General Chat

Afternoon All,

Sunny and 13 degrees here with the promised rain due shortly. Good job OH got the washing put out and it dried and is put away now. There are two more loads to do though and I think rain is forecast the next few days.

Yes, kidney stones can be very nasty as I had a friend who had one and said it was worse pain than childbirth. OH still thinks it is muscular though and when he pegged out the washing it seemed to set it off so he may be right. We'll be straight to A&E if it gets worse, but it's settled down again now. He had a migraine travelling back from Worcester yesterday so had to drive extra carefully and went to bed after having something to eat.

I hope everyone's aches and pains soon ease. I wonder whether the damp weather is making things worse? My knees seem to be a bit better though. It helps going out of the front door down the step backwards as I don't twist my knees turning. I must have a go with these compression stockings, but am not sure how I will manage to get them on very easily with knees that crunch and grate and hurt if I bend them much. I think losing some weight is the best way forward really.

Mandy, the floods seemed worse in some of the fields yesterday, but less in other places as the water level in the brook in the next village was about a foot lower. The rain that's forecast can only make things worse again though. OH showed me the pictures of the floods in the local paper yesterday and some roads in the city were covered all across and a wildlife park that had several lakes from old sand workings was just one big lake with water lapping across the access road to it. We have never known it as bad before. All the building of new houses is making things worse too. When they build the big warehouses the water from those is planned to run under the main road and into the river as well.

I hope the new remote is ok AnnG and works the tv ok. It's always a relief when you try something and it works ok.

Vera just be careful and leave the garden a bit longer as 'the voice' said. You don't want to make things worse. You could perhaps consider one of those outdoor plastic storage boxes for your cushions as well and keep it in the garage. It's good that the man you went to see is able to be entertaining people again as he has had a tough time with his health.

The wind hasn't reached us here yet Mel but I expect it's on his way. I had to smile at OH as I bought some white eggs the other day. Can you believe he didn't know white chickens laid white eggs! I must ask him what he thought did lay white eggs! :-)

it is showing 13 degrees here but feels colder with a cold wind.

I seem to have run around chasing my tail today and it is now well after 3pm. Looking back I suppose I have done lots of small jobs, finished packing up one set of presents for Hampshire, cooked veg for this evening, done a bit of photography group admin, chatted to daughter via email, Nothing very strenuous but I feel really tired. not enough sleep last night obviously.
Trying not to give myself time to think about the appointment tomorrow.

Vera that sounds an interesting talk but I have never heard of hi, sorry. I rarely for pretty obvious reasons, listen to the radio these days.

Mandy, it sounds as if you need to rest for a few days, hope you recover your energy soon.

That was nice to see someone you had previously heard on the radio. I wonder if he found his birth parents or mother at least.

I have been fishing leaves out of the pond all morning and theres going to be lot of sticks to pick up off the orchard lawn that have blown off the ash tree.

Had'nt realised the time and I must eat something as I thought I was hungry.

Afternoon all

According to the forecast it’s 14 degrees with sunny spells and a moderate breeze. Well, no-one told the sun as he hasn’t got out of bed this morning, the moderate breeze is a strong, gusty wind and it’s far too chilly to be 14 degrees!

I hope your new remote works OK when it comes AnnG.

Mandy, I am being very good. Apart from my exercises, all I have done this morning is prepare our dinner which is now cooking for 2 pm. I was looking at some troughs near the back door that contain busy lizzies and antirhinums that are past their best when this voice behind me said “Don’t even think about it” so I don’t think I will be allowed to do anything in the garden.

I hope your OH’s pain is easier today Annx. It sounds as if he needs a doctor to check him over sooner rather than later. Physician associates are not going to be any good if they just cause more delay, as you say, and if he suspects a kidney stone or infection then it should be looked at quickly. Yes, it was a surprise sitting next to my dentist at the theatre. I had seen her twice the previous week getting my plate repaired and I have an appointment in 5 weeks for a check up. She amazes me as she looks about 28 but must be more like 48 as she has been working at that surgery since 1998. We went to see Mark Steel - Work in Progress. Many people don’t seem to know him, probably because he is on radio a lot more than tv. He’s a writer, broadcaster, comedian. He used to do a show called Mark Steel’s in town, where he visited towns and with a local audience would talk and joke about their town. He’s been out of action for a while as he has had neck and throat cancer and is now starting to come back and is trying out ideas in smaller theatres. He was very funny and it was great value for money. All the tickets were £15 and the show was 2.5 hours with only one very short interval. I could have done with a little less swearing which you don’t get on the radio shows but they are probably censored. On a flight to Russia in 2017.i listened to a serious broadcast by Mark Steel about his search for his birth mother (he was adopted). It was very emotional and also very interesting from a genealogical point of view.

