General Chat

Just been looking at the recent photos on e-mail

Those F&C look so tempting Mandy, I could fancy a plate right now, they always taste better when they come from a seaside area.

Wow those onions Jane what monsters, they must like the warm conditions.

Mel that was a good photo of the moon it almost looks as if it had wings with the clouds either side.

Sorry to hear your day was so disappointing Frank, the physio didn't sound at all professional and as for the meal you were right to complain hope you get some compensation .

It's going to be a very hot day again. Richard is off to Highclere Castle this afternoon for an organised picnic and concert along with the usual group of friends it's in Hampshire so not too far from here to go. It's where Downton Abbey was filmed.

Haven't read many of the posts yet I've been doing a few jobs before it gets too hot

Thanks for asking Mel. In fact we've only done 1. 1/2 weeks with 5 more still to go so still a bit of a haul!! Ian's doing fine with no ill effects, but it's very early days and it usually takes about three weeks + for any health problems to appear! Hopfully they won't, but the hospital have said that any concerns can be dealt with by them which means we don't have to go through our GP. So that's really good to know. Yes we're certainly looking forward to getting away!! It's all booked so baring accidents it should be fine!!
I'm sitting outside!! It's really lovely, and the sun just right!! We've picked a load of stewing plums which are simmering away! I shall probably make them into a crumble. Cooking Apple's are just about ready to pick and freeze for later use, toms are taking shape!!! Ian is making some handrails for our steps outside the backdoor! He never stops!!!!

I remember Nikki Lauder and the dreadful accident from way back when my parents were motor racing addicts!! When I was a child we went to all the race meetings/Grand Prix's both here and in France! They knew a lot of the drivers personality as before the war my S-father raced his MG at Brooklands. Hawthorne, Moss, Fangio, Salvadori, McAlpine, Ascari,Chapman, to name but a few! We used to go to Hill Climbs, treasure hunts, all sorts. A lot of it was great fun, but I went right off it when I got older, ( I didn't tell my parents though!) just not my scene any more, and never went back on, so many of them were killed along then, also I just found it, dare I say, noisy and boring, and sadly still do!!!!! I was much more interested in boating and later sailing, which is what Ian and I had in common when we first met (he loved the river)and still do, along with native ponies among other things, which were later interests.! My parents however were fans and followed it on TV all their lives!!

Hi all,

Had a nice couple of pints a the pub a lunchtime. Walking down there I tripped on the kerb opposite the pub, and did a dance in the middle of the road, trying to stay upright. Motorists who had stopped for me to cross sat and had a good laugh, but no -one got out to see if I was alright.

here were two strangers in the pub shouting down their phones. They were so loud they didn't need phones. I went into the garden to get away from them.

I walked home, snd Ros got s nice roll of meat and salad for lunch, then we both had forty winks. Conrad and Jan phoned to see how I got on yesterday, and sounded disappointed with the service I had.

No takaway tonight, Ros isn't wanting one, and I'm not bothered. So we might have something later from the fridge.

Liz, I have never been interested in the G.P. or any type of motor sport. Ros used to do hill climbing with her 1st OH and loved motor racing. Everyone to their own. ;-) ;-)

Evening All

I seem to have slept the afternoon away !I just could not keep my eyes open. I still feel as though I could drop off again now. Maybe it is just the efect off all this heat for so long now.

Frank, that was not a good visit to the Physio. One bit of massage is not going to do much and I am surprised that he didnt make another appointment for you. I dont think I would have been impressed with him either. That meal you had too sounded a bit grim :-S

Mel what great pics you got of the Red Moon !!! Amazing.

Liz fingers crossed that OH remains free of any side effects from his treatment, I didn't know it could take a few weeks for anything to show.I know some people sail through with no effects at all so lets hope OH is one of those :-D

I have just seen it is 7pm :-0 :-0 . I really don't think I fancy much to eat .I might just have some cereal with a sliced Banana. Chris said he will happy with a Curry Ready Meal,and as for James I dont know if he is in or out to eat. So he can see to himself.

