General Chat

Hi Les' yes ,this is interesting ,and i have noted that a lot of canners have already noticed that lots of people are using too much salt already in their diet ,and have cut back on the amount in their tin recipes.
Baked beans are still one of the best thing there is for a diet and now you can get reduced sugar ones as well ,they are even more ideal and i even add a few to a salad ,with new potato chopped ,tinned tuna ,in oil ,no salt lol.and the usual veggies with chopped red onion, beeeeutiful ..Also noticed that as the weight came down ,so did the salt and sugar levels in my blood,so i scored both ways.
Having a special tea tonight ,a salad as quoted ,but with a nice piece of swordfish steak ,yum.
you watch yourself with those fires lass,if they get too close ,and you can't get out ,make sure you have plenty of water and go down in the cellar ,you should be safe enough down there.with Bella for company of course.
Far too hot for me ,i get hot sitting outside in the winter and my ideal temp is around 24c which is why we are waiting for cooler weather before going to Cyprus on holiday.
Have a nice weekend all ,Fred.

Hey Fred, here's an interesting diet thing. When my blood pressure spiked back in the spring my doc said that I had to give up all canned food because of the salt. Now I am a soup lover and my favourite lunch was a can of soup. So this week I had to have blood tests and the results were better than previously. My doc says you're eating better....hmmm! what I am not eating is canned food....so isn't that interesting.

Woke up to clouds this morning and they did not evaporate until about 10 so a cooler start to yet another hot day......up to 35 they say. Anyway Bella and I had a good walk and I feel much better. Going to try a little trim painting this afternoon.

Catch ya later.
Lesxx

Afternoon all, took the missus to The market this morning as promised ,and what a let down ,nowhere near as good as it was 6 years ago and a total waste of time .
That being so we went to Durham city instead and spent a couple of hours looking at the castle ,cathederal ,and the bridges and river,which was well worth while.
I at least got to try the new camera so a couple of pics are in the offing if they are any good.
We went to b & Q on the way home where i got the wood to repair the fence ,this time i may electrify it in case that thief comes back but at least the fence was the only damage ,and that wasn't too bad really,just a pain in the butt that i could have done without just now.
I have a parcel here for the son ,so we will run that down shortly and call for for my fish and chips on the way home ,yum yum.
The diet is def working ,lol,sugar level way down now ,and down to 13 stone dead [and alive] he he.
Catch you all later ,fred

Gosh VP, that is too much - 40 degrees no wonder you are in the basement with Bella - lots of coll showers, o drying and lots of water, tis too mcuh for us Yorkshire lasses take care Understand the concern about fires -they are not nice
Badger, Hissy will soon work out that birds are smart lol
Edith we did put the world to rights or tried anyway lol

I love blue berries - my favourite fruit so have my mouth round them - have a good time and look forwrd to the pickles of the chairs when they are finished -one talented person you are
Cold Friday evening here but house is warm and Mr Darcy already settled on my bed

Take care all

JA

Still high 30's again today but down to maybe 29 by Sunday....that would be OK. It is now supposed to rain by the end of next week....but I will believe that when I see it.

Got up early and grated a large zucchini and made a low fat loaf....yummy, yummy. It uses apple sauce instead of oil....very moist.

Edith I guess we could evacuate down the inlet. We have a BC ferry tied up here that was supposed to be going to China. If there were no cars on board I guess it would/could clear out a large chunk of the population. Yesterday there was a fire reported at Gold River which is quite a ways north of us and we have no wind so I guess they will be able to contain it. Now the next problem all over the Island is potable water. Here in PA we have several good large, clean lakes but Tofino is low and so are Qualicum, Parksville and Nanaimo. Crazy, crazy weather and there will be no end to this in the near future of that I am sure.

What are the rest of you up to??
Lesxx

Hello all, I know what you are going through Les. In 1967 we had to evacuate the whole town for a forest fire. One rail line and one road.
When we got 5 miles out of town the fire was over the road and I had to drive through it to get out. Scary or what???
Hope your heat wave ends soon, we need some of it here. I know I would be in big trouble with that kind of heat, it takes the breath right out of you.
See even Whitehorse in the Yukon was 39 yesterday. Our world is truly nuts. Perhaps if we all did some kind of "good weather dance"!!!!!!!
Can't believe how much fun that cat is giving you Fred, does she get extra rations for the entertainment??
Hope all the others are well. Glad to see Mary back. Off to make a
"blueberry cheesecake " as the big festival starts Friday.See you soon.

