
Hot again and no wind. Not sure what we're doing today, not a lot I expect!!

Morning all,

I hav'nt read yesterdays posts yet only this mornings. I was going to put a necklace in the show and I tried to glue the wings together and mucked it all up so had to make the whole thing again. I had three attempts but got it right on the last time. Now I have to rush up to the village and get the entries in.

Sunny here again today but not hot hot yet so I am off up the village. Entries have to be in by 8 pm tonight and the show is on Saturday and the exhibits have to be in on Friday night between 7pm and 8pm. I am only entering three classes with two things in each.

BBL

I think I must of missed one of your posts Mel, I don't remember you telling us about a show on Saturday. Good luck with your entries, I hope you win something. What classes are you entering and what have you made for them, apart from the necklace you've told us about? Pleased to see you sorted it out on attempt three. Have you taken some photo's of your entries, I'd love to see them if you have?

Barry has been, he has taken down the side of the shed (taken the boards off) He has replaced some uprights inside the shed as they were rotting away. He has screwed on the new feather boards, as he thought they would hold better than nails. He was here for over two hours, and only charged £25.00. As there is not a lot to do at the moment in the garden. He has left it, that we will ring him when we need him. He doesn't just want to come, and potter around, and take our money. You don't find many people like that these days. ;-) ;-)

He has stacked the old boards against the fence. If we haven't found a home for them when he next comes he will take them away. I will put them on the Blisworth Notice board for anyone who would take them for FIREWOOD. they only need chopping up.

I don't know where Ros has got to. She left here at 10.45 for her 11.15 appointment, Its now almost 3.00 pm. She didn't need to go anywhere else, so I hope she's alright. :-| :-| :-|

Still very warm outside. I have beed sitting indoors reading, I might go outside for an hour, when Ros gets home.

I am the same as you Liz, whatever the buyer of my previous homes did to them was entirely up to them. They paid the price I wanted, so I had no reason to want to know. I have never kept in touch with them either.

Tesco's Roast Chicken in a bag tonight, with a good selection of root vegetables in a Mediterranean and olive oil covering, including some cold new potato's, all baked together. Nice and easy and not a lot of washing up.

I think I will ring Ros to see where she is.That's if she answers her phone !!!!

Is Ros home yet Frank? I'm sure she's okay, she's probably gone shopping on the spur of the moment after her appointment. A quick phone call should put your mind at rest. It sounds like you've got a good one there in Barry, not coming round for the sake of it and charging you for pottering around as he put it. It's nice to know you will only be paying for the jobs that really need doing. It sounds like he's sorted your shed out for you now. Hope you manage to get rid of the wood, but if not at least Barry will take it away for you, so no worries there.

Next door's daughter had the estate agent round earlier, but isn't sure yet weather to sell the property or rent it out. Her son pays the mortgage so it'll be up to him what happens next. They are still emptying the bungalow as the old lady liked to keep everything and didn't believe in throwing anything out incase she might need it one day. I don't suppose she thought about who would have to sort it all out once she went in a home, or passed away. I do feel sorry for the old lady though as they haven't told her yet that she's not coming home and as far as I know she doesn't know they are emptying the place. Her daughter said she will tell her at some point, but I think it's going to be much later on after the place is empty. I hope there was nothing in the bungalow the old lady wanted to keep......poor thing.

Still catching up with our programmes, just a few more to go. We had some other programmes as well as the soaps to watch. It keeps us out of mischief while OH is at his mates. Well, I'd better go Sandra is waiting.

Afternoon Everyone
The heat is ramping up again here. 35 tomorrow and possibly 37 on Fridaywith Thunderstorms. I bet Hannahs friend Nicola who is getting married on Friday is probably dreading it now. In a long wedding dress all day and evening too. Maybe she will have the sense to have something cooler to change into for the evening.

We have had a big clean here today. It has been weeks and weeks since it was done properly. I do have the bathroom to do tomorrow morning .It is up early in the morning as James is taking his car in to have the Cam Belt done, Chris will follow and then James will take his car to work. I will follow Chris to bring him home.Then it will be the bathroom and then a shower and hairwash in the en suite before picking Hannah up at the station at 10.40.

Frank I heard about the trouble with all the diversions around your way today.I hope that Ros managed to get to her appointment and is home again now. What a nightmare!!.

Good luck with your entries in the show Mel. Is this the first time you have done this? We will be rooting for you :-D

Gill, I do hope that the daughter will keep at least some of her Mums things as if she is going to be in a home it is very important to have some favourite and personal things around her. Even if she had a favourite chair she sat in.Most homes will allow some small bits of furniture (if there is room.)Photos,pictures anything like that .