Our dinner is ready and needs dishing up so I’d better finish. Hope you are all having a nice Sunday.

Thanks Mel I have found and ordered the correct one.

Mandy I just couldn't find the on off switch last night (it was 11 o'clock! but found the TV book this morning and found the on/off switch so OK for now.

Morning all,

Dull morning here but its dry ,it was cold first thing only 4 degrees .

Just got a chicken ready for the oven later and done the veg ,a hoover round and that's my lot as I feel really tired today ,I have been doing more again so think I'll have to slow down again .

I can remember we bought one of those remotes that can be used on any make of television you had a book with all the codes in for each make of television .
Anng have you looked on the television to see if you have an on off button some have them on the bottom of the screen .

Ann let's hope it's only muscular pain that OH has as kidney stones can be very painful ,I hope they can soon find out what it is .
How are the floods your way ,we seem to be really lucky this way as we haven't had hardly any rain .

Vera hope your painful back is a bit easier today ,be good and don't do to much .

Mel hope your hip is easier for you today too.

Oh tablet time now I don't know where the morning has gone and can you believe we're nearly out of September.

The wind up and its very strong it just happened . Its blopwing all the leaves in the pond.

There's this one on Amazon.

Universal Panasonic TV Remote Control Universal Replacement for ALL Panasonic Smart TV’s - Works Straight Away, No Setup Required - Universal TV Remote Control

Its £7.95 + delivery of £4.95

I bpought mine in the local shop that sells all white goods and tellies and it was just under £20 but well worth it. She said it was compatable with all tellies.

Always assuming it works Mel, otherwise it could be £50. The TV is getting on a bit now but still very good. Just hope the remote works as I am having to use stand by at the moment.

Morning Ann and all,

Dull here too this morning and its 13 degrees with rain coming in two hours so thats good to look forward to I don't think.

Ann I bought a new changer for my telly and it was nearly £20 so that was a good deal if you got one for £10.

I have a small thorn in my finger from yesterdays fight with the thug rose and its really annoyinng. May have to get the needle out and have a dig as its on my left hand.

Good morning all 8 degrees here and dull. Not a good night last night couldn't get to sleep. That was predictable as I couldn't make the Remote turn off the TV when I wanted to go to bed. In the end I had to leave it on stand by. I think the remote is past it so have just managed to track down and order a new one. (£10.a new one from panasonic was £50). So I will see how that works when it comes. The one I have has been spasmodic for a while now.

Iv'e been inthe garden and cut down some more of the thug rose and had some branches off the big Camelia down there at Prickerly Bottom. I can hardly see the hog house thats down there the bush has grown right over it.

Hip and side not too bad today I think moving around more walking back and forth to the trailer helped it and the wheat bag last night.

Doing a roast now just chicken breast and I shall keep one to make a chicken and broccoli plat thing for if Stu comes next week I can put that in the freezer ready.

As I can't use weed killer near the ponds I put boiling water on patches of weeds at a time and that kills them off. I also use the water from boiling a ham that works wonders.

Afternoon All,

It was chilly but lovely sunshine earlier, but now it's dull with rainy looking clouds and but it is still only 13 degrees now. OH has gone to a match in Worcester so not sure what time he'll be back. He wasn't impressed they are charging £5 to park! He went to see the doc two days ago as his pain in his side doesn't seem to be getting better after a couple of weeks. It was a physician associate he saw who poked and prodded making it hurt far more and who wants to arrange blood tests after he has spoken to a GP and thinks it may be a kidney stone or infection. OH still thinks it is a muscle, but is still waiting for them to call back two days later. It's not helpful is it if using these physician associates means delays like this. Anyway at least he was glad the extra pain from the poking and prodding has gone ready for the drive to the match today.

Vera we are in just the same position with the garden and inside! Despite me not growing any veg this year I still haven't managed to get on top of the garden or the indoor jobs. I'm hoping next year will be better and that I can catch up a bit now it's cooler, as the heat really brings me to a standstill. Fancy you ending up sitting next to your dentist at the theatre! He could have given you a quick checkup! ha ha. What did you go to see at the theatre?

Yes it's always a worry that cats may try to find their way back to their old home, especially if they get out soon after moving home Mandy. I rang a vet yesterday after they advertised on FB that a ragdoll cat had been handed in to them a couple of days ago and it's microchip details were out of date and they wondered if anyone had any information as to it's owner. I am always looking on the Animal Aid Rescue site as I sometimes take things for their charity shop and often look online at the dogs and cats they have. Just a few weeks ago they had an identical grey ragdoll cat with dark paws, face etc like a siamese cat markings and had rehomed it. I gave the vet's the details so they could ring to find out the new owners to contact to see whether they had lost it. I hope it was the same cat! I hope the lady in the wheelchair comes by today!

