General Chat

We have a little sunshine at the moment, Florence, but it's in short bursts in between frequent showers, so I don't really have any to spare!
It's also quite windy, but that's good, as it keeps the midges away.

It's been a quiet week, so I haven't anything to report.
Just pottering about with the usual routine things - garden when weather and midges allow; grocery shopping last Friday; church on Sunday; washing dried outside yesterday when it was dry, sunny and windy all day.
And of course spending far too much time at the computer, as usual! That's not good for my posture, as I tend to sit with my head poked forward so that I can see the screen with the lowest part of my varifocal specs.

I have one potato plant, which is a surprise. I grew some in potato bags last year, and left the compost in the bags after harvesting them, so this one plant must have grown from a stray potato left behind. I had decided not to grow any this year - so it's a nice surprise, not having required any thought or effort from me!

I do have a lot of strawberry plants, all in pots and tubs above ground level, to keep them away from rabbits, and they're looking good so far, with lots of berries developing.

Your new kitchen will be lovely when it's done, Linda. Is that the last bit of renovation you intend to do - at least for the moment?

Morning all looking in.
Well I was up early at 7.30 and oh my the rain!! The wind was howling and the rain was torrential. My little flower pots were stable but some of the blooms were blown away.

Its still showery and very blustery although the sun is trying to peep through.
I had a busy day yesterday as the grass cutters were here dead on 10am, then my hairdressers 10 minutes later and then the bin lorry after 11 so the traffic here was busy lol.

She chopped about 8 inches off my hair!! It was way down my back like a horses mane but now I feel its too short and just sitting above my shoulders. Trouble is for the last 18 months I have got used to my hair being so long and now have the other extreme.

I guess once its frown a couple of inches, I feel better about it. Short hair really does not suit me at all.

Linda, you have had a busy few days and was nice to have your son at home too. Hope your new bathroom arrives in one piece and your bedroom looks good after being painted.

I have Tesco coming between 11-3 but no update as to how many stops away it is.

I have a huge basket of ironing to do as haven't done any since the weekend but really have to wait until after Tesco.
The tumble dryer will get a use today as no way can I get any washing out with this awful weather.

If you have seen the sun anyone, can we have it back please :-D :-D

Afterall its nearly mid summer isn't it :-S

Hope everyone else is well and ok

Florence in the hebrides

Good morning, I have been awol from the thread for a few days because I have been so busy.
I had a good day out with Eve on Wednesday, the archery was good fun. It was easier than I remember because the arrows have little notches on the back to clip on the string and the bow has a little ledge for the arrow to rest on. I remember in the past, the arrow just falling off when I tried to fire it. My left shoulder which is my bad one was actually fine. My right elbow and hand were aching a bit by the time we finished, but it soon wore off. We went to the wildlife park in the afternoon and it was very good, she loved it and wants to go back again.
My son arrived on Thursday to spend a few days with us, so that was very nice. On Friday we went into Harrogate to do a guide history walk, so we took Eve with us. It was interesting and not boring. Afterwards we had a very nice lunch.

Yesterday we went out for Sunday lunch which is always good. We walked down the path at the side of the house onto a lovely shady lane which is next to the river. It is a no through road for traffic, so we walked along that for thirty minutes to a lovely pub on the river. On the way we were having serious house envy as all the houses are incredibly expensive.

We are back on our own now, so OH has started painting our bedroom. We just had a new tumble dryer delivered, a heat pump condensing type. The old one is a vented one, it is in perfectly good order, but in the new kitchen design, it has to be on an int wall, so can’t be vented to the outside. The whole new kitchen is being delivered on Friday, it will have to go into the garages. They were supposed to be starting on the installation next Monday, but they have put it back to the Wednesday.

Yay the sun has come back :-D :-D :-D

Although a bit windy, it is very warm outside :-D

What everyone up to today?

I've just treated myself to a new Dyson ball vacuum cleaner. Last one is 7 years old and has a replacement drum so time for it to go elsewhere. Hairs were just getting tangled around the rollers and wasn't picking up as well. i have thoroughly given it an MOT but once my new one comes, I shall find it a new home. It does still work so may do someone else a turn for awhile.

off to go outside and see how my plants are growing.

Florence in the hebrides

Afternoon all looking in.

JustGinnie, sorry your hands have been sore but cold damp weather isnt good for the joints at all. Although it has been a lovely day here, we have days of fog and mist a few days ago and not good if like me you're asthmatic,

Well im very happy this afternoon as just got word that my Polytunnel application has been approved and I can now go ahead and order it. im so happy & excited and cant stop smiling. best news ive had in ages. :-D :-D :-D

Linda, hope your shoulder is ok as havent seen you around last 2 days.

we finished off planting up the last tubs in the garden and have to say, it all looks wonderful. My new red rose filled a little gap at the top of my little fence and looks fab. All my different coloured hanging pots are now on the fence with dark blue lobelia in them which will grow and bush out nicely.

I've already had 2 nice compliments from people this afternoon about how gorgeous it all looks so that was very nice to hear.

Hope everyone else is well and ok.

