THIS POST IS CLOSED
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 36 Life Outside Ambridge
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 36 Life Outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Popular posts from this blog
Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments' - Episode 8 Life Outside Ambridge Beach Chairs
Beautiful pic. Is it Central Park?
ReplyDeleteSo peaceful !
ReplyDeleteYes, Central Park (short of time lately - this pic is a repeat.)
ReplyDeleteI love winter scenes.
We now have 3 blogs opened and they are all filling up so fast! This is wonderful to see. I will try to keep up with you all. From time to time you may see a repeat of opening photo, so excuse me.
ReplyDeleteNo need to apologise in any way, shape or form Ruthy!
DeleteAbsolutely, Ruthy, & bring back as many pics as you like, they're all super. My particular favourites are the 2 Canterbury Tales, with the characters on their pilgrimage(hint....)
DeleteI have decamped to Edinburgh for a couple of days - am currently sat on the roof terrace of the National Museum looking over the city, wearing a t-shirt in the sunshine! It is such a beautiful scene here... Been bumbling around all the galleries and the gardens, and sitting in pubs eating and drinking and people watching.
ReplyDeleteI'm soooo contentified...!
and I am soooo jealous...!
Delete...& I'm soooo picturing it, doing exactly the same things, probably in a maximum dress or jumpsuit, drinking vodka & tonic or, in honour of where I am, maybe a watered down single malt ( but dilute is probably sacrilege?)
Delete'maxi' !!!
DeleteI love Edinburgh, though I haven't visited for many years. I must remedy that soon. I always wanted to go to the "Tattoo" until I saw how the seating was built.
DeleteI always promised my mum I would take her to the 'Tattoo' Miriam and eventually one year I did.
DeleteWe went on one of those cheapie coach trips, the best I could afford, and stayed between the two cities.
She loved the Tattoo, so did I, but best for me was the two hours I had in the afternoon in Edinburgh itself, exploring. Alone.
I have promised myself a holiday ever since, but have yet to make it.
One day !
My ex husband 'performed' in the Tattoo many years ago! He was a Junior Seaman and was in a performance in Hornpipe etc dancing in full dress uniform!
DeleteSrange happening twenty years later when we were selling our house in north Kent to move into a four bedroom. A local Detective Constable and his wife came to view. The guy said to ex "I recognise you!" It turned out that he also was there and 'danced' next to him!"
I love coincidences like that Spicycushion!
DeleteRuthy. Our comments are getting longer + longer so are filling the boards up so much more quickly.
ReplyDeletePlease let everyone know if it is a problem. I am sure posts can be made more concise to help you.
"Ruthy's Blog" has made so many, so happy, but I am sure we can all adapt to making shorter posts.
Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteThe new mega-beluga landed in Hawarden, at the Aerospace Broughton plant yesterday. It is leaving on Sat. so will keep eyes + hears open, in case it flies over (which often happens). I would love so to see it.
Not a short, concise post but I know Archerphile will understand this, due to her son working for Aerospace in Tolouse (where Mega-Beluga flies back to tomorrow) and now is in Dubai.
DeleteI missed the beluga flying over Bristol yesterday, but I thought of you, Archerphile and Miriam, and your previous discussion about it.
DeleteHow lovely of you both! Yes Corrin does work for Airbus, Toulouse, but is seconded to Dubai for 5 yrs. We knew there would be an announcement that no more A380s are to be made which is very sad as Corrin had a big input into marketing and launch arrangements when it was first introduced. I’ll never forget the excitement of that first flight, we were so proud on that day.
DeleteBut now they have the new A350 to take its place and the strange Beluga which looks like a giant whale. The stories of job losses in N. Wales and Bristol are highly exaggerated because the production lines can be altered to produce wings for other Airbus planes.
Miriam and all my blogger friends - no problem - blog away as much as you would like and as long a you would like. I enjoy reading everyone's stories, advise, recipes, trip logs and more. This is great fun!
ReplyDelete✔✔😂😀😀
DeleteSo nice to hear you like our many, long-winded chats. We all have many ideas, which can be liked or hated, but luckily we can mention them here without any animosity. Often have to Agree + Disagree, but that is done in a very civil manner.
Grand merci à toi Ruthy, where would we be!
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, did you catch the piece about Dubai on the ' from our foreign correspondent ' on R4 over the last couple of days ?
ReplyDeleteI think you might enjoy it.
No, Mrs P I didn’t. Many thanks for the ‘heads up’, I’ll look for it on Radio4 iPlayer.
DeleteMy dog has left Iasi in Rumania today so is travelling now with 27 other dogs.
ReplyDeleteShe arrives on Sunday and I collect her on Tuesday.
We received photographs and she has had a wash and brush up, and looks very pretty now.
I am pleased because I expected to receive a very smelly and dirty looking pooch.
How exciting! Did you settle on a name yet MrsP?
DeleteNot yet GG.
DeletePlaying with ChiChi on my tongue currently.
Something will come to mind I expect.
When I talked to insurance, and was asked for the cats name, I asked if she was ready for..... ' Puss ' - Ah, she said, I had one last week, ' Cat ' !
So I'm not the only one who's so down to earth.
I'm also thinking of ' girly', but as Maryellen pointed out, no sibilants.
My little sister once had to produce a name, to the vet, for an adopted budgie. She came up with 'Budgie', and had to stick with it.
DeleteI had 1 called Barn Pussy and another Harrys Pussy, self explanatory, one was left behind by previous owners and lived in the barn when I bought the farm, the other returned to his original home (now mine) when its owner died.
DeleteMrs P, I am so thrilled for you that at last your dog is on the way. I hope she fulfils all your dreams and that Puss isn't too upset.
ReplyDeleteThat's very good news, Mrs P - roll on Tuesday ! An anxious, nervous, but well groomed girl. She looked gentle & appealing on the site you directed us to, but scruffy around the torso & legs where on one of them it looked like she'd been injured, but maybe just fur loss.
ReplyDeleteWish I could show the current picture, but although it's on line, it's on a ' closed' group.
DeleteOh ! Just remembered something useful.
Mrs P that’s so exciting. Looking forward to hearing how it all goes and how Puss responds.
ReplyDeleteMrs. P
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you. I wish you well.The name will come as soon as you meet + greet her.
Relaxing her on a sunny Saturday listening to Joni Mitchell 1970 concert at the Isle of Wight.
ReplyDeleteSounds good Ruthy!