Edith XXXXXX

Hi Guys, and a big hello from the hottest place in Canada.....Port Alberni. That was yesterday at 39 degrees and again today swooping up to 40/41 degrees. I am sick from all of this heat and spent yesterday hiding in the basement along with Bella. I did sleep a little better last nite as we had the large fan blowing on us all nite. Stats show that this is the hottest spell here since 1928 and my next door neighbour, who is about 80, went and bought an aircon yesterday.....first one he has ever owned.

Biggest worry for us is forest fires and what would happen to us here in the valley should there be one. We would be difficult to evacuate as there is only one proper road out of the valley. There are two forestry roads but likely not of much use in a forest fire!! And no rain in sight.

Just to tell you how hot that really is. My zukes had flowers on Saturday and yesterday I picked a 4 inch patty pan grown from those flowers. Does anyone have a good zucchini loaf recipe???

All this heat is slowing down our "getting ready to leave" jobs. And we still have to move the furniture back into the bedroom. Oh well!! if it rains I guess I will crab about that also!!

Norman loaded mahjong into my 'puter so that keeps me occupied along with spider and the daily crossword. I could sew down here but I am just too exhausted.

So that was my whinge for today....don't do that often eh??

Fred I have a clear plastic "easel" that my laptop sits on. It gives me the "slope" that you were looking for plus it has two small fans that cool the base of the laptop. It is plugged into the ports, and works like a hot damn. Keeps the lappy cool and saves the wrists. Maybe check into that. Norm has a similar one that he got for his laptop as well.
OK, I am off for the day.
Remember that song.....
"I'm busy doing nothing, working the whole day thru,
Trying to find lots of things not to do".......that's me!!!
Lesxx

hi peeps,fred has just finished adapting the puter desk to put a tilt on the lap top ,so my fingers are well clear of the of the keys until i decide which one to push,lol,that sounds naughty dosn't it ?.
It's a little heath robinson to look at but ,at least it works.
Yes Mary ,the van went to a new owner last weekend ,and we are now looking for a little more modern ,shorter one ,so that liz can get between it and the car to get on the lawn..she hasn't seen it since october last year and i have been having a terrible job getting the mower over the tow bar to get onto the lawn ,enough is enough.the new one has to be no more than 16 foot 6 inches to allow a foot and a half space between the two.
Yes ,i thought the idea of the blackpool site being our new home was a good one ,the main van with all the mod' con's in including two toilets ,two massive bedrooms ,a full kitchen and a largish lounge is ideal for us ,and as to the garden there will be a border round three sides ,and there will be plenty of room for large pots for shrubs on the staging round all four sides.
I would be getting at foiur holiday vans on carla gran too ,one for visiting family and three to let out all year by the carla staff,so all the ground rents would be covered ,plus all expenses for ALL the vans and money left to go in the bank to pay for MY holidays he he.
The climate is a lot milder over the west side of the country as well ,better for Liz by far,but ,i have to wait three or four years until house prices recover ,oooooor ,we get this lottery win he he in which case Bu***r it ,we are oz bound and a smallholding for my son,lol,i supply the veggies ,he supplies the meat.
The next B B Q won't be all that long now that i have found out where to buy oz meat, in Aldi ,i spotted roo steaks ,ostrich bergers croc.fillets ,and Hoki fish ,i have GOTTA try those lol,all i need now is the son to bring the other gas b b q, with nine of us ,maybe more we will need two on the go.
Got my new mower too ,one that will do the edge of the lawns without the pusher having to be a contortionist,and with a big 1400 watt motor to cope with the long grass when need be .
The cat had me in stiches this morning trying to sneak up on a thrush that was sat on the fence top.
I ask you ,a large black and white moggy ,sneaking across the patio is NOT invisible to a bird even more so when a large black tail is swishing back and forth ,this cat ,to be camoflaged will have to wait for winter ,and sit on next doors coal heap .lol.
Anyway ,there she is belly crawling across the patio with the bird watching all the time ,til she reaches the fence whereapon she darts forward going in and out of the roses and fushia just like tom in the cartoons ,he he.
all this time ,the thrush is watching her every move head tilted on one side,she comes to a stop right under the bird ,waggles her bum side to side and then leaps up the fence.
She would have got missus thrush ,but as she left the ground ,the thrush left the fence simply dropping off the other side of the woodwork,leaving the cat hanging on the fence ,,i was by this time laughing so much ,i had to lean against the bench and put my cuppa down before i spilt the lot.i was standing there watching the cat looking DOWN at the thrush who i swear it had it's tongue stuck out ,it was so comical and the look on the cats face said it all ,that ,back to the drawing board expression.
Liz made a lovely caauli ,cheese for dinner ,chopped onion ,the cauli [of course.a fat free french dressing ,green pepper ,a little fresh basil and corriander and finely chopped cheese,and using a tad of water for the cooking ,not oil,it tasted really nice and we will def' be having it again,so low fat and only a sprinkling of salt and pepper,time ,from start to going on the plate? a little over ten minutes in a wok.
The scotch eggs with salad and home made wedges for the tea will be a real let down i reckon ,lol,i will have to look to my laurels if the missus keeps on coming up with stuff like that for meals..
Well ,i'm off for a look round the boards for a while,hope everyone is having a nice one ,Fred.