My Niece's FIL is not long now for this world. They had a call this morning from hte hospice to go in and say their Goodbyes. He had already said he didnt want them there for his last moments .I don't really he knew they were there but they did what he wanted which is the main thing. Tomorrow Rachel is still planning to take the children on the train to Barry Island for the day at the beach.It is a day they have been looking forward to for ages now and with all that is going on they need to have a bit of fun and laughter at the seaside.

I have some rather sad looking birds on hte window feeder. It is totally empty so I had better go and sort them out.

Evening all

I'm very late coming on here today. I rang my mum this morning as she was in hospital for an operation yesterday, but when I rang her she said it had been cancelled, she was so upset as it's the fourth time the op has been cancelled, so I said to come around to us. She sees her friend most days so she brought her with her. Mum said the op could be on the 14th now, apparently they are going to cancel someone else to fit her in......how bad is that, you'd think they could do the op's on both of them instead of cancelling. Mum stayed here for a few hours and was much happier when she left, she was almost in tears earlier on the phone so I'm glad we managed to cheer her up.

OH has made a start on the paving in the secret garden, it's been a bit cooler today so he decided to do that job before it went to hot, with it being a heavy job. He's done quite a bit already. I helped him clear the area which took a few hours and had just finished when mum turn up, so that was good timing. Her friend loves our gardens both front and back. She's a lovely old lady and so easy to talk with, I felt like I'd known her my whole life. She has finally sold her house and will be moving into a flat on the 20th, she wasn't expecting the completion date for another month so she's quite excited about the move now.

Love all the photo's everyone has sent, those F&C were big weren't they? I don't think I could eat all that.

I didn't know Nikki Lauder was ill let alone had a transplant Mel. I'll let OH know when he's finished watering the garden.

Sorry to hear about your Niece's FIL Jane, it's so sad isn't it? Good idea for Rachel to take the children out, like you said it'll do them good to have some fun. Have you fed the poor birds yet? We have lots of nuts in our cupboard now Rosie doesn't come around anymore, so I'm going to buy some bird feeders and put them out in the winter. Has Thomas come home yet? Nice to hear Steve the homeless man has got somewhere to live now.

What a waste of money for the Physio Frank, I don't blame you for not going back and the meal sounded awful too. Then today you nearly fell when you tripped. Let's hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

Pleased to hear Ian isn't having any ill effects from his treatment Liz. Still a way to go, but a nice holiday to look forward to once it's all over.

Well, I'd better go Sandra is waiting for me to watch a programme with her.

Good morning all, Where are you ???

Another early start for me this morning 5.30 am I woke to go to the loo, and didn't go back to bed. I had all the veg done before 7.00 am. Potatoes from the garden and Runner beans. Sweetheart cabbage, spouters, peas and carrots. It will be a late dinner with Harvey not coming until 7.00 pm. So a day to ourselves.

Ros has gone into the back garden to weed and tidy up the beds. She is also going to cut back the growth on the Tomato's so he sun can get to them. I can't believe how the lawn has grown. I only did it on Thursday, and will need cutting again soon.

Ros made herself a Salmon salad last night, I fancied a smashed up hard boiled egg sandwich with tomato's, so that's all I had.

I have been down to the greenhouse, and see there are more ripe tomato's. I have been giving them away, as there is no way we can eat them ourselves. I mentioned to Ros last night, that perhaps we shouldn't grow so many next year. The beans are really coming on now, again I can't se us eating them all.

So you had a nice lazy day yesterday Jane, I was talking about you this morning with Simon, talking about Thomas and his rabbit catching !!! He and Sally were just going on the Narrow boat for today. to help keep cool, and enjoy the peace and quiet. Alright for some.!!!

Gill, I bet your OH will feel the heat today, doing slab laying. I assume you have the same weather as us. What a shame for your Mum, being put off again at the hospital. I am sitting here with the fans on and in shorts. I might venture into the garden later.

I hope everyone is in top form, and enjoying this beautiful weather again. ;-) ;-) Don't get burnt, and enjoy your day.

Afternoon all

I'm here Frank ;-) :-D Lovely and sunny here too.

We're lucky Frank the area OH is flagging is in the shade behind the very tall conifers in the area we call the secret garden, so it's nice and cool.