ReplyDeleteMrs P so pleased for you - roll on Tuesday 🤗
Whilst we wait for further canine news this week, how about progress report on our 3 rescue chickens, acquired mid November ? All in splendid plumage now, ( brown & cream, but easily distinguishable) & producing excellent eggs - thanks, Chickies !
ReplyDeleteThey started with literary pretensions, the 3 h's in Mid. Nights Dream, much to Mr C's disgust, who was not going to hail the most serene & advanced one as 'Hippolyta', but there again, I was outraged at his choice of Dozy, Mitch & Titch....an impasse.
PART TWO : solution emerged with their differing personalities, & they are now the 3 P's - Polly ( derived from Hippolyta, of course, who, from the start was the most approachable, in a gueenlly sort of way), Pecca, ( the greediest, feistiest & basically evil, will come back to that) & Prudence, shortened to Pru(shy, last in the pecking order but now holding her own, am glad to say)
ReplyDeletePecca, the smallest with least feathers initially, but now fully feathered, pretty, paler than the other two, is far from mild, pushy with a very sharp peck, who actually terrorises our Katya, whenever let out into the garden from the outer run. Now Katya is a fiercely territorial cat, no push over, but the other day, she scampered nervously past the beady Pecca, who chased her & administered a couple of vicious pecks. What do we do ? I'm inclined to think the feathered & the the furred secretly enjoy the drama, but what do we know...
Drama !
DeleteMuch the same attitude that I have adopted with Puss when Raven, dog in adjacent cottage and we share the garden path, follows Puss up the path, with her nose up his bottom.
I think Puss knows precisely what he is up to particularly when he jumps up onto the wall and quietly walks up beside the path and once past the point at which Raven cannot pass jumps down over Ravens head.
My neighbour and I have great entertainment watching this performance.
Our neighbours have 2 kittens who are desperate to meet Pi (our spectacular cat) and likewise, he is consumed with meeting them! At the moment they have to be content with touching noses through the patio doors as they aren't allowed out yet...
DeleteCarolyn - when I lived on Arran for a while, the owners of the hotel where I lived and worked kept about a dozen chickens who would scurry about silently inside if the doors were open during the summer - utterly bizarre to catch sight of them out of the corner of your eye whilst doing something mundane!
DeleteLovely animal stories .
Keep em coming.
We have a beautiful tabby ,Sasha (Mr LJ calls her Slasha )who comes daily to look through the patio doors.
We think she is the one responsible for attacking Percy before he was "our "Percy.
We took him to the vet because his people were at work and it cost us neatly £100 .
He then became "our" Percy
He is a bit of a wimp and is scared of Slasha.
However Poppy whose territory ends at the end of our garden one year ago today saw Slasha approaching the back door and chased her over the tall fence at the bottom of the garden.
She had never ventured that far before nor climbed the fence since .It hasn't stopped Slasha visiting though.
I
Gary if you haven't put your poppy seeds in,now is a good time to scatter them.
ReplyDeleteThey like disturbed soil(they were often seen on the sides of newly built motorways) but once they get established they don't like being moved.
They are on my list Lanjan! We are full steam ahead with potting and propagating yesterday and today - just got loads of antirrhinum seeds this morning and have ordered 200 plugs and plants from Thompson and Morgan! All hardy perennials so that I never have to plant a damn thing again in my life... Well, apart from the window boxes and the baskets and the pots that is. Getting ever so slightly obsessed with gardening now.
DeleteWell Gary it contains crystalised pineapple crystalised cherries ,crystalised ginger(I have some of that) ,sultanas,mixed peel ,walnuts,orange juice.
DeleteIn about a fortnight I plan to do an online order to Sainsbury's and I will see if I can get the cr p and cr ch from them and if so I will make it!
I will also make some cranachan.
Good for you Gary Re the gardening.
DeleteFor someone who doesn't enjoy baking I have spent part of the afternoon looking at my recipe book into which I have put interesting recipes most of which I have never tried.
ReplyDeleteI plan to try some though.
How about "Glasgow Cake or Cranachan or soft fruit brose?
I really fancy some kiwi and ginger brûlée.
Lanjan - what on earth is a "Glasgow Cake"?
DeleteReplied higher up Gary by mistake.
DeleteBlame the g and t I am drinking as I blog.
Buddy surpassed himself over the weekend. On Friday he approached the creek which is tidal. When the tide goes out the mud is revealed. He swaggered down but went too far and sank down to the gunnels in the mud. He is a very small guy, a cross between a Shih Tsu and a Yorkie but he did manage to free himself from the gloopy mud, did two very fast rounds of the grassy area down there and arrived home with Katy looking like the tarbaby in Brer Rabbit! We started on him with a bucket of water outside followed by a full blown bath inside and he is back to his fluffy self! Then yesterday Katy bought herself a rather nice hat, tried it on and left it on the chest next to her bed. He pinched it and ate half the material covering on the peak. It is now in the bin. He is one in March and we are hoping that the puppy mischief will soon disappear but we’re not holding our breath!
ReplyDeleteGypsy is on the mend after her bout of colitis. She hasn’t been walking much in her convalescence but today took her on a walk, reluctant at first but then she got the hang of it and to my surprise she managed the full walk albeit slowly down to the creek. We met Katy and Buddy on their way back and we all went down there together. It was a lovely morning and a delight to sit there watching the boats bobbing around. Although Gyp can’t see she enjoys the sounds down there and the feel of the breeze. She had a bath when we came back as we need to do that frequently because of her skin problems so she is nicely fluffy too now!
Enjoyed the cat and chickens stories. Animals are so funny and add to the lighter side of life!
My lovely puss cat is elderly, 14 this year. She is getting podgy, even though I have not changed her food, nor intend to do.
ReplyDeleteShe is happy + content and that is so important. I always wake-up with her on the bed, snuggled with me. I am not changeing anything, as what will be, will be.
Our first venture into keeping chickens ended up with 3 cockerels & 1 hen - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky & Titch ! All dark copper Marans. Beaky went to friends, Dave Dee & Titch made a lovely couple (until next - door's dog got them ) & Beaky ended up in the pot - delicious! Our cats were extremely wary of them.
ReplyDeleteNow several generations of Marans, Sussex & Orpingtons later .. no hens at the moment, really miss them, such characters.