Hi everyone.. Been a busy bunny lately.. Had so many visitors and now they have all gone so am back to normal,,Well nearly back to normal..Got to pick up the new car tomorrow ,,We are getting a new Hyundai i30 hatch....then in mid August we drive our little Mitzi Mirage down to Canberra to sell to grandaughter,,very cheap..as grandparents do..lol.. Am looking forward to that as we havent been anywhere for ages.. We will come home on the train which is a lovely 4hours trip and with lunch on board..just might have a drop of wine with it to..lol..

Fred. Are you selling the caravan..You havent had it long..What is son selling it for..cant want a bigger one..I was waiting for you and Liz going away for a holiday in it..The sound of the trailer park in Liverpool sound good.. Who wants a big house when we get older..All it is is more housework..and who wants more housework..I saw some really lovely trailer homes here at a caravan show and they were really lovely..I could have lived in them very nicely...

Well have to take John down to bank to sort out money for the car..so have a nice day all and hope anyone not well is recovering..

Love Mary xxx

Hi again all lovely morning here today for a change,sun out ,at the moment,and the watering done ,just in case ,and i also used the feeder connection on the hose ,two jobs in one ,
I wouldn't worry about the field mouse if i were you ,they are very unlikely to move indoors,preferring an underground nest in the open,if it isn't a field mouse though ,that's another story.
Havn't seen Mr Mouse at all this year ,but i reckon that's something to do with Hissy ,i think Mr Mouse has moved addresses ,he he.
Looks like we are out to tea today at the younger sons so it saves me planning the evening meal ,as for the dinner ,stir fry anyone ,home made of course ,all veggies fresh out of the garden ,lol ,you know the sort of thing ,a few french beans from here, a few beetroot leaves from there ,a kale leaf ,some chopped parsley and chive and a few other bits and bobs like cucumber and corriander and basil out of the greenhouse,the only bought ingredients being a diced carrot,a diced ,onion and a diced new potato ,because mine arn't ready,even my sauces are home made [closely guarded secret recipe that not even the sons are allowed to see ,lol..
Sounds as though your lad has the garden bug Diane,and the allotment gardeners will encourage him as much as they can,i know i miss my two plots,but i can still manage my little garden at the back of the house where i can sit and watch my veggies blow in the breeze ,and watch Hissy catch the cabbage butterflies ,he he ,who needs a spray for them? ,and it saves on a little meat for the cat lol.
Time to go and get on with other things now ,have a nice day all ,and enjoy everything you do.Fred.

Evening to everyone. How nice of you to offer the toms Fred, but we are doing OK with our own. Unfortunately I had to give up my allotment when I became ill, but my boy (he's 16) goes and helps the other gardeners, they think its great to have a young lad to do all their bits and pieces and he really is keen. When I'm on the mend I will try again as I really love it.....
As for the Cathedral it is lovely. I have been up the tower a number of years ago and you are right the views are outstanding,,,, but I bet the man who gave you your tickets almost had a heart attack when he found out about you!!!
It is tempting to encourage the little crittures who come visiting the garden though, I have a little field mouse visiting at the moment he always comes to the same place he is cute, but my hubby isnt too happy as he knows I will panic if it gets in the house and it will be him that has to deal with it...... Anyway Goodnight to alll...

