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longer off topic comments" - Episode 48 Life Outside Ambridge
longer off topic comments" - Episode 48 Life Outside Ambridge
Still no hummingbirds
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments' - Episode 8 Life Outside Ambridge Beach Chairs
PtbY - glad you are already feeling better!
ReplyDeleteOh dear Mr PtbY is not a modern man . You have spoilt him I'm afraid, a bit late to change him now. Keep that horn blowing for your cups of tea though !!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your dog, hope it recovers soon.
PtbY Best wishes on a full and rapid recovery!
ReplyDeletePtbY. I would make good use that horn before friend wants it back. It can’t be too difficult to grill a bit of bacon and stick it between two slices of 🍞 even for an unreconstructed man. Hoot the horn and get the whip cracking, you are in a position of power. Make the most of your little holiday. Hope the dog 🐕 is better.
ReplyDeleteGreat news PtbY! 🍾🥓
ReplyDeletePtby sending get well wishes to you and your 🐕
ReplyDeleteOh dear hard times for Mr ptby 🤣 is he cheerful in his trying mode? Mr R was our main “chef” for many years but when he became orthopedically challenged it curtailed him somewhat - so a role reversal 😱 we both love our food so I had to take the reins once again. Mr R is still with us 😂 so tell Mr ptby it is possible. (When Mr R was really poorly he had a school bell he could use if needs be but a horn sounds great - have fun)
Glad you are back home safely again. If you are close to a supermarket perhaps Mr PtbY could buy some ready meals, then all he would need to do is put them in the oven for half an hour or so.
ReplyDeletePtbY - has the Specialist said it's okay for you to get the horn so soon after an operation...?
ReplyDeleteOohhh GG 🤣 🤭 😂
DeleteThat’s a good one Gary, keep em coming!!😁
DeleteShocking!! as the French say 😅
DeleteRugby fans - My birthday this weekend and MrGG has just surprised me with 2 tickets (on the halfway line no less!!) for the PRO14 final on Sat between Glasgow Warriors & Leinster! I am as happy as a man could be...
ReplyDelete🏉 🏈🏉🏈🏉🏈 enjoy your treat (from Mr GG) GG and “Happy Birthday” too good of course 🎈🎂 🍷
DeleteHappy birthday Gary, it's my daughter's birthday this weekend as well. It's also another of my daughter's wedding on Sunday so we'll be up in Edinburgh for that. We've rented a house for the week so the family can have an all too rare get together. Daughter from Singapore has come over with her family with new baby daughter who we met for the first time last Saturday.
DeleteAre you actually home yet PtbY, or are you still on your mini break for another 24hours ?
ReplyDeleteIs it a bicycle horn, or something to do with hunting ?
Hunting Mr PtbY ?
And Happy Birthday Mr Gary Gilday.
Have a lovely day.
Joyeux anniversaire GG ! 🍾🍾🏈🏉
DeleteNot at home yet. Going tomoz. Just about to have drain taken out.
ReplyDeleteIt’s an old horn like you would have got on a car.
Theres no way he wont hear that !
DeleteBest wishes
PtbY.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that all went well and you are already feeling the benefit. As much as I love tomatoes, I hate tomato soup but it is smooth, which is what you needed.
You will have to write down step-by-step instructions for Mr. PtbY, as to how to make a bacon sarnie.
🥓🍔 (nearest I could find for a sarnie)!
DeleteGG Happy Birthday for whenever. It sounds that you will be very spoilt. 🎉🎁🏈🍾🥃🍷🎂
ReplyDeleteThanks for the birthday wishes! And Cheshire Cheese, enjoy that amazing sounding weekend - what a treat of a few days for you & your family!
ReplyDeleteCheshire Cheese.
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvellous family event for you, when many special memories will be made
Enjoy every minute, as this sort of family get-togethers, need to be enjoyed in every way.
Thank you to all of you on here for your kind wishes. I’ve had loads of texts from people and it has made me realise just how many nice friends I have and that I am very grateful for.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Gary for the weekend. I know you’ll have a wonderful time.....hope you’ll be able to remember it!!!! 🍷🥃🍹🍰🎉
Happy birthday Gary..... and who will you be taking with you ?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your celebrations CC
I had planned to go and buy plants for the garden tomorrow. This will now not happen, as after trying to work in the garden today, it is so dry. The lawns are looking parched and the flower beds are starting to resemble concrete. It is lovely + sunny here, but there is, and has been, a cool westerly wind, for many days, so I always need a cardi. or an extra lightwieght layer.