DeleteOur neighbour is about to add a few Cream Legbar hens to her little flock, as she thinks their blue eggs will be pretty. I used to keep chickens and then geese, but don't now so I buy her eggs. She gives them treats of grapes and strawberries so I reckon they should be very nutritious eggs! The cockerel comes out of their house first in the morning and he has an interesting habit of stroking each hen with one of his wings as they come out, and now after he's done that he comes and strokes our neighbour's leg as well, so he must think she is part of his flock!
DeleteI found goose eggs make very good cakes. We had a little Bantam cockerel once from someone who had too many, and he would fly up into the apple trees and then sit there with his very long tail hanging down looking beautiful.
Nostalgia time.
ReplyDeleteI have just been reading my gardening notes which I started in 1977!
I got 2lbs potatoes from the peelings in the former compost heap in that year.
Then I must have got the bug and bought 5lb of early potatoes at a cost of £1.30
That seems quite a lot to me.
By the end of the Season I had apparently had 70 lbs of potatoes.
According to my notes potatoes then cost about 5p a lb to buy.
What a wonderful journal to keep.
DeleteI buy very cheap potatoes from a farm shop, whose boast is 5mins from field to shop. I believe this, as are wet + need to be dried before storing. This applies to other veg also, such as carrots + cabbages. red savoy or other. So cheap + tasty.
DeleteHave often wondered at some farm shops which charge as much if not more than the supermarket for veg when there is no middle man. Farmers ‘ markets are particularly bad in this way.
DeleteI planted the tomato seeds today. A lady in the TG told me last year she had put seeds from her tomatoes on a piece of kitchen paper, left it long term to dry out then planted it paper and all so have tried it with last years small tomatoes which were sweet and delicious. I also planted some bought moneymaker and plum tomato seeds. We will see! My neighbour gave me some Nerine bulbs so they went in today and also planted some dwarf lavender seeds to hopefully make a lavender hedge at the front. My gardening is more hope than experience! What a lovely day today. It clouded over a bit this afternoon but mostly sunny. I am off to Sandown on Tuesday for three nights with the TG so hope it lasts!
GG.You are a resident of Scotland. When I lived in Aberdeen, I loved "Aberdeen Butteries". Do you have an authentic recipe for these?
ReplyDeleteI just cannot find one, as the recipes I have found are healthy alternatives.
I was introduced to these, in the cafe of the Aberdeen Gallery in the mid '70's and I have never been able to reproduce them.
Never eaten one Miriam but have been told that they are delicious. I have had a quick look online and the recipe on the BBC Food website looks as unhealthy a buttery as you could hope to find anywhere...!!
DeleteYounger son was at University in Aberdeen ,Miriam and tells me he has eaten Aberdeen butteries lots of times.
DeleteHe tells me they are a cross between a roll and a croissant and while he ate them just with butter but that some folk added jam.
Thanks GG + LJ.
DeleteThe butteries are quite unique, made with yeast + lard and eaten only with butter. This is my dilemma, todays recipes are too healthy, as utilise other fats, plus some lard. They are not the same!.
I feel it is sad that these traditional recipes have disappeared. Unhealthy yes, but everything is fine, if eaten in moderation.
Catina arrived in the U.K. At around 8.30 this morning and is now in a comfortable bed at a kennels near Birmingham.
ReplyDeleteThese rescue people are amazing. All volunteers.
Lovely photographs of all the 35 dogs that travelled this weekend.
Oh, it's getting exciting!
DeleteWonderful news Mrs P, such a terrifying journey for her, not long now till she reaches safety and the comfort of your home. May the pair of you have a long and happy life together, Ooops, not forgetting Puss too of course
ReplyDeleteNot to worry - no cat would allow itself to be forgotten !
DeleteWelcome to our shores, Catina !
Very excited for you Mrs P.
DeleteDo these foreign dogs still have to stay in quarantine for so long or am I totally out of date?
No quarantine as such, though a couple of days in the kennels here, though I think some, or one maybe, was collected directly from Horsham yesterday.
DeleteWhen asked the Rescue says Br....t will make a difference with puppies only.
Thank you all for your best wishes.
I slept with the two blankets that I will take to collect her below and above me in bed last night so that she will have my smell from the moment she gets into the car.
The blankets - what a good idea. This winsome girl has fallen on her paws all right !
DeleteAll the best tomorrow Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteA friend once said you should wait until you actually meet your new pet and the name will come to you immediately!
Perhaps that is why my son's two cats are Thin cat and Fat cat
She will be so glad to see someone come specially for her. Good luck with it all.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news Mrs. P.
ReplyDeleteWish you well with your new family addition and she settles down quickly, realising just lucky she now is.
I have an old jumper, which is put into my bed for 2 nights to get my scent, and then goes into puss cats bed, when she goes into The Cattery. Don't worry, it is always well washed on return.
.
I really like the detail of it being well washed.
DeleteCatina (CoCo) your big day has arrived, I am sure you will be very happy, once you have settled in.Might just take a bit of time
ReplyDeleteMisty
Thank you all........
DeleteI shall be on my way in an hour or so.
Have a wonderful day, Mrs P. I’m really excited for you.
ReplyDeleteThrilled to bits.
ReplyDeleteI put out a bird feeder containing niger seeds last week and two greenfinches have discovered it.
We get so many noisy parakeets who eat the sunflower hearts and suet balls but very few tiny birds apart from the odd Robin who appears when we are in the garden.
How lovely for you LanJan, just the usual birds here, though sometimes the longtail tits arrive in force which is good to see.
DeleteWhen I take Misty for her early morning stroll there is a bird who always sings in the ash tree by the gate, I must get a cd of bird songs, it is so lovely, but I cant see to know what it is.
Lovely! last winter we were lucky enough to have several hawfinches as regular visitors, driven west by the severe weather in eastern europe, but none this year...
DeleteMy daughter lived in Mexico for 10 years and, while there, adopted 2 stray dogs. She moved to London last year and took the dogs with her. There is no quarantine but she had to have a health certificate (translated into English) and a certificate proving they had been vaccinated against rabies. My granddaughter was so good with her aunt's dogs when we were there at Christmas (including picking up the the poop) her parents decided she could have her own. They found a puppy which had been abandoned with her sister on a rubbish dump in the south of Italy. A rescue society saved them and vaccinated them and also placed a chip. Now little Chelsea is a much loved member of the family. Her sister was also adopted.
ReplyDelete🐶🐶🐶 what a lovely post Gianna 🤗
ReplyDelete❤
DeleteI agree ,Lady R with what you said about Gianna's post.
