General Chat

AnnG
I saw weather pictures from near Bath and Herefordshire and wondered if you and Mel had been affected by bad weather.
We still have wild winds and are due 'light rain' apparently.
It's very localised around here. The proximity to the coast and then a slight rise to lower hills can mean that we have quite a range of conditions within a few miles.

good morning all. very dull and has been raining but it is dry at the moment. Nothing planned today so will see what the day brings.

When the weather improves I will send some.

Thats much better for your granddaughter to come in the morning rather than driving in the dark at least she will be rested after a days work so fresh to start the journey. You'll have a lovely time with her.

Anng we will need some pics of the garden now Jake and his dad have done a lot out there. We won't be able to recognise it or picture it in our minds unless you do.

It was not a nice day here either. Not windy but cold and short bursts of sun then heavy rain. The first hour and a half was dry though. Jake and his Dad worked right through raining or not. I have noticed how they work as a team. Jake does the planning with me then talks to his Dad who, I think knows what can be achieved. Then Jake does the things like cutting down the buddleias, taking down the trellis and cutting out the dead rise branches I have shown him. They both lay the slabs Jake doing most of the heavy lifting. Then and bits of slab to be cut to fit is done by Dad. They do work well together though and Dad takes his orders from Jake but Inthink he has older skills. I gave them a large number of saws if all sizes which were hanging in the garage.they were pleased with those. There are still more jobs on the list for them so I will wait to hear from them.

I hope your granddaughter has a good journey to you tomorrow and that you enjoy the visit.

Good afternoon all

What a horrid day here. Strong winds and really heavy rain occasionally stopping to let the sun through for a short while before starting again. The rain did stop at lunchtime while we were at the tip so we got rid of our rubbish without getting soaked and the wind seems to have dropped a bit now but the weather app is telling me it’s going to be raining again later on. How much more water can the ground take?

I can see the appointment system at the waste disposal centre would be awkward if you had to rely on someone else taking the stuff when they are available but it used to be a nightmare at our tip and now it’s a doddle. Our tip is only a short distance from the town centre but it is up a narrow lane and before the appointment system there would be queues of cars down the lane and chaos if a large van or a farm vehicle tried to come the other way. All Suffolk recycling centres operate the appointment system now but I think it’s often possible to get a slot the same day you book. Our time slot was 12.15. You stop at a point just before the entrance and your number plate is ticked off the list and then you are waved in. If it’s very busy you might have a 5 minute wait but not often. Today we got there a bit early, were waved straight in and were out again by 12.15.

I’m glad the weather was OK for Jake and his dad to make a start on your jobs AnnG. I envy you as we could really do with a general handyman round here. I’m sure he would get lots of work as there are plenty of specialist trades people but it’s difficult to find anyone who can turn their hand to all those odd jobs that accumulate. You asked where we meet for our Thursday coffee mornings. We get together in a Starbucks above the local Sainsbury supermarket. Before lockdown we used to meet in Wetherspoons in town but none of us liked it much as it always seemed a bit grubby and the staff weren’t very helpful. You also had to walk from one of the town car parks which was difficult for a couple of the group. Sainsbury’s has a car park and both stairs and a lift up to Starbucks. It is spacious up there but never very busy and I think the staff are glad of our custom. Sainsbury’s benefits a bit as well as most of us seem to do a bit of shopping while we are there. I know what you mean about not getting to talk to everyone in a big group but the 3 husbands that come sit and chat amongst themselves and the ladies gather in a small circle. Because of the space and the layout It’s easier to do in this particular café than it would be in most.

Sorry you had a bad night Mel and hope you’re not feeling too washed out today. Did you enjoy your pulled pork slice?

Mandy, I am wondering about the cat cave as well. I imagine it as a sort of igloo. Please send us a picture when you have done it.

When I saw the weather this morning I was a bit worried about granddaughter driving down from Yorkshire tonight. She was coming all that way on her own after a day’s work and she has only been driving a few months. However, she rang in her lunch break from work and said she’ll drive down in the morning. She’s planning to start out at about 6.30 am though I’ll believe that when it happens!! I’m a happier bunny now, I won’t spend the evening worrying about her.

OH has just come in from the tyre place he uses having had 2 new tyres fitted and being a great deal lighter in the pocket so he doesn’t look too happy. I’d better go and make him a nice cup of tea with a chocolate biccy to cheer him up.

We've had sun and hail showers all morning and now we have just had sleet with snow in it too and as I type the sun is coming out again.

Sounds like Jake and his dad are getting along nicely with your garden Anng and you have nice new books to read. A good day all round for you then. :-D

I have made a huge pot of nice soup this morning and there's more to add to it later on plus a drop of cream so I hope BIL does come tomorrow or I will be eating soup for a week.