ReplyDeleteAre any of the many gardeners here, having the same problems?
PS I have a water meter, and there is a problem with my usage + billing. A mistake has been made, so I am waiting for the corrected bill + the new monthly payments, to appear.
DeleteI daren't use water for watering the garden, until I know the true situation as to cost.
It's the same over here in east Cheshire Miriam. As we're away next week I 've had to do my planting out and water. I'm hoping for some rain while we're away but do have a kind neighbour who will do it if necessary.
DeleteHow about this for a bit of luck?
ReplyDeleteWhen we got our water bill last October it said that we only had to pay the standing charge .
Apparently our meter had broken .
It had broken during the previous 6months so that bill was less as well.
I assumed that they would take an average reading but they said that they wouldn’t and that we would have the following fortnight on the house because it wouldn’t be repaired until then.
That really is lucky, Lanjan! Water is expensive on the island. Currently paying £60 a month and we are only two! I have a new washing machine which weighs the load and uses water and electricity as sparingly as possible so hope that will make a difference. I recall when I was young water costs were very low but of course nothing was spent on the infrastructure and the population was much lower. I think we are paying for years of neglect now!
ReplyDeleteI think you are right Ev !
ReplyDeleteI guess it's home again today, PtbY ? I'm sure Mr PtbY will turn up trumps ( or horns) !
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you aren't feeling sore whilst healing, & somewhat fragile, alongside being greatly relieved that at last the thyroid is OUT.
Actually still in hospital and will be in till tomoz. Had a problem with calcium levels today and have end up on a drip. My hands all curled in on themselves .....I’ve called it “old crone hands syndrome”! Tingly fingers and lips. Felt like I’d been to dentist and injection was wearing off.
DeleteWhereas not a prob with thyroid bit.
Mr PtbY watching a lot of telly by the sounds and not a lot of work.
Glad you had a lovely trip Carolyn, sounds wonderful.
What an interesting trip to Lubeck. A place of distinctive character from it's mercantile past, yet where the old town blends seamlessly with all the aspects of modern life.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Gothic churches, lovely architecture, curious alleys & byways. It's encircled by the Trave river, many tributaries. I saw it as the Venice of its time in Northern Europe, leading trade, wagons, shipping to & from many parts of the world. On the Holstentor, there is an inscription : 'Concordia domi foris pax' which I guess translates as 'Harmony at home, peace abroad' - mmn...not always achieved, but they had a good shot !
I always hope to find a 'new' author & artist when abroad, & was lucky in both regards this week. Talking of art, this is for you, Gary; as you googled the place, you probably know that Warhol did a painting of Holstentor ? Well, I was in the museum where it's supposed to be, mainly a place of breathtaking altar art, in relief & very realistic detail, but a blank wall where the painting should have been, I felt cheated ! Reckon it was on loan to NY, just for your recent visit...anyway, got the postcard which I will hand over to you in Sept.
So much I could enthuse about but am recovering from the adventure ( very little sleep the 1st 2 nights), & don't want try your tolerance.
Welcome back. Glad you found Lubeck as wonderful as I did last year.
DeleteSorry about your calcium prob., PtbY, but your description '0ld crone's...' was vividly grim ! Hope it stabilizes by tomorrow, then you can get back to instructing Mr. PtbY..
DeleteThanks re trip, & Stasia, who I imagine covered more ground in a week than I did in 3 days. Still, it was exciting, a friendly relaxed atmosphere, great marzipan &, oh, it's so mean to say this, but blissful to go to empty galleries & have the works all to oneself, unlike London. I suppose the locals have all been & they're not into the major tourist season. It was the same in Budapest & Prague, but never in London, Paris or Florence. Yet the Germans are so gifted in all the arts.
I wore my new glasses for the first time today. I do not need vision correction for daily activities, just for driving + shopping. This is due mainly to correct the astgmatism on that eye so that the reading of signs is clearer.
ReplyDeleteI could see the difference (pardon the pun) and they seem to be doing the intended job. The left lens in these glasses, is a clear lens, as I am still wearing my contact in that eye.
Gary. Happy 😃 birthday. Enjoy the rugby 🏉 and celebrate 🎉 🍸🍾.
ReplyDeleteCheshire Cheese. Have great 👍 time with your family.🤼♀️🎊👨👩👦👦👨👩👧👦
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Gary and enjoy the family weekend, Cheshire Cheese.