DeleteOur Poppy was left in a cardboard box in a vets car park with her kittens.
At least it was the vet's Carpark but it is still wicked.
I saw a wonderful story on TV recently. A soldier serving in Afghanistan, adopted a street dog and they became strong companions. She wouldn't leave him and even went on patrol with him. Sadly the soldier was killed. His parents managed to get this dog found and brought to the UK. She now has a wonderful life with them, in memory of their son.
DeleteSobbed my heart out!!
Thank you. I enjoy reading about your pets so I thought I would share mine.
DeleteThere was another heart warming story ,Miriam about a man who was doing a marathon I think across a desert.
DeleteI think he was a soldier
A little dog joined him and he adopted it.
There was more to the story.
Somehow the dog got lost .
Can't remember exactly how that happened
He spent ages looking for it and eventually found it .
Like you say ,Miraiam stories like that bring tears to one's eyes.
Seed sowing time.
ReplyDeleteAs far as possible I collect my own but today decided to sow some aubretia seeds.
There were very few in the packet which cost a pound or so.
Years ago before Nurseries became Garden Centres ,I used to go to a Nursery where thousands of seedlings were grown in a tray.
They were so close together that the effect was like a green mat.
You then bought so many square inches,the owner cut a square out with a knife and then you took them home and transplanted them.
It isn't the seeds that cost the money; it is the packaging.
I have been given a packet of Hollyhock seeds -£2.99!
Each year I have thousands (will save for anyone who wants them )
The same goes for foxglove ,nigella and verbascum.
You can get thousands of Poppy seeds from one plant but buy them in a packet and they cost pounds.
I was given some wallflower plants about 12 years ago and each year use the seeds from them.
The problem is that it all takes time and time costs the producer money.
I once complained about the price of a cup of tea when it went up to £1 years ago.
One tea bag ,a drop of milk in a jug ,some boiling water-
Then it was pointed out to me that I was paying for the wages of the staff,the cost of the rent ,electricity ,water etc and not just for the drink.
I so agree about the cost of a cup of tea.
DeleteI hate having to spend £2.00 or more, for a cup of hot water + a teabag!
I much prefer a proper teapot, as Fallon would provide with my favourite tea, Earl Grey.
Thinking of you this evening, Mrs P, and your new companion. My s-i-l was here today and we were talking bout your local pub and the traditional carols I have discovered are sung there every Christmas. She tells me there is a year-round rolling programme of live music, and that her son often plays 'gigs' there.
ReplyDeleteYes Sarnia, plenty of music, most of it not to my taste.
DeleteI have been to each season of The Baroque evenings but otherwise give it a wide birth. At weekends I have to try to sleep through the thump thump thump of the base on disco nights and often at other times too. Bank Holidays until 3am.
The carols are legendary but so far I have not gone, but can hear them anyway, from inside my cottage.
So sorry that my in-laws are obviously contributing to your discomfort.
DeleteDog and self safely home. Five and a half hour 160 mile round trip.
ReplyDeleteOver one hour talking with granddaughter this evening plus lots on line re dog group.
Very tired, so news tomorrow.
Look forward to that Mrs P. Kind of you to post so late. Both of you tired but elated I’m sure!
ReplyDeleteSo very pleased for you both 😃
So thankful you are both safely home.
ReplyDeleteVery glad you both had a safe journey, I expect it was stressful, especially for Catina (?? new name yet??). Did you sleep, or did she cry all night. All my dogs cried and cried for the first few days.
ReplyDeleteSeasider, did you manage to sort your central heating up north ?
ReplyDeletesorted I meant.Seasider
ReplyDeleteMrs. P. Glad you have had your meet + greet, and you that you now have a wonderful new member of your home.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward, when you are ready, to learn the name and how things are doing.
🐶
I am feeling very angry. I live in a cul-de-sac and parking is quite limited. Someone has parked a car, over an hour ago, which is blocking my drive. If I had to go out for an emergency, I couldn't!.
ReplyDeleteRant over.
Well a quiet night after an ' accident '. Tonight I will walk her up and down the garden a little longer. She has not eaten, the fish and potatoes I cooked for her was ignored, though she did eat about a tablespoon of pink salmon left in the fridge. Will try chicken and rice tonight. She was waiting at the bottom of the stairs this morning and I think had spent at least some of the night in an armchair.
ReplyDeleteLast night after coming out of the crate, I had to force her back in which was very traumatic, panting and hyperventilating. She did eventually settle, but I was 'told off' on line.
Today she has moved from her bed to various spots on the floor and back to the bed.
Several trips up the long path to the garden and already no longer trying to get into the adjacent garden that we have to pass on the path, and walking more sedately.
However, when I left her for less than five minutes to hang a little washing, I returned to absolute panic. My vintage velvet curtains ripped and she had peed on the floor. She clearly does not like the crate and after this afternoons panic, I am at a loss as to how I will proceed. I have organised myself to be able to stay in for two days, but on Friday must go out.
A neighbour has bought her a squeaky teddy and we went round to say hello. She sat on their doorstep as good as gold, accepting treats and allowing strokes.
She is extremely affectionate asking for petting all of the time.
No problem with bonding !
She has no interest in the cat, and although Puss is complaining loudly at her presence he has not packed his suitcase.
Yet.
She stinks to high heaven and each trip to the garden I manage another handful of vinegar rubbed into her coat, which has made a great deal of difference to the smell.
Even so, I can't wait until I can bath her.
A few yawns and the tiniest of squeaks today, but still no 'voice'. But she is responding to my voice very well.
No name yet but still trying out ideas. Pixie today.
This sounds exhausting & traumatic, Mrs P ! At least she trusts you, & the rest will come in time if you can both get through the next few weeks. ( I remember Percy Cat couldn't eat at first, too anxious in a strange environment, & also very wary of everything, except the two of us. ) Your poor girl has been through a dreadful time.
DeleteThanks for taking us through the first day & night - you know we've been waiting !
I hope you both sleep peacefully tonight & that she eats something before 'lights out'....
I'm sure you will BOTH be feeling much better after a good night's sleep tonight! Yesterday sounds like too much kerfuffle and malarkey for anyone to be honest with you...
DeleteYou're a hero, Mrs P. I'm sure I couldn't do it. But I imagine the first few days will be by far the most difficult.