Hi all bloody thread is messing around again grrrrr ,if i have to try adding one more time after it i will give up for good,there must be better ways to talk to folk than this.
If i had to contend with chipmonks i would be growing my gear in a huge greenhouse with a locked door.lol.
If my missus was feeding the pests in my garden ,i would forget i am a gentleman[nearly] and give her a swift kick up the rear ,and go on strike as regards house work and cooking too ,so .i think i am reasonably safe as regards the garden.
Liz picked another monster cucumber this morning ,and more will be following very shortly ,so i think we will be supplying the son and bairns with them before the week is out,not that that will be a problem ,those bairns would eat a whole one each if given the chance.
You seem to be doing well with your garden Diane,do you grow tom's at all ,i have some lovely tittle cherry tomato's that grow okay out side in the open and don't need a greenhouse,so ,if you would like a few ,let me know and i will drop some off next time we are down for the market.
Regarding the Cathederal it's such a shame you were taken ill,next time try to get up into the tower with a camera ,the view is spectacular.
Liz and i climbed up the tower years ago following a visit while i was getting over my heart attack,the fella giving out the tickets was horrified when apon coming back down ,i told him i had had a heart attack 5 days before ,lol.but i was fine ,only cheesed off for not having a camera with me.
Hi J,a ,and Edith ,more pics to come and i still havn't sent Ediths first lot [smacks wrist] must get round to that before i get a bear knocking on the door.
Must get on in the front garden now ,two borders weeded today ,and the other two tomorrow,leaving the weekend clear for being lazy.
Catch you all later.Fred.

Hello all, I know it's time I show my mug. So here goes, had a busy week-end, had a lovely chat to J.A think we solved all the problems all the planet, so you can all breath easy now !!!!!
As most of you know I have my son living in the same town, but about 3
miles out. My D.I.L was complaining about the squirrels and chipmonks
cleaning out the peas and toms in the garden. Until Sunday I had no idea how bad it was. I was sitting out on the deck and watched the chipmonks
7 in all using the tall cornstalks like a race track, up one side, round and round and down the other. As I sat there laughing she was not amused.
She has now planted peas twice, will have no toms, and they are now
trying to get the zucchini. She is not impressed with the fact she has a
"Dr.Dolittle" for a husband who is hand feeding all these critters.
I have a feeling things will come to all out war very soon.!!!! As I was leaving I saw a painted turtle trying to find a spot to put her eggs and
when I told my D.I,L she says "Guess I'll have to protect her nest as well
before she eats anything the others have missed."
She also issued a stern warning to the "Dr" NOT to feed it as well.
Hope this finds all the others well as can be. Let's hear from you even just a quick Hi will do. Bye for now. Edith

Morning, its quite nice here today, the sort of day that will get all the washing dried. Hope every one is well. I've had a lazy weekend and really enjoyed it, not done a great deal except went into Durham and had a stroll round the streets was going to go to the Cathedral (I love that place) but had a dizzy turn, so opted out..there was a bit of a meeting on of Morris Dancers it was good to watch.
We've had some lovey things from the allotment this weekend, new potatoes, calabrese, spring greens and onions, they certainly do taste better than the shops.. Anyway thats it for now. Take care and best wishes to all.......

Goodness me where has everybody gone, I know Edith and VP are mega busy, as would Badger be. mary had family over the weekend

A cold but sunny day on teh Limestone Plains.

Wishing everyone the bestest of days. teresa, thiking of you and Bob and wishing all is well

We have not seen Veronica for ages - and of course the Michael from Dundas has totally disappeared, but we do have good company and the Canucks keep going because of it
CHeers

