General Chat

Hallo everyone

I was so sorry to hear about your son's cat Mandy. They become so much a part of the family that it is upsetting when they are no longer around.

I've heard that The Escapee is a good film AnnG. I'm glad you enjoyed it and your lunch out.

Well, we are now back home. Dil drove, though son came too, and we came in her car as it is a hybrid so there's no panic about charging the battery. The weather was good for the drive but the A1 was closed part of the way and we had to come off and drive all round the houses, including through Retford to get back on the A1 quite a way further on. Of course, everyone else had to do the same so the roads through Retford were choked with traffic. We stopped very briefly at Peterborough services to grab a sandwich and some water and got back about 4 pm. Son and dil literally dropped us at the door and headed straight back. I feel guilty as it is such a long drive to do both ways but they insist on us being driven.

I mentioned in my last post that we had a lovely evening Friday. It was very special as this was our first time of meeting the babe. Of course, she is absolutely beautiful and at 10 weeks old is beginning to take notice of what's going on around her and to smile.and make a few noises. She seems very good-tempered and smiles a lot and didn't seem to mind being handed around like a parcel. Of course, I had lots of little cuddles.

Yesterday I was first up and found the granddaughter from Manchester curled up on a sofa feeling very poorly. She had rung 111 and been put on to an emergency centre in town. Someone from there had rung her back and prescribed antibiotics which had to be picked up at Boots in town. She had to go herself with identification. I don't know what happens if you are too ill to go yourself. As it was dil walked with her as she was quite shaky. She was supposed to be getting the train back but dil drove her back to Manchester and then had to get home so that was 3 hours out of her day.

Son drove us the short distance to grandson's new house. We were very impressed. It needs decorating to their taste but it is a lovely first home with good sized rooms and everything they need. The sun was shining and they are not too far from the canal so we popped the baby in her pram and went for a nice walk along the canal bank. Then back for a warming cup of tea and a last cuddle and we were back to son's house.

Granddaughter and her boyfriend cooked gumbo for our dinner under son's supervision as they wanted to learn how to cook it and they made a good job of it. Some people from the previous night had gone but others had come so there were 10 of us to eat. Afterwards we played cards and there was lots of laughter.

All in all it was a good weekend and I haven't been allowed to lift a finger. We also have something to look forward to as several of the grandchildren, including baby, are coming down to spend a weekend with us. It is just a case of organising when everyone can be free.

I hope your weekends have been as pleasant as ours. I'm now going to hunt through the cupboards and see what I can find for us to eat tonight.

Morning all,

Its a beautiful dy here in deepest Devon 11 degrees and wall to wall sunshine but pc says partly sunny so how long it will last I shall have to see.

Need to get on as I have only fed the fish this morning so far as I had a lie in till 9.45am. Slept really well last night but have a sore throat this morning.

Vera what a worrying journey yuo had but I am glad you all arrived safely in the end. what a todo with the electric charging points on the journey. It must be so worrying to only have a few miles left when the car is only electric. Your poor sn must have been exhausted by the time you all arrived. Enjoy that lovely baby and give her a cuddle from me please.

good morning all, dry and only 7 degrees here. Nothing on today, I haven't even got a Tesco shop. Was not going to risk another cancelled delivery. I have enough in the fridge and freezer to keep me going for another week.

What a nightmare Vera. Glad that you eventually got there and everyone arrived to see you and looking forward to the continuation.

Hallo everyone

Son arrived in pouring rain around 9.30 Thursday night and immediately had to do an hour’s work on his computer. We planned to leave early on Friday but business phone calls and texts meant he had more work to do so we didn’t get away till 10 am and son was going to have to stop somewhere before 2 to take part in a conference call. The weather was appalling but the traffic kept moving. When it got to after 1 o’c son said he needed to find somewhere to stop, charge his car (an all electric company car) and we could have a snack. What a nightmare! His sophisticated SatNav gave him all the nearest charging points. The first was a Shell service station which was temporarily closed. At the second the chargers weren’t working and things were getting desperate. By the time we found the next one we were down to 19 miles of battery left. Anyway we got plugged in to a charger and it was by a Starbucks where we could get a panini and a coffee. During the morning son had constant phone calls with work problems (all his equipment is hands free) and needed a break but had to gulp down his food and coffee and sit in the car to take his conference call which took half an hour. Then it was back on the A1 to continue the journey.