DeleteGypsy panicked and hyperventilated the first time we tried to get her to sleep away from my bedroom. I moved her back in with me for another week or so but she did get used to her new sleeping place and settles down at night after having goodnight biscuits from Lily’s kitchen. It is very hard work and she still has some issues after being with us for 9 months. I wonder whether you were given information about what Catina has been eating to continue with similar food? She will have issues with toileting in her new environment unfortunately especially when in panic mode and I do feel for you. Gyp is generally good but does still have accidents. You never know what baggage these rescue dogs have! Thinking of you, Mrs P!
DeleteYes we were given instructions re food. Mashed potatoes and white fish, which is what I gave her, but she would not eat. This was because the food they get is ' whatever might be available ' and after traveling for several days might have tummy upsets. She does not have an upset tummy !
DeleteThe cat has eaten today, and he has been asleep on a chair near to the dog on the floor.
She has eaten this evening, chicken but not much of the potato that I added chopped up. ( organic too ! )
Despite the advice not to walk them, when I took her out to do a pee at about ten tonight I decided to walk a hundred yards down the road. Very quiet with few cars at this time, she did stop and look at them. But already walking better on the lead, which is attached to a harness, not around her neck.
Unfortunately, no business achieved !
I wonder what I will find in the morning.
Newspapers on the floor tonight.
Given the trauma she has been through, I think she is doing well, though of course when you are in the middle of things it doesn't feel that way. Although Misty hadn't gone through all the trauma your dog had she did find Buisness a problem, generally going only every 36 hours for quite some time, although unlike yours she had eaten.
DeleteTime and patience, one step at a time and you will get there, the road may be hard though, but the end result will be more than worth it, just wish I was near to support you.
MrsP - only just now a little time to catch up on this blog. Does she have a name yet? Good luck the next few days to get her adjusted to new environment.
ReplyDeleteWe hav e found pee pads handy although she will need to use them and not the floor! They do have stickers to firmly grip the floor. An advance that she ate the chicken. Of course no input one end not much result the other end re the other offering!
DeleteWishing you lots of luck with your new dog. Have you tried covering the crate and leaving one side open? Dogs usually like this as a hiding place. Will she stay in the crate to lie down if you leave the door open and sit next to it? If they have a comfy bed in there they soon get used to it being there “basket”.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure she’ll start to eat soon when she has calmed down. Don’t worry, she’ll only pick up those vibes. Chill!!!
Good luck with "Lucky" ,Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I am calling her until she gets her proper name -because she is.
My nine year old very greedy rescue dog got into my tight-fitting kitchen bin and ate a chicken carcass, which had been wrapped in a plasic croissant box, two days ago. She also removed an empty butter tub which I found behind the settee yesterday. After all these years, she has never tried this before.
DeleteI am watching her input and output like a hawk. She likes finding dead birds etc when we are walking in the fields and will eat what she can before I catch her. She seems to have a cast-iron stomach.
On the other hand, she has an absolute passion for raw carrots, so I save a lot of cash by not buying dog treats :)
Gypsy loves carrots too but Buddy is not impressed by them !
DeleteMrs P.Early days yet, so it is onwards and upwards. She probably doesn't like her crate, as it brings back bad memories of the travel and might think that she is being moved again. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had two rescue cats, it was suggested I had a cat room, where they lived for a week, had lots of food, love and TLC (I took a week off work). This worked. Cats are easier though as use a litter tray.
Good Luck as to the name.
My idea is Cherry.
Blossom??
ReplyDeleteThank you all.
ReplyDeleteLast night we all slept soundly and she wasn't even at the bottom of the stairs this morning, but was curled up in the green velvet nursing chair.
The floor was clean.
To the garden, not pulling on the lead and a nice little wee. Thank you very much !
My vet nurse neighbour visited and advised walking her. " she is your dog now "
So I did and she was really good not pulling and slowing down when I checked her.
But when I took her to the garden and hitched the lead while I hung washing, she chewed through her harness and the lead in about two minutes.
Another visitor later for a meeting, and I took him home in my car.
Not good. She kept trying to jump out, but once the car was moving was ok.
On our return, another walk and a pee and poo.
This dog is scared of being contained. But I am sure she has lived in a home before.
I think that two days in she is doing very well indeed.
I was told today that she looks like Tonto ?
Something about over the rainbow.
I like Pixie. She has a pixie face.
The name will come in due course.
Dog is good enough for me.
Well done Mrs P and Catina, you are certainly on your way .No wonder she doesn't like being contained, it must hold bad memories for her, hopefully soon to be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteOne very sleepy dog this evening. I hear snoring !
DeleteOh, forgot to say, she has discovered her voice.
She growled and barked when meeting friendly dogs today.
And in their house too.
Don't worry folks. I have a very strong " NO " and it will continue to be used until she learns her manners.
No aggression when in their garden though.
Toto. From The Wizard of Oz. 😊
ReplyDeleteAh yes, thank you.
DeleteNot on my radar.
Tonto - Lone Ranger 😊
DeleteMrs P, so glad to hear updates. Sounds a lot of hard work and sad to hear about the curtains but I am impressed with the progress you are making (don’t have any experience myself). How is Puss coping now? I take it sleeping nearby is a sign of acceptance?
DeleteRuthy, meant to say - love your photo of cherry blossom on the other blog. Reminds me of a trip one April years ago to New York & Washington - snow in New York, then all the dogwoods in full bloom in Washington - marvellous!
ReplyDeleteCowgirl, I haven’t looked in on the blog for a couple of days, so thanks for asking about my heating. Mr S drove there on Tuesday and it seems the timer isn’t working. Nothing greatly amiss otherwise and reports that the kitchen has lost its musty smell despite the lack of heating, so the work we did in the autumn seems to have paid off.
ReplyDeleteI will be up there in a fortnight and plan to stay for several weeks. Looking forward to it. Oh, and snowdrops are out in the garden.
Wel’ll meet up for a brew when you’re up seasider if you like sometime.
DeleteHow’s your mum and the tv situation? Is she still on with the archers. ?
PtbY, a cuppa would be great.
DeleteMum hasn’t got a new tv yet although she is on the case. Her old one works if she switches on and off twenty times! She says radio 4 is the only radio station she has on because she doesn’t know how to tune it elsewhere, and doesn’t want to “lose” it. She hasn’t mentioned the Archers again. Not sure she would get on very well with the story lines. I will ask her next time I ring! I think she would be like Jill with Elizabeth and her diagnosis. I think she would expect more farming content as well. She’s not a soap opera fan.