They were working for over five hours and got all the jobs done on the list, including the topper brick cemented back on the wall. They did also agree with me that the wall might have to come down sometime as it has a crack in it. Fortunately it is not a high wall, about a foot high and no children play near it.

It all looks very good or will when it dries out, it has rained quite a bit but they were very good and washed it all down Using my water of course. and they use my electricity as well. but I don't have a trip hazard down the bottom now. and they have taken down the old strip of trellis that holds the rose over the rustic trellis, and put up new, laid a path between the shed and the raised bed with gravel either side, cut down a few dead rose branches, pruned down all three buddleias, filled in under the second arch from the right hand lawn, with two paving stones and gravel, moved the stepping stones in the right hand lawn to a curved line down the centre, . They were here at 0930 had two 20 minute trips out to get more gravel etc and finished at 2.45 so five and a quarter hours without stopping for breaks, drinking coffee as they go. Pretty good for £900. that includes all the gravel, cement , paving stones, trellis etc.

Afternoon All,

What a night for rain and then more this morning till after lunch. We half intended popping to the jewellery shop sale we've bought things at before, but decided to have a cosy lie in instead and listen to the weather outside. It was sunny half an hour ago, but is dull and cloudy again now. OH has to keep draping the newspaper over the radiator to dry. I don't know why they don't push the papers and letters right through the letterbox instead of leaving them hanging out to get wet. It also damages the brushes in the letterbox that seal it from draughts as well.

Yes, where did February go! Hubby still hasn't put all the boxes of Christmas decs back in the loft. To be fair he's waiting till he gets some stuff down for the tip to save so much climbing up there as it is quite narrow wriggling through the loft hatch.

It's good the rain hasn't held Jake and his dad up after all AnnG and that he's making more headway with your garden for you. Those Lovely Buddlias grow fast and can get out of hand.

I've just ordered one of those contraptions for loosening jar lids!! :-)

Jake and his Dad are here. I was doubtful early this morning as it was raining but the sun is shining and they are getingt on well so far. the buddleias are pruned well down to my instruction, the raised block has been removed and replaced and I think they are well into the path by the shed. I have done a wash and walked down to Irene's to take books ang get a few more to read.

Pinch and a punch for the first of the month and all that.

Now where did February go 9 months three weeks till Christmas.

Morning all,

We had so much rain again in the night with it lashing against the bedroom window but we had a bit of sun this morning. Its 6 degrees here and pc says mostly cloudy so that something to look forward to.

I could'nt drop off last night I must have lain there for hours listening to the noise of the rain and wind. My bedroom window is not a good fit even though its double glazed it gets the wind from the west blow in it. I shall have to stick some tape on it. Well I eventually dropped off to be woken at 7am for the loo. Went back to bed and then woke again with cramp in my right leg. The new wheat back did'nt seem to last long as it was cold before my old animal ones. I had it over my hip.

Good morning all 3 degrees and raining which does not impress me at all as Jake is supposed to be coming to do the garden today and I can't see it being done in the rain. Blessed weather is appalling lately. Daughter is in Lanzarote at the moment. it is 20 degrees and sunny but very windy.

I dislike the appointment system at the tip. Well I would if T was still here as our trips tended to be spontaneous which it can't be if you need to make appointments. Makes it difficult for me if I need anything to go as normally daughter and SiL are not here to make an appointment and only stay for a couple of days at most when they come. So difficult to fit a trip in if needed.

Vera that was a nice big get together, I bet it was noisy. Is it a large cafe/restaurant where you meet? some of our U3a get togethers when in garden centres are large like that. The only problem can be not being able to speak to everyone.

Mel, glad you enjoyed your spend outing. Sounds like fun

Mandy a cat cave sounds fun but I am not sure what it actually is. so I look forward to photos later.

Ann ink from cartridges can make a mess. And always makes me wonder why they have said it was empty. I didn't visualize a moustache, I thought you probably looked like a cat with a black nose :-D

Mandy your cat cave project sounds interesting. I didn't know you did crochet, but using 4 strands of wool sounds tricky (as does no pattern) and you must need a big crochet hook! I expect it will 'grow' quite quickly though. I look forward to seeing it when it's finished. Thank you for mentioning about ALDI and the art stuff. I'll see if I can pop and see if our store has any, or any left if it does! :-)

Mel, you had a little spree today and you're right it does make you feel good. :-) I fancy something nice like a belgian bun now, but there isn't anything here.