We had hardly started when the phone went again telling him there was water running down the inside wall of the canteen in his sales department which is housed in a converted shop. So more stress and hassle organising somewhere for the 25 strong sales team to work while the source of the leak was found and put right. All this while driving. I was quite impressed as son did appear to be concentrating on the driving and watching the road while trying to sort out all his work problems.

Then we hit nearly stationery traffic, just crawling along. We were near a slip road off so as soon as we reached it son left the A1 and took a different route and we eventually reached home. We had all had enough but son looked exhausted.

Shortly after one granddaughter arrived, followed by her boyfriend, then her sister and her partner. Granddaughter no. 3 is a student in Manchester but wanted to see us so got as far as Leeds by train, only to find that all trains from there to the nearest station to son’s had been cancelled so she ended up getting an Uber. Expensive for a student but I think son gave her some money. Shortly after this grandson, partner and our beautiful baby arrived. 9 of us for dinner and a lovely evening.

I’ll continue this saga in another post, probably tomorrow. I’ve been doing this post while everyone else has been watching the rugby but I ought to go and show my face downstairs now.

Evening all,

Another fairly wet day ,rain all this morning and showers this afternoon, we nipped to sons this morning as they lost one of the cats today ,son said last night just before they went to bed she didn't seem quite right her breathing was a bit heavy and he said to dil if she isn't better in the morning we'll get her to the vets but sadly when he came down this morning she had passed away on the kitchen floor so she's now buried in the garden bless her.

Anng they were talking about that film on the television the other day and I thought it looked good .
There's a new drama on tomorrow night on ITV written by Lenny Henry it's called Three little Birds it's based on his mother's journey to Britain from Jamaica and I think it might be good by the snippets they have shown .

I keep wondering if Vera got there OK as the weather has been so bad ,Suffolk and Norfolk has lots of flooding and the A47 only opened at lunch time .
We called for some eggs this morning and there was loads of flooding in the fields but the little back road was OK.
Just waiting for strickly there's lots of good dancers this year.

Yes had a good day, 6 of us met for lunch in M&S and had really good fish and chips. Then we went to see the film of the escaper which was very good, very powerful. True story and Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson were excellent. Her last film of course as she died. and seems like his last film too as he is retiring.

BIL been here nearly ll day and has put new sponge filters in the big filter where the water goes back into the pond.

He also put my chickens food in the bins for me and got the battery off the strimmer so I can use it on some other of the Ryobi tools.

Hope Anng had a good day out and spent some money which always cheers you up.

Hope too that Vera had a good journey to the family and is able to have a cuddloe of that lovely baby. <3 :-D <3 :-D

Morning Enjoy your day out Anng.

Its 11 degrees here and wet wet wet cloudy dull and dreary.

Woke in the night and heard something chewing the pipes to the rad in the bedroom. Most probably a mouse has got along the where the heating pipes go. I hope it broke its teeth it was making such a row. After I went to the loo I could'nt get bacvk to sleep as my arm was hurting. Tossed abd turned for a bit which is unlke me and then got into the normal position on my right side and finerly dropped off again. I did'nt even look at my phone to see what the time was.

Well if BIL comes today he won't be mowing thats for sure.

Have a good day everyone whatever you are doing.

good morning all 8 degrees out there so lower than the last few days, dry at the moment. In to town to meet friends for lunch then a visit to see the film The Escaper at the smaller screened cinema in town.

So you and I both have nice tidy feet now Anng.

I have done a it of painting and varnishing today and had my toes done this afternoon.

I should have done some ironing but as Les used to say it will still be there tomorrow. BIL did'nt come today so perhaps he will tomorrow.

I have a nice piece of natural smoked haddock for tonight with broccoli and new pots with strawberries for sweet.

Mel Colin had his flu jab yesterday ,it hasn't stopped raining all day ,I see the A47 is flooded and I think its only lorries getting through cars are being diverted and it sounds chaos out there ,poor Scotland with all the flooding it must be awful to get flooded out .