Chris is having a shower. He did most of the heavy cleaning today :-D I actually felt a bit peculiar earlier so had to have a lie on the bed for a while and then Chris sent me off to lie in the chair under the tree. I am sure it was just the heat getting to me. I decided that as I don't exactly know who I shall be cooking for over the next few days I decided to just go for anything that is easy. I do know tomorrow it will be 4 of us.Me Chris James and Gareth(Hannah is out) so I got 4 Tesco Finest Chicken Kievs ,Chunky Chips and Microwave Veg. Chicken Schnittzels (sp?) microwave veg and Potato Waffles for Saturday as we are all here then . Just Friday to think about.

Chris says my oven burn is looking mucky and gunky :-S It doesn't look too nice.

I saw the fires on the telly and it must have been so frightening for the prople living there. Some were only 30 meters from the beach but got stuck in traffic build ups. So sad that they have lost everything.

Your burn sounds nasty Jane and with the hot weather they hurt even more.

I hav'nt stopped today. First I went down the village to put my entry in and I had'nt seen Geraldines house since she moved from the main road to a back street of new builds. Its a nice house and Gordon's sweet peas were growing out in the front garden. She had all her pots out the front as they hav'nt much in the way of a back garden but a lovely view over a big field with a hedge at the back of it and then endless sky. I had to keep looking out there.

After that I went in next door to Em as its George's 9th birthday today. He's had a lovely byke big enough for Em to ride. Two huge goal net thigs for football. They are having a party and its all set up outside and they are having burgers and sausages in rolls and piza which all kids seem to like.

Then I came home and did lunch. O and before that I did some washing and got that on the line.

washe dup after lunch and started the dinner. We are having a homemade chicken and broc plait. The chicken is in a cheese sauce and with button mushrooms too. I have shelled a 1lb of peas so I only have to put the pie together and cut the new pots in half and the peas will cook in the micro. Then I took the wahsing off the line and ironed that and then oh made a drink and I did some bun loaf with our drink.

Now I have a bit of a headache and neck ache so I am now going out to corn the chickens. I have just moved my head around and have a grisley neck. You can hear it!!!! Well I can. :-S

My word Mel, you have had a busy day, you'll sleep tonight and probably through half the morning now. ;-) You didn't say what you were entering into the show.

Sorry to hear your burn is still sore Jane, hope it's not infected. It sounds like you have most of the meals sorted now. How do you feel after your lie down? This hot weather is starting to become a bit of a nuisance now isn't it. I don't mind the sun it's just the constant heat all the time. I noticed before that one of the plants I put in the front yesterday is starting to wilt a bit even thought it's been watered, so that'll need doing again later. Yes it would be nice if the daughter kept something for her mum, maybe she has but she is boxing things up now for the Charity shop and her mum still doesn't know anything about it. I don't think I could do that to my mum.

Emmerdale's back on so I'd better go

I can imagine the creak in your neck Mel :-S You have been a busy bee today. Maybe tomorrow you can take it a bit easier.
George will be happy with all those birthday presents.All good things for this weather.He will be out and about all the time :-D
Geraldines front garden sounds very pretty with all the Sweet Peas and Pots and what a view from the back! Picture Perfect :-D

My Burn is stinging like mad.It is just so hard to keep any dressing to stick for long. A gauze bandage is what keeps anything in place.

Well it's D day here! We're up and about ready to leave at 9am as you have to be at the hospital one hour before your treatment, which only lasts 10 mins! We've decided that I shall go with OH today and tomorrow, after that I shall only go on Tuesdays and Thursday's provided he is ok. Seems more sensible than both of us trekking backwards and forwards every day! We got OH's post treatment oncologist appointment yesterday!! 3rd December!!! Talk about advanced booking!!
Must stop off at the shop today as its Eds 11th birthday on the 31st and I need a card. They'll be over next week so can give it to him then + some money! They get expensive these grandchildren!! also the surgery for prescriptions! Well 'A busy day is a happy one'!!! so best get on!
Have you tried putting honey on your burn Jane? If you put some on some lint and leave it for a while it both soothes and heals brilliantly. Manuka honey is best but we find any sort does just as well.
Sun's up!!!

Morning all,

I think its going to be another really hot one today so I am not doing much. I shall stay indoors mostly and may clean the bathroom and little loo.

I was dropping off to sleep last night whilst watching the telly so decided to go to bed early for me. Slept like a log getting up at 5.55am for a visit to the loo and then slept again till 8.55am.