Those short dates are annoying Vera. We don't get any warnings from Asda, just about any subs they send. It's good to know Tesco do it. I've got refunds when Asda do it which is okay, but you are left without some of your food.
Our tip stopped appointments ages ago after the worst of covid. There are lots of skips and we haven't had any difficulties going during the week. They were going to close 2 tips in the county, but people rightly protested (fly tipping would be worse wouldn't it) so they are keeping them both open with less staff and each open just part of a week which seems a much better idea.

Back from my outing and I see that you now have the full size pics thank goodness.

Vera its good you had a better night last night but a shame you still think you have someone elses head on!!

Ann I laugh at the thought of you wiping your nose with the ink tissue, like Vera said Hilter comes to mind, trust your oh.

I have just eaten a belgain bun and am now going to drink my tea.

I got my bird nuts and a little present for Em and some nice Fry's orange creams, some mint creams for Em to go with the hand cream and body wash. Remembered to get myself a small wholemeal loaf which was an achievment in its self as I usually forget something and I had'nt written a list, got my layers pellets and corn and 25 kilo of poultry grit and another long wheat bag with bees on it and came out of Mole Valley £60 lighter. Makes you feel good when you have a little spend up.

I also bought a pulled pork slice in MV and I hope its nice as its for my dinner tonight just got to pop it in the micro for a while. Shan't do anything with it as its quite big and the birds may get a lot of the puff pastry which they love.

Not touched Tudor man today so you will all have to wait a little longer to see him.

Mel, the photos are perfect now. The owl ones in particular are stunning.

Annx, in my mind I now have a picture of you with a shiny black ink moustache :-D It's good OH's meeting is on Zoom as that will save him a trip out. Not so good for the poor lady with sciatica. My glasses seem to be adjusted OK now so it was third time lucky for me.

It's a horrible day again, not too cold but very wet. This morning it was that drizzle that soaks you before you realise it and since lunchtime it has been heavy rain.

10 of us turned up for our Thursday coffee get-together this morning which was very pleasant. I was due a Sainsbury delivery between 2 and 3 pm but the driver rang before 1.30 to ask if he could come early which suited me. I am going to complain again as I had 2 items that were both "use by" today. They send the receipt by email in advance so why can't they put on a warning that some items are short-dated and then you have the opportunity to hand them back to the driver if you can't use them straightaway. Tesco do it so why can't Sainsbury's?

I slept better last night but still feel as though I am wearing someone else's head. Still, I must be improving as I have managed to do a lot more today. Before we went out for coffee this morning I had stripped beds and got the sheets washed and dried in the tumble dryer and I've been busy since we got back. I'm now going to do a bit of ironing and I think that will be my lot for today.

Tomorrow we have an appointment at the tip at 12.15 as I have at last got OH to sort out some of the junk in the garage. Do you have an appointment system at your waste disposal centres? Ours started when Covid hit and was continued when things became more relaxed because so many people, including us, preferred it. One of the few local council innovations that works brilliantly.

Now I'm going to send my complaint to Sainsbury's and then have a cuppa with a couple of bits of the nice fudge my daughter gave me before tackling the ironing.

Ann I meant to say Aldi had art stuff in again and wool I got a couple of balls of wool as I'm having a go at a cat cave :-D
You start crocheting on a wooden ring so I used my ring that I had for my cross stitch ,I just used the Inner ring not the bit that has the screw bit on .
I'm using four strands of wool and no pattern so wish me luck .

Afternoon All,

Dismal and drizzly this morning and still the same. We managed to crawl out of bed and be up early with the temptation of brekkie at the garden centre. We met a neighbour and his wife who we sometimes see there doing the same and having a brekkie so had a chat with them. No tomato seeds for sale yet, but I did get a few of the smaller Crocosmia to put in a tall pot that has long green grasses in it. They will add a bit of interest and then be hidden by the grasses once they finish flowering. It was boiling hot in there and I had put a fleece under my thin waterproof thinking they would be saving their heating so we didn't stay long. Called for the paper and a few bits on the way home and were glad to get back. Like Mandy said, a day for staying in really.

I was surprised to hear Dave Myers had passed away as last time I saw him on TV he seemed to be doing well and able to do more. He and Si were good together and I enjoyed their programmes too.

The photos look fine this time Mel and were fantastic. OH came and looked at the Owl ones which were so good.

OH's meeting is on zoom tonight as one of the people has sciatica and can't even get in her car. It will save him a trip out in the rush hour traffic, so he's pleased about that.

Just changed one of the printer cartridges, a black one, and a bit of ink leaked out which I wiped with some kitchen roll I keep handy for painting. It was in two blobs on the paper and I told OH I'd have to be careful as I sometimes use kitchen roll if my nose gets a bit sniffy. He chuckled and said he'd let me know if I suddenly looked like Hitler! :-S

its now pouring heavily and I was going out!!!! :-(

They are lovely Mel and this lot are not blurred.