She mentioned the other day that she has twice fallen over on the bus recently, when it moved again after she thought it had stopped and she had got out of her seat to get off. She said she “sat down” on the floor of the bus and the driver had to help her up, was very concerned but she was alright. It’s put her off going on the bus now.
Oh dear Seasider, this is how old people lose their confidence and become stranded and isolated at home.
DeleteI do hope you are able to help her on her confidence, can you go with her on the bus sometime soon ?
Can any one else join you for a cuppa ?
DeleteUnderstand if you just want to meet up together.
Mrs P, that’s a good idea. I tend to drive her when I am up there but that doesn’t help her when I am not there. She does go out several times a week in her village and is very active but I agree it would be good to use the bus with her if she feels up to it.
DeleteCowgirl, of course you and anyone else is welcome. I assume PtbY would agree, the more the merrier.
Exactly. The more the merrier.
DeleteCan I introduce a new topic for a moment and ask for a bit of advice? (Sorry, don’t feel I can contribute to the dog conversation, never having owned one)
ReplyDeleteWe have an oil-fired boiler (no gas where we live) fitted a couple of years ago - I think it’s called a condensing boiler, anyway it’s the only type that is legal now. It has cut our oil consumption by half so was a very good investment.
We had it serviced on Monday, the engineer said it was in good condition and all is working well. However, since then we have strong fumes of oil in the kitchen whenever it is working. I phoned the engineer, he said that’s quite normal and it will fade away in a few days. But 4 days later the smell is still strong and makes it very unpleasant working in the kitchen
Has anyone else experienced this - and if so, how long did it take for the smell to go away?
Sorry can't help Archerphile.
DeleteDid have oil fired CH fifty years ago, but don't remember a smell attached.
And I think I would remember as the previous house we had fumes which had made us all very ill, so was, and am, very conscious of ' smell ' and what it might indicate.
Perhaps you could contact your service engineer again.
Sorry I am no help either as I have never had an oil system. I hope you are able to sort the problem soon.
DeleteHello Archerfile. I have an oil fired Rayburn and oil fired central heating ( had our very ancient misbehaving boiler replaced by a condensing one in the autumn and yes it does indeed improve the oil consumption). Our Rayburn was serviced 2 days ago, and there were no fumes after that one was done, and I don't remember there being fumes after our old c.h. boiler was serviced, but because the condensing one was only put in recently I haven't had it serviced yet to know if condensing boilers are different and do fume. I don't think though that any fumes should still be around 4 days after servicing and I would get back to the service man.
DeleteHi, we have an oil fired boiler too, no mains gas in my part of Hampshire either, sometimes when we’ve had a service or work on the tank/pipes the smell would linger for ages even in the absence of any leaks, frustrating and unpleasant but hopefully nothing serious.
DeleteWell, I have now broken all the rules.
ReplyDeleteThe dog and I have now had three walks, and she is FANTASTIC
She is walking on the lead, sedately, by my side, and at my pace.
Not pulling or jumping around.
No accidents again overnight. A convenient pee in the garden first thing, and a proper business with a few worms this morning. ( that's positive for those who don't know )
Now asleep in her bed.
I think we are going to be OK ..... apart from the being in the car, and leaving her which still needs a lot of work.
But I feel confident for the future.
That sounds great, Mrs P. You are doing a great job with her. She's lucky to have you.
DeleteMost heartening, Mrs P. - you & Tessa ( just a name of a dalmatian I heard a great deal about at one time...) are doing brilliantly. Your patience & care, her strong need to have a home & a life that's right seem to be melding remarkably well in just a couple of days. I had thought it would be longer to reach this stage.
DeleteMrs P ,you know far more about dogs than I do and I am certainly not trying to teach my grandmother to suck eggs.
ReplyDeleteIf you have to take her in your car ,could you put an old jumper of yours on the back seat for her to sit on?
Also if and when you have to go out without her could you put your jumper on her bed?
How wonderful Mrs P
ReplyDeleteWhat rules have you broken ?
For goodness sake, she is a 2 year old, she needs more stimulation than the garden, and an established routine to make her feel safe as quickly as possible.
Do it your way, she is responding well. Rules after all were meant to be broken !
Precisely the attitude of my intensivecare vet nurse neighbour CowGirl.
DeleteThe rule was dog in house and garden only for two weeks to allow bonding.
Well the bonding took less than 24 hours and the exercise/ walks are adding to the bonding exceedingly.
I am about to be really ambitious and take her up on the commons.
She won't be coming off the lead though for some time. Also the cattle don't come out until May so we need lots of time to familiarise before she has to meet them.
LanJan, you are correct. I have relied on blankets, but perhaps my unwashed underwear would be better. That's the best of smells as far as a dog is concerned.
Buddy raids Katy’s room if we’re not careful and has ruined several pairs of knickers! Katy says if it goes on she will have to go “commando”! !!
DeleteSorry Archerphile, never had oil heating so can’t offer advice apart from google it.
ReplyDeleteWell done Mrs P.
Re going in the car you can get a strap that can attach onto a collar and the other end in the seat belt. Stop her bouncing about. Actually I think it’s law now that dogs have to be restrained in cars.
Yes it is, but she is chewing through every restraint in a flash.
DeleteNot on to the collar PtobY, must be to a harness. Onto the collar and it might break their neck.The law is clear, must either be restrained in the car or in the boot with a grille.Catina chews through harnesses etc Mrs P says. I don't think they make one that isn't chewable.
ReplyDeleteYes it is the law that dogs have to be restrained in cars. Ours have a pouch each which protects your seats from mud etc and with a blanket in the bottom gives them a comfortable and secure bed . Gypsy loves hers but Buddy always gets out and sits on the seat between the pouches! Buddy was not too keen on the car to start with but has got used to it and especially likes going to puppy class on a Monday night on his own with Katy. Gypsy has always loved the car so must have been used to it with previous owner.
ReplyDeletePretty sure this one associates a car with capture.
DeleteYes she has chewed through the harness. But was given a ' semi Choke ' yesterday and that's better.
In the garden again today, hitched her and offered treat but she baulked and would not take treat, though happy to have one inside.
An old friend came to visit today and brought as a present what I think Ev has described, some kind of sling for the car.
Mrs P .....how about a cloth muzzle. That’ll stop her chewing.