Unfortunately the first idea we had was okay but we've come up with a better idea where we can flag more area, so poor OH has to take up all the flags he's already put down and move them over so he can put in another line of flags, that way there should be enough room to put another shed which OH might use as a workshop. Or we might use it as a nice place to sit in the shade, not sure yet what we'll do with the space it all depends on how much things costs. OH has spent the morning putting some wood underneath the fence as it was about six inches off the ground and all the neighbour's rubbish kept coming into our garden. I then painted it all so it's ready to move the flags over now which OH is making a start on. When I planted the conifers I didn't put them in a straight line so we're trying to get the next line of flags in as best we can, not sure if we'll be able to put a whole line in yet......time will tell, but at least we know the extra flags right at the end will be enough to put a shed on. It narrows a bit after that.

I know what you mean Frank about to many tomatoes, we have lots and there's only Sandra and I that like them. I was thinking of putting some in a salad, luckily they're ripening off slowly, a few at a time, so far there hasn't been any wastage. We had a few that had gone black at the bottom but I heard on the TV that was because they had a bit of a break in between watering's, so I'm watering them more often during this hot weather and thankfully they haven't gone black again.

Maybe you could give your veg to the homeless shelters if there are any in your area. I'm sure they would be grateful for them. It sounds like you have a good mix of veg which wouldn't go to waste then.
How nice for Simon and Sally on the narrow boat today, I'm like you and wouldn't mind that myself. It sounds so relaxing.

I think we had a fox in our garden last night as I had to clean up a bit of mess it had made on our lawn this morning. We saw a fox a few years ago so we know they are around.

Well, I'm just about to check online for prices of sheds, hopefully they won't be to expensive then we can order one for the bottom of the garden.

Had a busy morning here doing usual chores! Cas had a real plunge this morning after her run! I'd made the bath deeper so she was sort of swooshing around in it really enjoying herself! The wasps have been awful along with the flies, so we've made up some large jars of wasp traps! OH is determined to find the nest and destroy it!! Maybe, maybe not!!
Frank, perhaps you could freeze your surplus tomatoes? They are great in the winter for stews, bolognese sauce etc. I've frozen some plums, so they'll be nice later on too. Hopefully we've got some cooking apples for freezing too
Goodness Gill, your OH will be exhausted! I can't believe all the work you have all done!! Your garden must look a treat! Can you send a photo or two?
We ought to do some weeding Frank but I'm afraid it's going to have to wait!! That's one thing about not having neighbours, there's no one to disapprove!!
Beef for us today, New spuds, and runners from the garden, with the remains of the plum crumble will suit us well!

Where's Aunty Mel, ?? I hope everything is alright in sunny Devon. Conrad and Jn are taking a ride down to Cornwall today. I think they might end up at Rick Steins for something to eat. I know they like it there.

Liz, Ros likes to keep on top of things in the garden. Bu this weather I am sure nothing is growing, and the dead stuff can wait to be pulled out. Our Green Bin is full to overflowing, so it will be Tony's or Pam's bin, for anymore she pulls up today. !!!

Gill your OH will need a nice hot bath and a good rub down after all this slab lying/moving. Peter him than me. ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

I have just remembered to make the Yorkshire Pudding, I was to far in front of myself this morning. I have also made the gravy.

Now going to take a bottle of cold water from the fridge, and are down to Ros. She must be thirsty and hot. Then at 3.00 pm I will sit and watch the football.

OH had to nip out so I laid 8 flags for him, he's taken over again now while I sort out the evening meal. We're having roast beef to Liz, it's been cooking slowly for a few hours and smells lovely.

Yes Frank I'll run OH a nice hot bath later, I don't know about the rub down though LOL.

I was wondering where Mel was too, it's not like her not to be on here by now. I hope she's okay. <3 Fancy forgetting the Yorkshire's, mind you there is a lot to think about for a roast so it's easily done. I remember dishing up and forgetting to put the Yorkshire's on the plate, I'd left them in the oven, luckily the oven was off and Sandra reminded me about them before they went cold and we'd finished eating our meal. Needless to say I haven't made that mistake again. I doubt Sandra would let me forget, she still talks about it now......bless her. She loves her Yorkshire's.