Florence in the hebrides :-D

Morning all,
Been quite chilly here the last few days. I haven't been out in the garden much so OH has been looking after the plants. My hands have been painful and quite stiff as well which is down to the damp and chilly weather I think.

Lovely that you had a good day out Florence, it makes such a difference to how we feel getting out and about even for a day.

Linda hope your shoulder won't be too sore after the Archery .

Joan hope you are doing ok, has your weather improved enough for some gardening?

Enjoy the weekend everyone and hope you have some nice sunny weather.

Ginnie.

Evening all.
was out for a day out today with my good friend i use to work with.

Went round all the shops and I bought a few nice things including 2 new handbags. One teal and one black. The black one was gorgeous and had a price tag of £105 but when I got to the till, she said, noooo its actually £34.95 that's just the RRP. so that ws a cracker of a bargain.

Had lunch in a hotel and was delicious. Quite empty as was early and that suited us well. Then off to the garden centre where i bought some bedding plants, Lobelia, bizzy lizzies and some others. I bought a rose too as couldn't resist and bought one for my friend as a thankyou for all her help.

Last stop was the coop and only needed a few things. Got a message then from daughter who was back at the dentist...(long story) and asked us to wait for her so she could get a lift home!

Finally back home after 4pm and I'm so tired but it was a lovely day for us in between the heavy showers lol

if its fine tomorrow, I shall be planting up the planters etc and finishing off the tubs.

Hope everyone else is well and ok

Florence in the hebrides

Dealing with utility companies is a nightmare Florence, I feel for you.

I took Esme to Lightwater Valley today. We only went on two rides because it was raining for a lot of the day, but there were lots of shows and indoor things to do, so she had a good time. Her parents were working today, so it got her out of the way. My back is really aching tonight as I was pushing her small wheelchair around all day.

Tomorrow she is staying home, so her mum will have to cope with her while she is working. I am going to take Eve out for some of the day. We are going to do archery for an hour. I really don’t want to do that as my shoulder will ache, but the minimum booking is for two. I am then going to find somewhere for lunch, then go to a small wildlife park.

Afternoon all

Hope you and hubby are both feeling better now Linda.

Dry but overcast day with a good breeze but no sun! Daughter elsewhere until Thursday so very quiet here.

Got a reply from the Estate Agents earlier about my email i sent them. They said they couldn't believe they went round to my brothers!! But they said, they just told them to contact their sol.

Waited in the queue for EDF and after 45 minutes, I gave up so sent them a long email telling them to make sure account is closed and not to send any further correspondence.

Got through to Br Gas and the lady insisted my account was closed. I said strange that as I have just logged in!! I told her to remove my email and my details from their system as I do not intend to use them as I don't live in England! I received an email within 5 minutes confirming account has now been removed but I shall check tomorrow just to make sure.

Just the C Tax dept to refund me and close that down and we are all completed now.

Going to sort out the headstone very soon when brother is back from his holidays. We left money in a slush fund to pay for it.

Hope everyone looking in is well and ok today.

Florence in the hebrides

It is a cloudy day here and keeps spitting with rain. I managed to get out into the garden and plant more plants into the rockery. There is quite a large rockery sloping down into the back garden.
When we moved in, it was the only place with any plants in it at all. I have been adding more in since we moved, so it is quite full now.

OH is still busy with the bathrooms. We got a mirrored bathroom cabinet as part of the deal on the showroom bathroom. He tried to put it up this morning, but it is far too heavy. The wall it needs to go on is an interior plasterboard wall, so there is no brick or breeze block to drill into. He has given up and we will just use the mirror which was already there. We don’t need the storage as I bought a unit with canvas drawers for that bathroom
I have advertised it on the local for sale sites, but I doubt there will be any takers. Of course when I put it on the free site, I will be inundated.
Before my daughter moved, they had no furniture, so they bought a beautiful John Lewis sofa from our next door neighbours. It was almost brand new and very expensive when new My daughter got it because they thought that they would have to wait three months for the huge U shaped sofa they were going to order. As it turned out by a miracle someone had ordered the exact same sofa , but when it came, they couldn’t fit it in their house ,so they were able to get it straight away. They used the John Lewis sofa in another room for a couple months until they bought a different sofa for that room. They tried to sell the sofa for a very low price, but there were no takers at all. In the end, they put it on the free site and of course people were fighting over it.

ArgyllGran, hope you get good results.

Midgy day here too. I opened bathroom window after my shower and I'm sure the blighters came in as my neck is itching me!

Daughter had to get emergency dentist appointment so waiting on her to ring. Appointment was at 2,30 lol yes really it was and she was in pain.. She has a wisdom tooth that only came through a bit but the gum is red and not much room for it to fully emerge. They may give her antibiotics and a referral to the dentist hospital within the hospital as I think they will need to cut the gum to remove it.

But i did tell her, there will be a waiting list so shall have to be patient.

She is a very impatient patient but she has learning difficulties and isnt good at processing info or timescales. So hoping it wont take long to sort. Toothache is just the worse pain on earth so i do sympathise with her but I don't have a magic wand sadly.

Oh yes - bother!
Can't even look anything up. Maintenance going on until 7.00am tomorrow.