DeleteP tbY ,enjoy your rest .
Let Mr PtbY know that you have been told to take things very easily.
I am a bit down after a phone call from Big Sis. Her hubbie (No 2, married in 2014), is in hosp. I am not sure exactly what is going on! She had to drive him to the nearest A+E last night. It is not a heart attack nor stroke, but there is an abnormal heart beat/murmer and is not known exactly what is going on. As it's a BH weekend, his consultant is now not available again until Tuesday. Only then will more tests etc. be done and decisions made. I find this difficult to understand.
ReplyDeleteBig Sis is refusing any company + help, but I will turn up without her knowing to just support her.
How very worrying for your sister and you.
DeleteI hope you will be of some comfort and that things pick up soon
Thinking of you and your family.
DeleteSorry to hear that PtbY, just as well they found out before you went home.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you will have to crack your whip when you get home, from the sofa of course.
Hope all goes well and you are home tomorrow.
Has your dog recovered ?
Thanks cowgirl. He’s not right yet, a bit brighter mr PtbY says. Told him not to forget it’s bank holiday and to get him back to vets if needed. God I hate not being in control.
DeleteMr knows if he doesn’t look after “my boy” and something happens to him I’d kill him!!!!
PtbY. Poor you, this must be so frustrating but it will be sorted.
ReplyDeleteThonking of you - Miriam.
Miriam, best wishes to your sister, her husband and to you. These things always occur at weekends but I’m sure he will be well cared for despite the absence of the consultant. You just wonder at no cover at this level as we do not choose when to be ill.
ReplyDeletePTby hoping they sort out the latest problems soon and that your dog will continue to improve. Thinking of you xxx
Enjoy the match and your Birthday GG. Hope it doesn't pass in oblivion though.
ReplyDeleteCowGirl, no drinking for me today. Even though it's Scottish Cup final day ('mon the Hoops!) and I'm going to the rugby later (C'mon the Warriors!), I need to be oh-so-fresh for going to the Ideal Homes Exhibition at the SECC first thing tomorrow morning.
ReplyDeleteI am the very definition of modern metrosexual man apparently...⚽🏈🎨🎂💪🐱🌼
Happy Birthday, Gary !
DeletePlease cast your eye back to.my post, May4th, yesterday, 3.07pm, something of mild interest to you, though nothing to do with sport....
I'm glad I wasn't asked about them on "Mastermind" carolyn! Never seen them before - I like! And what an incredible looking building. Glad you had a great time on your jaunt - where next?
DeleteWhatever that means GG
DeletePaintings by Andy Warhol of a building called Holstentor in the city of Lubeck that carolyn visited the other day CowGirl. (I was on " Mastermind" & my specialist subject was the life and works of Warhol...)
DeleteI'm a ignorant I'm afraid , prefer paintings that are more traditional. My ex neighbour was a sculptor, he tried to explain about lines and things, just didn't get it myself , but thanks for the info GG
DeleteGG. Wasn't it Andy Warhol who said "Art is whatever you can get away with!"?.....Or was that apocryphal? Anyway whoever said it, I still think it's brilliant! 😎
DeleteAbsolutely BB!
DeleteAnd I believe Warhol stole that quote from Marshall McLuhan - which makes it even better in my eyes...😊
Absolument! One should only plagiarize from the best! 😊
DeleteI doubt if you will have any time for gardening today or tomorrow Gary .
ReplyDeleteWhat you will be doing will be much more exciting.
I don’t know if any of your poppies are going to flower.
The poppies growing from the seeds I scattered where I wanted them to flower are very small.
However some the ones that are in places they shouldn't be are over a metre tall.
One has over 20 buds on it and several others have established themselves in a bed of shingle ( apparently we live where there was a former river so there is a lot of shingle in the soil which I dig out and have it as a feature next to the house)
Lanjan, they're growing - that's as much as I can tell you at the moment! Spent ALL week in the garden planting out around 250 plants that we raised from seedlings in the greenhouse. If they don't all grow into the finest specimens the globe has ever seen you will hear my howls of rage all the way to Marble Arch...
Delete🌱🌸💮🌺🌻🌼🌹🌷💐
Lanjan, your wayward poppies are behaving like my foxgloves, evening primroses and verbascum (the last is native Aaron's Rod ). I haven't noticed poppies; perhaps they are hidden. Masses of columbines.
DeleteI've been saving water during the day, as I did last year, for watering pots. Rainy now and will be all week.