ReplyDeleteMrs P.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds things are going well. It is not surprising she is chewing through harnesses etc, as it probably relates to trauma she has experienced and still relates to.
You seem to be a wonderful + caring owner for her. She will adapt with your loving TLC.
Wish you both good wishes.😍
I am feeling so excited tonight.
ReplyDeleteIF everything goes as planned, my first cataract op. will be in 3.5 week time. I can't wait!!
Things could still go wrong, but after a long wait it is just nice to have something in writing at last.
PS I have had to make many 'phone calls to hosp. chasing and sorting things out. Being a nuisance does work.
That's wonderful news Miriam.
DeleteWe will all be hoping for you that all goes well.
Yes. Nowadays you have to be proactive to get what you need.
Yes great news ,Miriam.
DeleteWell done for persevering.
Lovely sunny day, just seen my first butterfly, bright yellow brimstone, the daffodils are showing in the garden all very pretty.
ReplyDeleteJust bought some cucumelon seeds at the garden centre, let’s hope for a warm summer.
Same beautiful weather here - carrying on through to next weekend! Brimstones out & about here too, & the cranes keep coming!
DeleteMy garden is so colourful with crocuses of many colours, daffs + narcissi all in full flower. It is so early this year but the problem is lawns growing too quickly!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could send a 'photo of my window box as it is gorgeous, with very prolific winter pansies (in flower since Sept) and now has hyacinths in bloom, and hanging basket is the same. I feel quite proud
Once upon a time we could enjoy an early spring. Now it just confirms climate change. ☹️
ReplyDeleteIs today going to be the warmest February day since whenever?
ReplyDeleteI gardened this morning but sat outside this afternoon and was warm in shirt sleeves.
(Re reading that it sounds daft but you know what I mean- no jacket)
My daffodils are coming out too, but I wish they weren't yet. I supply the majority of the flowers, and catkins, for our local church Mothering Sunday posies, and at this rate they will be over by March 31st!
ReplyDeleteI judge daffodils for March 1st. St. Davids Day as I used to work in Wales. This year they are in flower, the first time ever and over a week early.
DeleteJanice, you might have roses by then! The weather is worrying though as global warming might mean an unbearably hot summer. Hope not!
Delete😮😮😮😮 I Hope not too Ev. Moderation in all things after all ⭐️
Delete🙂 and some scamps would have no hesitation in doing dastardly things with the prickly stems!
DeleteAt the entrance to our community centre on the bank, snowdrops daffodils and primroses, all in flower.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt about climate change in my mind.
No daffodils out here yet, one or two may be out in a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteJust cut the grass, took me over an hour and a half, didn't stop, so fitter than I thought. Moles have made a real mess, lots of runs that will need filling in, will have to try the marshmallow treatment.
Just hung out the first washing to dry in the garden this year, instead of using the tumble drier.
ReplyDeleteCouldn’t help noticing that I consciously used matching colour pegs on each item e.g. 2 pink pegs for a towel, 2 blue pegs for a t-shirt, and each one of a pair of socks had to have the same colour peg. Should I be worried about having OCD? 🤔
No, it's just a small, private source of amusement!
DeleteIf you have AP then at least two of us are in the club together 😂😂
DeleteWhat a gorgeous day it has been ⭐️
My problem is stopping myself counting the socks as I peg them out! Yes, dried one lot of washing outside today! For the second day in a row Gypsy made it down to the creek! She still wakes at 5 am sohope will move on one hour with the clocks at the end of the month!
DeleteArcherphile,why is today the FIRST day you have hung out washing?
DeleteWe haven't got a tumble drier so the washing always has to be hung outside.
I expect I am alone in this but I reckon it smells better from being in the fresh air.
No you haven't got OCD.
If you and Lady R have then I am a member of the Club too and as for Mr LJ.............
-and he thinks he is normal though he is not sure about me!
I continue to hang washing outside throughout winter. Fog, and of course very wet weather means it is out of the question, but like LJ, I believe washing on the line is always worthwhile even if it takes two days to dry.
DeleteEven if half dried and finished off inside, it smells better.
I had a "man who does gardening maintenance" cutting back my hedges this morning. A good job well done, but at 11.00am when he arrived this morning, it was still foggy. He is coming back soon to do the lawns, as far too long (about 6") for my mower to cope with. I don't mind paying for a good job, which I can now maintain. I got his name out of my local "village" handbook, a lovely chap who I will recommend. The important thing was that I felt comfortable - which as I live on my own, is very important to me.
ReplyDeletePS All the mess was cleared up + taken away.
DeleteIt’s really good to find someone like that Miriam, especially if you feel you can trust them to do a good job and be reliable.
DeleteI have a gardener too who comes along when required. He’s an ex-policeman and Pat the builder knows him well so no worries. The main jobs proving too much for me are clearing leaves over the autumn and pulling up the weeds. I don’t have grass as it was all put to pebbles over a membrane but the weeds do grow as soil from leaves etc forms over the membrane! There is no easy way! The mess is taken away here too which is a big bonus!
DeleteI have had a problem with cleaners as they do fade away after a few sessions. I’m thinking that if the dog minders bond well with the dogs I might ask them to have them for the day sometimes as they can be hard work especially Gypsy with all her problems. We need care in June when I go on my painting holiday in Italy and in August when we go on a 5night cruise. The minders, a mother and daughter, come recommended by Katy’s colleagues and they are coming over on Wednesday evening to meet us and of course the dogs! Anyway, if I have respite occasionally from dog care I can crack on with housework, go out for the day or have time for my painting which which has been sadly neglected in view of all the other daily tasks! I do need some time for me!!
ReplyDeleteGoodness Ev it sounds as if having dogs is worse than having small children. They at least grow up to be bigger children, teen-agers, (Yikes! That was hard work!) Then very acceptable adults. I'm sure you wouldn't change your four legged friends for all the tea etc...........but! 🤔
DeleteOn the other hand, dogs & cats can handle the basics ( eating, toileting, moving around independently) so much sooner than we do, taking over a year to manage some kind of wobbly walk, longer to connect food to mouth without making a spectacular mess, longer still to be safely left without nappies !
DeleteAdmittedly, we do eventually earn money & survive unassisted Cats & dogs will be dependent all their lives because we domesticated them - in that sense they are eternal children !
We've forced them into a longer but innatural life. However, when I'm enjoying the company of Percy & Katya, I find it hard to summon up much guilt about that...