That's a good idea of yours Liz to freeze the excess veg, although I didn't know you could freeze tomatoes. I've used up the ripe ones in a salad earlier, so that'll be there for us tomorrow. I have a few plates of them on the kitchen window sill ripening nicely, they should be ready in a day or two, then I can make another salad or have them on a sandwich or in a pasta sauce. It sounds like Cas is having fun splashing about. It's gone quite hot here now, thankfully the area OH is working in is still in shade, it doesn't get any sun all day apart from a bit filtering through the trees in the morning and evening but that's not a lot and doesn't warm that area up. The air is warm but not enough to bother OH. We've been bothered by a few wasps over the last few days, one landed on my cup when I was having a cuppa outside, right by the handle, it did make me jump and half my tea landed on the floor.

Going to check the meat, I like to turn it over a few times during the cooking then the juices baste it. I wrap it up in tin foil and cook it slowing to tenderise it.

Forgot to say Liz, I have a camera so I'll see if I can get any photo's I take on my laptop and then into an email......can't make any promises though as I'm not sure what I'm doing, but when I get some time I'll have a look and see if I can do it.

I'm sure you will Gill. If you give the details of your computer onto Google and ask how to download photos to an email (perhaps using YouTube) you can usually follow how it's done without too much trouble! Again, freezing tomatoes you can find out about it on Google.
I like to keep the weeds down as much as possible Frank, but to be honest there comes a point where it's a never ending job and it just has to go by the by!! Bit like ironing!!! ;-)
We did up some marmalade today that we had frozen, seven jars!! It was a hot old job but done now for a few weeks.
OH has just finished cooking supper, best go and sit up!!

Just popping in to say hello . It has been too hot here this afternoon and we have been sat out for ages with Fitz and James .Fitz turned up with a bottle of bubbly and even champagne glasses !!!! to celebrate his Dads Birthday . He died 18 years ago . So we went with the flow and are now quite happily sozzled . Well just a little tipsy :-D

My Nieces FIL passsed away in the night which is a blessing . But difficult days ahead as far as funeral costs. :-(. I can't say anymore . Janice wants to come and stay with us for a couple of nights before her knee op. Just to get a bit of peace and quiet and to chill out . I have said she can come any time she wants and I can't wait :-D We always have a good time together.

Sorry I haven't looked ay any posts yet today.

Sorry to hear about your Nieces FIL Jane, even when it's expected it's still a sad time for everyone. My thoughts are with her and her family. How nice for Janice to come and stay with you I know how much you will be looking forward to it. It sounds like you've had quite a boozy afternoon, you'll sleep well tonight ;-)

OH has had enough of the flagging for today, he was going to do one more just to finish off the line he was on but I said to do it tomorrow, if he's not in the mood and anything goes wrong (He's trying to go around a tree trunk) then it'll only feel more of a job to sort out if he's not in the mood. So I've run him a hot bath which he can relax in. He said he's been doing the flags since 6.30am this morning. I didn't wake up until almost 8.30am so didn't realise how long he'd been working. He's just had a big roast beef dinner so lifting heavy flags wouldn't of been good anyway. I think he'll be having an early night tonight.

I'm starting to get worried about Mel now, it's so unlike her not to be on here. I hope she's just lost her leccy, or something simple like that and there's nothing wrong with her or her OH.

Here I am at last.

Oh's sister called early this morning and said they would be round at 10.30am. They had been down since Friday had a day in Bude yesterday and took us out today.

We were going to Widemouth bay but it was so packed and with cars parked all along the road we decided to drive a bit further along to see if we could get to the next beach along the coast. We stopped a couple of miles up the road and had a lovely look out to sea which was very blue today and as calm as I have ever seen it. Whilst there we spoke to a couple who had also stopped there with their camper van and they told us to go on to Crackington Haven about 20 mins away which we decided to do as they said there was a cafe and a nice pub there. The beach there was very stonely and the tide was in but on the way out. We were there about 3 and a half hours. We first had a sit on some rocks and we watched the ducks on a little river inlet bit which stopped before the beach. They were funny but I forgot my camera in the rush to get ready and get out. At one time they were all diving under the water with their tails in the air and it would have made a lovely picture as there were about a dozen oor more of them and they all stayed together. They did go onto the beach at one point but then back to there pool. There were still lots of people on the beach and its not that big a cove sort of thing but as the tide went out there was sand. Lots of surf boards being walked do to the sea and they had lifeguards there too. We had some late lunch in the pub which was very nice and as we were late (about 3pm) it was very quiet in there. Then we went over the other side of the bridge to the cafe and had a coffee and cake. O we had icecream first on arrival a nice Kelly's one rum and raisen which we took over to the beach.