Mel that's handy having some mulch for your borders and I hope they cut down the Beech branches too. We have a water meter like you but OH has had a letter to say they need to visit to do something to it, so I must have a read of the letter as I can't imagine what?

What was your photography subject this week AnnG? We have had more weeds in the gravel with not keeping on top of them the past 2 years. My first FIL said 'one year's seed equals seven year's weed' and I think he was right.

I'd better get a wash on ready to put out in the morning, which the forecast says will be dry, at least in the morning, then do tomorrow's veg ready so I can lie in for a while tomorrow.

Back is a bit stiff but hopefully it will go off. Can you set up(cover) a table in the conservatory and sit to pot up some cuttings.

I have made two Christmas cards and now am going to read the paper that Cynth got for me this morning. I only have the Saturday DM as that has a good TV paper in it.

You've been busy today AnnG. I hope you don't stiffen up too much. We seem to be a thread of old crocks lately don't we.

Mandy, it always seems as though winter is on the way when the garden furniture gets put away. Ours stays out all the time. I forget what it's made of but it's something like cast aluminium and is OK to stay out but it now looks a bit bare as OH has taken down the big parasol that goes over the table and that's now in the garage. The cushions from the chairs are kept in the conservatory all summer and just put out when we need them and then they are stored in the garage all winter. I don't want to do that anymore after a mouse got in and chewed 2 of them to bits so they'll have to stay in the consevatory. I've told OH to look out for some sort of storage chest that will fit the cushions and act as a table in the conservatory. It's got to look good as well. Such a thing probably doesn't exist.

My problem in the garden is that at this time of year I am usually taking cuttings of things like geraniums and lifting and potting up other stuff to go in the greenhouse. OH says if necessary we'll buy new plants next year so I shouldn't worry but I think it's hard wired into me to save money by growing my own from cuttings and seeds and, anyway, I enjoy the challenge. I also want to clear some of the pots with annuals that are near the end of their life as in a few weeks I will want to plant up some of my spring bulbs in those pots. Oh well, what will be, will be.

I did manage a little bit of ironing this morning and did a bit of admin. I've just got some filing to do and tonight's dinner to sort out. I'm just going to put a load of mince in a pan with anything else I fancy throwing in, cook it up and serve it on a bed of noodles. There will definitely be tomatoes in it. Right now we are having tomatoes with everything.

I'm going to do my bit of filing and then rest my back for an hour. At the moment I can't stop yawning. How can I be this tired if I've hardly done anything?

Trouble with having a nice calm sunny day after all the rubbish wet or windy ones is that you remember all those jobs that need doing. Just spent an hour trimming off all the spent flowers off the large lavender bush. Got the small bushes to do yet and the large daisies. Wouldn't be so bad if the sun had not come out after i cleaned the bathroom, lounge and dining room. I think I might be stiff tomorrow.

Forgot to post this, that was before lunch, Have just cut down a large patch of Esther Reads (White daisies) I am hoping to have all but the lavender dug up and this patch gravelled with rocks on it when Jake has the time.

Good luck with the lady on the scooter I hope you manage to catch her even if its just to let her know you know she took things without paying. Mention you have a camera on the table so you can see who buys what and who takes things. She won't do it again if she thinks there's a camera on the sales.

BIL is here he turned up latish for him and he is mowing but not picking up as he has to go and pick his wife up from work. I bought him a hot pasty up the shop and he had that while mowing.

Afternoon all,

Lovely sunny day here this morning we got all the garden chairs and table put away for the winter ,it does look bare out there now ,just the canopy on the gazebo to come down but we have to leave that for son to do as its very fiddly with the tiny nuts to undo and it means a lit of stretching up .

Vera as Anng said things won't be growing as much now in the garden ,I'm sure your garden can't be that bad ,shem we don't have the Bob a job cubs /Scouts anymore they were handy to help with a bit of tidying and sweeping .

I'm keeping my eye out for the lady on the scooter as she comes through on a Saturday afternoon.

My heating is on very low just to take the chill off. The temp has gone up to 7 now but it feels very cold outside. I went to put some scraps on the bird table and stopped on the way in to pull five or six weeds from the gravel (goodness knows what the membrane is doing, it is not stopping some weeds. I had a quick wander and survey of the pots in the garden and, as they are still flowering they are staying as they are for now.
Vera I think with your garden, try and ignore what needs doing until your back has eased or OH gets a sudden burst of 'must do' in the garden. It shouldn't be growing now so will still be the same in a few weeks. you can sort it then. Fretting about it will only make you feel worse about your back. Anyway your garden was so nice to start with it can't look that bad.

Mel, try and stay away from the garden until your back has recovered.