JA

Morning Les' Edith J A Mary and the rest of the old crew ]and new ones as well.all are welcome as always.
Edith shame about the allergy to cats that you have ,but it would be no good having one if you come out in rashes or keep sneezing
I loved my dogs ,but with the restrictions in this country now ,cats for us are a better option ,i.e no walkies ,no picking up dog muck on walks ,and at the end of the day ,there are no house dogs that i know of,and i still say that cats ,although more selfish than dogs ,are more intelligent ,to the point of being arrogant.lol
sorry to hear that Norm' has had bother with his eye Les,and i hope you get it sorted soon ,but you and Kathy were most unkind to take the mickey ,ganging up that is he he,never mind Norm ,what goes around,comes around.
Yes ,i have been reading in the news about the fires in both Canada now ,and the expected ones in Oz with the soaring temperatures and water shortages,it must be difficult getting around in those areas.
I had already decided that today was a day of rest Edith,and the forcast was so promising for today that i put shorts on when i got up ,i had even planned a B B Q for the two of us but wouldn't you know it ,it has clouded over.
Will take a couple of pics of the back garden jungle for you Les now that things are starting to come away again ,and will find a few others that i have taken recently,but ,last time i sent a few ,they got shunted back because your isp was unhappy with them ?
This must be a red letter day for Les folks ,unheard of before ,Bella ,lying down ,resting yet ,wow now there's a thing lol,enjoy it while you can because ,as sure as eggs is eggs ,it wont last very long .
Well ,i must be away peeps i have a few piddling little things to do like taking the trash out to the bin and feeding Hissy a treat to keep her sweet he he, catch you later all ,have a good day. Fred.

Hi Everyone, Well I am in the midst of painting the bedroom. Got the undercoat on but now it is really hot again and jst too much to be up there fighting with a roller and tray!! Maybe I will get up early tomorrow!!

Norm went to bed last nite and minutes after he laid down was up yelling bloody blue murder, that his eye felt like it had a red hot poker shoved in it. So we rinsed and bathed and nothing, he was still in agony so off to the emerg (I didn't even have time to put my knickers on...just my shorts!!LOL) They gave him an ointment but that didn't work so today it was off to the Doc who has given him drops and told him to wear an eye patch. I told Norm that I would call him Hook for the duration. He was not amused. Then Kathy phoned and I told her and she suggested I get Norm a crutch and a parrot to complete the outfit....now he is even less amused!!! Poor love.

Our tomatoes are suffering from blossom end rot, ever heard of that Fred?, we get these lovely toms and then they just go black...what a royal pain!!

Bella is lying peacefully at my feet. We are in the basement where it is blessedly cool. I don't know how we will cope with our trip....the weather is hotter than normal and forest fires everywhere. Ah! well. We will go as far as we can and if it gets too much I guess we will come home. I am going to get a new cozzie and plan to dip my bod and Bella's in every available puddle (lake) that we find....might make that my shower for the day!! You can see I am gradually sliding into my red hat/purple mode.....and a good thing too!!

Off to do stuff. Be good. Send me some pics anyone?
Lesxx

Hi all, Wow, what "fun"you folks have with your cats!!!!! Sorry, but I
have always been a dog person as I felt the cats were somehow out to get me .I used to sneeze a lot too if a cat was near.
J.A. I can't take pics of the chairs yet as all I have are my 3. When we put them on display I will take some then. Promise.
As to phone no. if you let me know day and time I will call you. O.K.?
Must spend the rest of to-day typing up the histories for our Spirit Walk.
Every year it is getting bigger with more people turning out. This year we are doing all 3 cemetaries so of course we have more histories.
Fred, perhaps those bones are telling you it's time to rest. ???
Take care and see you all soon. Edith XXXXXX

Hi Ja ,blimey ,i think i will stick with the sparrow ,i don't fancy giving our cat ideas like that ,perish the thought, today we went through to Sunderland on the train,nothing specia,l but we both needed the break from routine.
Next week the road will be shut both ends while it is dug up and resurfaced ,so we are getting out and about while we can seeing as the road works will take seven days to complete.
Everything is growing well with all the water lately and it's starting to look a bit like a jungle out there the leves of the carrot and parsnip are at least a foot high with no sign of them slowing down,and we have beans,strawberries,cucumber and tomatoes ready ,all i could have done with was lettuce ,oooooops ,who forgot to put the seed in lol.
yes J a i had a few mishaps with windows and whatever and losing loads of stuff ,so come the finish i bought a large external drive ,and put everything on there as a backup and feel a lot safer now ,knowing everything is safe.
The missus fancies sausage bacon eggs and fries tonight but i fancy something light again and have opted for salad,but , i may nick a few of her fries which we both lo0ve,not fries as you know ,but boiled ,new potatoes but into pieces and fried in veggie oil ,they come out really nicely,far better than the british chips or french fries,and far less fatty.
Still having a lot of bother with the right leg ,so i am off to rest it for a while before starting tea, Catch you all later,Fred.

And Edith photos of chairs please :)