A cloudy day here, with intermittent rain and a few short sightings of the sun. Not a day for gardening - everything's wet and midgy.
In any case, I have to be near the phone, as my GP is going to phone this afternoon with results of tests on blood and urine samples from my routine annual review appointment last week.
Fingers crossed everything's OK!

I just went on the GRO to download something online and it says, maintenance going on and so you cant order anything grrr.

Better go and vacuum or dust as cant seem to get anywhere on here today!

Hi to everyone.
Florence we have sunshine, at long last after several, very dismal, damp & misty days we have a really nice day, I have been outside & done some errdkilling here & there through the gravelled areas.

I have Roses in bud,& the 4 new Clematus are coming on a treat, I have tied the stems on to the canes & after that they are free to climb & scranble anywhere they like, they are up against a long stone wall, about 25 foot long & about 3 to 4 foot high, so plenty of space to go whereever they want.

I can see the wall from the living room window so when the flowers appear it should give a nice show.

I haven't been able to continue to cut down the rest of the Rugosa hedging,I think there are birds in what's left so I am leaving it for the time being, the half that I did manage to cut back has put on some new growth, I'm ok with that but i don't want it to get back to the height it used to be, once I can tackle the rest of it I will just make sure I can keep it at a more managable height.

All the best to everyone.

Joan.

Exactly. I shall ring them 1st thing tomorrow. I shall say, i dont live in England, I live in another country lol Now get this account blooming closed pronto lol

Keep your account open. I don’t like the sound of that - what if the new owners don’t register a new account?

Afternoon.
Raining and foggy here...what's new!

Just been busy with usual chores and a huge basket of ironing but all done now and i'm sitting resting my legs.

At least I don't have to water all the plants later.

I emailed the estate Agents first thing and now realised they are probably closed as BH grrr. I'm sure they will contact me tomorrow.

Br Gas sent me an email confirming the balance is at zero and said they would keep my account open in case I need them in the future after I asked them to close it!! So another tel call to deal with tomorrow and so it goes on and on.

What's everyone up to today and anyone got the sun please?

Florence in the hebrides

What a nerve!
It should have been passed on.
Anyway, if they were that concerned they should had the gas checked themselves.

When late BIL’s house was sold OH passsed on the number of the key safe to the estate agents. 3 weeks later same agents were asking for the number. :-|

Afternoon all.

Well for now its bright and sunny but with a keen chilly wind. However its good for drying so the washing is heavily pegged on the line.

I have just spent the best part of an hour trying to pack some gifts in a box for my cousin's 60th birthday but he lives in Sydney Australia. I couldn't find a box of the right size so had to cut up a larger box and mend and make do as they say.

Finally padded with bubble wrap and extra cardboard for support and then wrapped in a heavy duty bin bag, its now ready for posting. I printed out the address labels , mine and his and stuck them on the front.

Written a list of the contents for the PO so there's no confusion like the last time!!

I'm guessing as it weighs 3.5kg, it will be pricey but we only do gifts for special birthdays.

Had a bit of a situation at my brother's house this morning. He was out with the wee one but SIL was at home. Knock at the door and 2 European people were on the doorstep, the new owners of mums flat! they demanded to get a copy of the Gas safety cert done back in Dec which both sols and Estate Agents had. SIl told them to contact their sol and that they cannot just turn up at their house anytime they have a problem.

She messaged me and I have an email with the cert attached to send first thing tom morning to the Estate Agents asking them to contact the buyers and invite them in for a chat. I've asked them to explain that they cannot turn up for anything else to my brothers house and instead should contact their sol if there is a problem.

Lucky my brother was out as he would have hit the roof and sent them packing but SIL was calmer about it. What next?// They couldn't come to me as I'm too far away!

Joan, good to see you posting. Yep we have had so much fog here too, so depressing and for me being asthmatic, its not good when its damp weather.

When i make a curry, I buy chicken breasts(frozen) and cook them, adding onions, peppers, mushrooms etc plus the sauce. Even if the sauce has veg, I always add extra. I'm thinking now, mmmn curry would be good tonight lol Thanks Joan for putting that idea in me head.

Hope the sunshine and warmer weather returns soon so we can all get outside and feel the benefit of it.

Florence in the hebrides

Good Morning, though there's nothing good about it.
It's very drab, again, it's misty again at the moment & really dim so much so I have had to put the living room light on., not for the first time these past few days I have had to have it on.

Because of the dismal weather I haven't been able to get into the garden for several days, it's not cold but I need "day light" to work outside safely & I really don't want to be outsdie when the air is damp with mist .
I haven't been able to finish painting the potting shed which is annoying.

re handbags, I use a handbag but it's by no means a large one, just need it to hold my purse, some tissues, my house keys & a spare fold away shopping bag,
I don't have a mobile phone, I don't drive & don't use make-up so I don't require a big.bag.

I have settled on having a curry for tea today, just a shop bought one but I have some extra chicken to add to it, the one I buy is a nice mild one & I like it but there's not enough chicken in it, lol.

Well I best get on with some household tasks, I'm not really in te mood for HW but I need to show willing.

Joan.