I was conned by Gypsy tonight! She was wandering around looking for food so I fed her only to find out she had already had her tea earlier as Katy had fed her! Her appetite is insatiable whilst Buddy doesn’t care whether he eats or not! I wonder whether she has this gene that means she never feels full!
ReplyDeleteIs Buddy eating her food - or do you feed them separatly? 🐶
DeleteWe usually feed them together and keep a close watch as Gypsy will polish off anything he leaves if given the chance. He has always been a poor eater and the foster lady who had him before us was desperately feeding him boiled ham. He can be enthusiastic about a food for a day or two then go off it. Currently the fad is chicken but we try to add biscuits to it. We have to keep his weight up whilst keeping Gypsy’s down!
DeleteOur Poppy certainly has that gene.
ReplyDeleteI was once told that cats only ate what they needed.
Not Poppy
Luckily my Pusscat, only eats what she needs. She has had, tonight, her once weekly meat treat, but it is still not fully eaten.
DeleteWhen I collected my cat Puss from the foster, I was told he was a grazer, and he is. He has two types of kibble in a dish with two compartments then he has a tiny amount of meat/fish in soufflé form.
DeleteI often wake in the night to the gentle sound of him picking up the big kibble.
Lady is eating well and never asking for more. But I started giving her a biscuit on returning from a walk and now she makes a big fuss if she doesn't get it quickly enough.
We walked a couple of miles today in woods, some of it part of the Cotswolds Way. She was like a wild thing. I walked two miles. I estimate she ran five.
She is exhausted, but it was lovely to see her being so free.
And she comes back, however far in front she goes.
I always give my dogs something at lunch time too, just a biscuit or two or a piece of meat. When I had my last dog, he had previously bitten someone, not his fault I might add, but I needed to be careful, I read many books before he came to me and one suggested dogs could be aggressive if hungry, hence the lunch time treat.
DeleteMisty also has a raw carrot sometime during the day which she absolutely loves, helps with tarter control too.
Gypsy loves raw carrot and on talking to another dog owner whose dog also had skin problems we give her dried sprats as treats. Buddy loved these at first but can now turn his nose up! He won’t eat breakfast so often his first meal is late morning after his walk. We then feed them late afternoon. He usually leaves some although small portions. She has bedtime biscuits and he sometimes refuses them. He is small and we gather should have about 400 calories a day but it is an effort to get sufficient into him to maintain weight. However he is lively enough and doesn’t look excessively thin!
DeleteEv I shouldn't worry, he wont starve himself, as you say he is healthy enough. You said earlier, you thought it was attention seeking, it certainly feels that way from where I sit.
DeleteJust be relaxed about it. My problem is the other way round, having only 3 legs I must make sure Misty doesn't gain weight, I carefully weigh her meals.
I might add that Buddy hangs around when we’re eating and once stole the topping from a pizza which Katy had briefly left within his reach! He will scavenge around the kitchen looking for crumbs and generally wants what we have but we don’t feed him from the table. I wonder whether this was the practice in his first home. I just get the impression he refuses his food hoping for something better.
DeleteI am a massive "Corrie" fan.
ReplyDeleteThere has been very many comments about the TA script writers + S/Ls which do seem quite feasible, compared to the current Corrie ones.
I will never switch off TA, but I am about to do so with Corrie - such silly, stupid, unbelievable and implausable "stories".
TA is so much better and do make sense...
I stopped watching Corrie some time ago when a character, Katy killed h er own father! There have been more murders in that street than is believable! It has become darker than EastEnders! Both very depressing!
DeleteI’m home. Will miss breakfast in bed tomorrow morning.
ReplyDeleteAll in all I enjoyed my hospital stay. Everyone was lovely, facilities were good and I was very well looked after.
Pleased to hear it.
DeletePositive feedback for the NHS.
Ptby 🤗 lovely news- let recovery begin in earnest! 💐 (Come blow your horn 😂)
DeleteGood luck Mr Ptby 😲
✔️👍🏼✔️👍🏼
DeleteGlad you are home PtbY
ReplyDeleteTake things easy, let Mr PtbY do things you are still recovering.
I hope your Boy is happy to have you home.
How was the rugby GG ?
Mrs P.......I went private.
ReplyDeleteThe NHS weren’t interested in doing anything for me for at least 18 months. So NO positive feedback for them from me.
Sort of remember you writing that. 18 months longer of considerable discomfort - bet you're glad you went down the private route, PtbY !