Its been really sunny and hot all day and when we got home the leccy was out so we had only done from 58 to 60 something so it must have gone out as soon as we left today and we have lost a whole day of sunshine solar wise. But we have had a lovely day with the three of them and they treated us to lunch and ice creams.

Pleased to see you are okay Mel, I was starting to wonder where you were today. It sounds like you've had a brilliant day out, pity you didn't take your camera with you so couldn't take any photo's of the ducks, it sounds like they were having a great time in the water.

I'm just watching the Antiques Roadshow, I haven't seen it for years, it's very interesting. They are in Cornwall, at Trelissick House. The views are lovely and some of the things people have taken are very unusual.

Morning all,

Cloudy sky at the mo here but at the mo its not as hot as it was yesterday. I hope it stays that way. I think last night was the first night in years I hav'nt got up for the loo.

Oh has just taken the recycling up the top.

I think it is going to clear up as the sun is showing its face now.

Good morning Mel, and to you all.

That must have been a nice surprise Ml, being taken out for the day, and be treated to lunch was a bonus ;-) ;-) There is something very calming about water. Just outside a pub we knew in TOKENHEY. Where Keith Flord had a restaurant, was a river that was tidal. he ducks use to flow in and out with the tide and and waddle around the car park. So relaxing !!!

Sorry about your news Jane. Will you be going to the funeral ?? Which reminds me. I/We have been invited to a funeral at 2.15 this afternoon. I meet her Grandson in the pub on Saturday. She was 80 and died from Dementia. She worked for us at the shop for a while. I haven't seen or spoke to her for years, so I don't think we will be missed, if we don't go.

Ros has been on "SPIDER" Patrol. Every morning when she sits with her COT her eyes are on the ceiling in the corners. the little bliters seem to collect there over night,so out comes the Dyson for a collection. ;-) ;-) ;-)

I was in bed before Harvey went home last night. My neck was killing me. I did drop off but woke again at 11.30 so got up and read my book. I don't remember going back to bed, and slot until 7.30.

It's a real scorcher out there this morning. I think Ros will be going out with Carolyn as she rang this morning. they got back from Hastings late last night.

I just had to get showered and shaved earlier, I felt as though my hair and body were crawling :-0 :-0 :-0

No plans for me again today. I have put SALAD down on the shopping list. So we will have one this evening.I can't b ar@@d to stand cooking a hot meal tonight.

Harvey will be driving down to France on Thursday, Why on earth he won't fly, I just don't know. He use to fly years ago.

Don't overdo it today Gill, there's always another day tomorrow ;-) ;-)

Just picked myself another bunch of sweet peas and I have another three ripe toms. I have had about 15 off the sungold but two of these ones are gardeners delight.

I had a letter in my magazine that comes through the post to say they were'nt doing it anymore so I have to ring up for a refund as I pay yearly. Then the other one I have has a letter on the back of the postal address saying they are now going to do 12 issues instead of 8. When I had Landlove I asked if they were connected to Landscape Mag and they said they were'nt. They did offer me Country File magazine instead but I don't want that so I am having the refune and it will go to the added sub for Landscape.

Well I have cleaned the spare bedroom windows and the back door again and the big dining room window as that was the first one I did with the karcher and I did'nt do it very well. The uti room is next.

Fed the fish with some new food that oh ordered which should have come on Saturday and did'nt. Its a health food. The babies have really grown and are now nearly as big as some of the parents.

Made toast for oh and I as we were hungry. We don't usually have breakfast.

Dead headed a few flowers on the clematis and the lillies on the patio and now I have a horrid taste in my mouth from those so I am going to make myself a drink before getting lunch.