Was it today Vera and OH was travelling , with this weather it won't have been a very pleasant journey .

Anng thats good he's got your computer running well for you, you'll be OK for a while now .

Afternoon all. had the service done on my computer and it is running really well at the moment. He was here almost an hour and a half and he did a good job again.

Hi Mandy hope all goes well with Colins flu jab and you get yours booked in soon.

I have just picked myself a bunch of flowers from the garden.

Morning all,

Dull here this morning and raining its13 degrees so not cold .

I had my covid jab yesterday and Colin had his tablet review so we were out twice in the morning I did ask about the flu jab when we went to the doctors for his review and she said Colin should ask while in for his review and she would do it but when he asked she said she couldn't do flu jabs as she wasn't qualified to do them ,so she booked him in for ten past two in the afternoon so back out again in the afternoon.
She did say I could have mind too but I didn't fancy having two sore arms so I'll nip into boots and get mine booked in.
Colin had a long wait at the doctors as there was an emergency, an ambulance turned up and took a chap away ,his appointment was 11.15 and he finally went in just before twelve .

A day for keeping in I think ,I have a pile of ironing to do and I need to have a good hoover through with doing things in the garden a lot of things get left .

Vera you really had a day of it what with the car and not getting your shopping. You would have thought the gara\ge would have told you it needed a new battery.

Enjoy your day in Anng.

I have my toenails done this afternoon and I am not sure if BIL is coming today or not.

Its wuite bright here this morning and it 12 degrees same as you Anng. pc says mostly cloudy but the sun has been out a bit but seems to have gone while I was typing.

My mum used to put her geranuims in thick paper carrier bags and dad would store them in the loft. One year it was really cold and they did'nt survive.

I am having trouble lifting my right rm up today and I have a cold. I have a small parcel to do up and get to the post van before it goes.

Wishing you all a better day to get things done.

Morning all,

I need to read Vera's post and Anng's but thought I would let you know I am here.

good morning all. It is very wet and dark out there but is 12 degrees so not cold. It doesn't seem to be too windy at the moment. I have no plans to go out. In fact have PC man coming to give my computer a 'service' this morning He doesn't live far and usually walks but I hope he doesn't arrive all dripping wet. Hopefully he will come by car. Other than that nothing planned

I'd wondered about storing the geraniums bare rooted Mandy. I know you can put them in paper bags or cardboard boxes but I would end up with so many bags or boxes I wouldn't know where to store them. I wonder whether I could get a couple of our troughs into my mini greenhouse and put them there. Do you cut them back at all before you put them in your tubs? Some of mine are quite big. It would be quicker to do that than all the lifting, potting up etc that I usually do. Like you, once I've lifted them, I don't water them any more till spring.

We are having another bad day :-( This morning I dashed about getting showered and hair washed early as we were meeting several friends for coffee. I was then going to go into Sainsbury's and get some shopping. What happened? Car wouldn't start. OH knew the battery would be flat after standing at the bodyshop for nearly 4 weeks but it started OK when he picked the car up on Tuesday and he took it for a good run before coming home with it. I think the battery must have been on its last legs. As the car is a Volvo we have their own breakdown cover so rang and were told they would send a technician as soon as one was free. A chap turned up about 1.30 and after checking said the battery needed replacing. He then spent quite a while charging it up with his sophisticated machine so that OH could drive it. They then phoned Halfords locally to check that they had a suitable battery and would fit it. That's where OH is now. I feel I have just about had enough over the last couple of months.

At least the weather isn't too bad. It rained overnight and drizzled for the first part of the morning but has been dry since, though I think it's supposed to start raining again later.

As I haven't been shopping I'd better now go and investigate the freezer and see what I can find for dinner tonight. I hope you are all having a better day than me.

Morning Anng and all,

Very grey here today also and 12 degrees probably have rain later on.

I need to go and get some chickens food so thats one job for today. I wish I knew when they were coming to see about the low flow on my water as the shower won't work on the low pressure.

I have the chripodist (SP) tomorrow so will have to give my feet a good soak tonight.