DeleteGood to be home, nevertheless, I imagine, but perhaps not quite able to handle a bacon sarnie yet ?
Sorry... I forgot !
DeleteBut pleased for you that it was a positive experience nevertheless.
That’s where” Benenden “ Ins comes in back in 2013 just before I lost my mum I needed to have cataracts removed and as I wanted to be 100per cent to visit and take her out most days it was important to get them removed ASAP because of the NHS wait time I was taken on board for this by them straight away.
DeleteEven now it is only £20.50 a month for the two of us. Both sisters and husbands also have this and have had occasions to use and be very grateful for. It is rather like J. Lewis & Partners all members put monies in the pot and as when / if necessary you apply for assistance with your condition. Maybe (for some) worth a look at their website re info in more detail.
Good news PtbY - there's no place like home 🙂 keep dreaming of that bacon sarnie!
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked I had private medical insurance, at low cost, in my remunaration package. I lost this when I gave up work and didn't look into an alternative. I wish I had, but perhaps will look into it now.
ReplyDeleteI did consider going down the private route for my 1st cataract op. but at £3500, decided to wait, which was nearly 6 months on waiting list, and 9 months since initial referral.
PtbY I bet you will get breakfast in bed tomorrow!
What is Mr PtbY cooking for you for your evening meal?
Had a bacon sarni this morning. Lovely. Could taste it perfectly.
DeleteTea.....pizza.
It is interesting reading about pets eating. My pusscat can be all over me when I wake up, patting my face, literally sitting on me, as she wants feeding. She only has a dried biscuit diet (with an occaisional meat treat). When I go to feed her, there are always some biscuits left in her bowl, which I think she leaves - just "in case".
ReplyDeleteThere have been no mice so far this year, but as I have said my old + delapitated shed, has been removed. I don't think that this is a coincidence.
My grandparents had 2 chihuahuas (his and hers) who sat on their laps at mealtimes and then put onto the table, to eat what was left and literally, lick the plates clean.
DeleteHow is your brother in law Miriam ?
DeleteThanks for asking CG.
DeleteI don't know. I have decided to leave it to Big Sis to contact me. She knows that I ready and willing to help her, but I don't want to presume too much.
Also Br-in-Law has a daughter + 2 sons, plus other family members, (all not too far away) who will be around.
My favourite niece (the eldest daughter) and I have decided to keep a low profile, for the time being. This sounds harsh but it is probably best at the moment. Both of us are only a 30min drive away.
I am off to my nieces, hopefully, in the morning, so will have a chat then.
My niece, partner + kids came to me - as they were picking up a briilant BBQ + "fire pit" (bought on-line), just a few miles away. We had a lovely catch-up.
ReplyDeleteNews on Br-in-Law.
He went into hosp. Thurs night/Fri morn. All has been well until last night, when he had another "episode" but minor (but 1st since admission and aldo when at rest).He is wired up onto the central monitering system, so 2 nurses rushed to sort him out.
Both Sis + Hubbie, are strangely, actually pleased it happened - as there is now a lot of medical info. available for his consultant. It is hopeful that the problem can become known and easily.sorted. 🤞🤞
What a relief for your family.
DeleteHummingbird finally!!!!
ReplyDelete👏😊
DeleteThat is wonderful. You must be delighted and relieved with the reappearance. It has been a long time coming.
DeleteHurrah!
DeleteThank you. Very relieved they have safely migrated back!
DeleteRuthy, where do they migrate from, and any ideas as to why they are so much later, than expected?
DeleteI am so genuinly interested.
How exciting!
DeletePtbY
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing??
I saw a very interesting item on BBC1 recently, and I thought of Kate.
ReplyDeleteThis was yoga with cats!
Maybe next time we go to yoga we’ll take the dogs! Have seen goat yoga on TV! Our yoga is once a month and is the relaxing one! You take up each pose for about 5 minutes and the session starts and ends with constructive rest where if not careful you can fall asleep! That would be OK apart from the snoring!! We now have a long recess until October. More of a summer break than the MP’s!
DeleteMiriam, I’m doing fine thanks.
ReplyDeleteHad a trip out and a wander round the shops for an hour or so this morning.
A rest this aft and a trip to the pub at tea time. Amazingly my sense of taste is just about back to normal.
Tea tonight was fish and peas from the chip shop eaten in the car in the pouring rain!
Glad your B in L is getting good attention.