Yes, BB, they do take a lot of time! Also of course they become part of the family. Their lives aren’t nearly as long as ours so for that period of their lives it is good for us to have someone to care for! My life has changed a lot since my husband died and I will always miss him but in a small way they help to fill the gap!
DeleteThen Ev, all is as it should be at this time. 🙂
DeleteOh dear LanJan, you make me feel very ashamed that today was the first time I’ve hung washing out this year.😔
ReplyDeleteI’ve not done so before because it’s either been raining on washday, or so cold and damp nothing would dry, Living in a small cramped cottage it’s really very difficult to find space indoors to dry a whole week’s wash! So I resort to the tumble drier which is a very efficient one and doesn’t use too much electricity. (I did lots of research before buying it). I, too, love the smell of washing off the line and am enjoying my garden-fresh, nicely ironed sheets tonight as I type! 😊
Archerphile, you're not alone I hung some washing outside for the first time this weekend too 🌞
DeleteI don't have a tumble dryer but have space to dry indoors. I can't be bothered to hang it out on cold short days when there's no chance of it drying completely
From October until March when daylight is short and the sun is low my washing line is in the shadow of the house next door and the garden very damp, so hanging washing out is a waste of time and energy. When we moved in there was a high-rise effort on a pulley which hoisted the washing-line up into the blue - fine for a full-time housewife, but after the third windy day when I came home from work and had to retrieve our smalls from several gardens down the road I gave up and resorted to the whirlyline.
DeleteOh Sarnia what an image 😂
DeletePlease Mrs, can I have my knickers back?
DeleteMany moons ago my neighbour (male) bobbed up from behind the hedge holding aloft a pair of my knickers saying “are these yours?” ,! It wouldn’t have been so bad but they weren’t my best pair!
DeleteHave any of you got one of those little circular plastic contraptions with lots of pegs hanging down .to hang on the line?
ReplyDeleteThey cost about £2.
We have only a short length of line so a couple of those are ideal for small items of clothing.
Shirts and tops are hung up on clothes hangers.
Talking about OCD ,when I had a long washing line I would always hang the same type of item together.
Did you know that a towel dries quicker if it is put lengthwise on the line?
Very useful info LJ 👏
DeleteYes I did.
DeleteThat's how I peg bathing towels.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with indoor drying is that the bathroom is the only suitable place.
ReplyDeleteOur kitchen has a very, very low ceiling (Mr A’s head actually brushes it, he is 6ft 3”) so I cannot have one of those old fashioned pull up type airers or string a line accross.
I do have a sort of A-frame contraption that goes over the bath and can take a few undies, or t shirts and also lies flat for drying jumpers. I can dry tights in the airing cupboard.
I wanted one of those indoor line thingys that you put at one end of the bath and pull out the lines to hooks at the far end. We tried to put one up but the weight of the first wash pulled the whole caboodle out of the wall and left big holes in the plaster! The walls, being very old, could not take the weight so we don’t have a bathroom cabinet on the wall either.
If desperate on rainy days I can drape things over radiators, but on the whole the tumble drier, once a week, is my best solution in bad weather.
At least you still have an airing cupboard AP, once Combi boiler fitted no longer an option unless used with the small electric heater which I don’t use. Like you line or drier or over bath / rad fitment. At least Monday’s not
ReplyDeletean all day standing at the sink washing and rinsing these days... how lucky we are to be able to truly appreciate washing machines 🤗
I've been hanging my washing outside since we got back from Singapore a couple of weeks ago. Most days it hasn't dried completely but still worth putting out.
ReplyDeleteLike other people on here I've been making the most of the lovely weather and getting a lot done in the garden. Today's a rest day to allow the aches and pains to settle!
Lovely morning here too .
ReplyDeleteDecided to do a spot of weeding.
Spent a happy hour and a bit doing that before tea break when I noticed that Mr LJ was looking at my cold frame which in the summer becomes the tomato planter.
He didn't like the look of it so we have been out in the car ,checking out the skips for suitable wood to make a new one.
We have got about four planks.
To say I am shattered is an understatement.
Mrs P, how did your walk on the common go ?
ReplyDeleteIt went very well indeed, and today I have walked her down to town and back. She was wonderful !
DeleteWe bought a collar and had her tag engraved.
However........
Something is now wrong. She wanted to stop several times on the way back today and then later whimpered when I took the lead off.
I had a meeting that I needed to attend ( I am the Chair) and had intended to take her with me, but she was very upset when I tried to get her out.
After several frantic phone calls a neighbour came to sit while I went to the meeting.
I think she may have sore feet. She will not let me look and went for me, but clearly did not want to, was just letting me know she was hurting, and needed to protect herself.
Clearly I have overdone it, and am very sorry.
She'll forgive you, MrsP! It sounds as though, on the whole, things are going pretty well.
DeleteArcherphile -apropos of your posts a few weeks ago re moving somewhere with better bus services etc......
ReplyDeleteToday you mentioned your low ceiling so when Mr A does bang his head you can perhaps say that when you move youwill have to find somewhere with taller rooms!
I have had a letter today from a friend who has just had her 80th birthday.
She tells me that she wants a new kitchen but because they may well downsize in time!!! she has decided that they will just get replacement cupboard doors as she knows that anyone who buys the house will want to have a complete overhaul of the house.
What a stunning day it was today - I cycled along the canals from Glasgow to Edinburgh & I have the suntan to prove it! My wee legs are aflame at the moment but am about to have another glass of co-codamol...🚴🚆💊
ReplyDeleteWow, Gary, am impressed! When I was about 10, my Glasgow aunties took myself and brother to Edinburgh and was proud to ascend the Scott monument. There were many steps! So in awe of you cycling from Glasgow to Edinburgh though and hope the wee legs feel OK tomorrow!
DeleteHa! Thanks Ev!
DeleteWas looking at the Scott Monument today and recalling the time I made it about a third of the way up, had a massive attack of vertigo & had to furiously stumble back down the teeny-tiny spiral one-way staircase in a blind panic, hissing at people to get out of my way! Not my proudest moment...
Well done Gary, getting a suntan in Scotland!
DeleteNow, now CC! We've had just the same weather as the rest of the UK....
DeleteI still have some snapdragons in bloom from last summer believe it or not - and about half of the spring bulbs in the garden have been and gone already. But am fully prepared for winter to roar back with a vengeance, as no doubt she will!