Excellent to hear your taste has returned so quickly PtbY and your recovery on its way.
ReplyDeleteDon't be too hard on yourself if your energy levels don't kick in so quickly, but I hope it won't be too long.
And so pleased you've had a first proper day.
I knew it would rain.
ReplyDeleteI put out a second line of washing.
The first lot is now in the airing cupboard.
I have just taxed my car on line utilising DD. The first time.
And I'm still thinking about that other house.
No, not the one I'm not meant to have, but the one that is available with the tiny courtyard garden ( it's not a proper courtyard though)
They have moved it to another agent and reduced the price again.
I don't like being indecisive.
You used to be indecisive but now you are not so sure;Mrs P.
DeleteLucky you.
Rain and an airing cupboard -we have neither.
Does the cottage with the courtyard have an airing cupboard?
That is the question.
For all those are asked and may be interested. Found this excellent website on hummingbird migration (below). The male that I saw this morning, probably is with a mating female and is nesting. Usually will not see the female until later in the season. By looking at the map, it does appear my pair is late this year. They can migrate to southern US and into Mexico. Birds, to me, are the most amazing creatures in the world.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration.htm
PtbY - So glad you are recovering from surgery!
ReplyDeleteI too love birds Ruthy, at this time of year I don't feed them till the afternoon, to ensure the young learn to seek food, but they don't go hungry. I have been watching a family of Starlings, the parents are a bit fed up with having ever open beaks, they do look larger than their parents, but that is because their feathers are puffed out.They seem to make no effort to pick up what is on the floor till parents have had enough and leave them.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear your recovery is progressing well PtbY, I hope you are getting plenty of cups of tea!!
Miriam glad to hear news of BinL I am sure having an "episode" in hospital will help the diagnosis.
Mrs P why are you being indecisive ? is it not quite right or is it that you really only wanted the other, just helps some time to look at the pros and cons.
No it's not quite right, but what, ever, is ?
DeleteThe cottage I have, I do not love. It's OK, and others describe it as a 'cracking little cottage '. But the hills, the hills ! Even to get to my garden, the path is a narrow steep hill. And the house is not finished and I have spent all my money on it. Nothing in hand.
The house in town, available ! Is on the flat, very nicely completed, ( not sure about an airing cupboard LJ ) and I like it and could move in without needing to do anything. I could walk into town and on to the canal and river in two minutes. So I would not need to drive everywhere. But it has a minute triangle of outside space, and my collection of pots alone would fill that space. Although I am sure my imagination could improve upon it, and at least I would have instant access to outside instead of an uphill stretch.
And even after costs of moving I would have something in the bank.
But...... I do hope to eventually move closer to daughter who has this weekend completed on a property in Cornwall. That won't be for another two or three years yet and in the meantime I am becoming older and less able.
Of course I do understand that all of life is compromise, but .........
I am unsettled.
And perhaps always will be.
Sorry to be filling up space here with my concerns.
But thank you nevertheless.
Mrs P
DeleteJust thinking aloud on your problems. You say you are planning to move in 2/3 years, You are becoming older and less able, are you able to move sooner ?
Buying and selling is an extremely stressful time as no doubt you are aware, it is also not without costs and the older we become the more difficult, particularly in view of your earlier comments of not having fully unpacked yet.
I believe from what you say you are quite gregarious and like to be involved in the community, the older we get the more difficult I believe it is to integrate.
I can see all the benefits of you moving to this other house, but would you be happy with just a courtyard, Puss and Lady would I am sure prefer a small garden.
Just some thoughts for you to ponder, not in any way meant to be dictatorial.
Mrs P. why don't you make a move to Cornwall near your daughter's new home now rather than moving twice, as moving is such an upheaval?
DeleteAgree with Janice and maybe if you have to wait another 2 or 3 years it would be better to stay where you are in the meantime or unless there is a good reason for delay you could think about Cornwall now.
DeleteThank you CG, Ev and Janice for indulging me my spoken thoughts.
DeleteYes all suggestions already thought through, apart from Cornwall now.
Best option is to stay put until I have researched Cornwall, which I have never been to.
Janice may be able to give me some guidance.
Daughter has bought in St Keverne J.
Cornwall sounds great but do make sure Mrs P( as I am sure you will )that wherever you choose is near to public transport,shops and hospitals.
DeleteBeautiful scenery is great in the summer but not if you are going to be snowed in.
A friend moved down to the West Country to be near to her family but buses are every hour if that and go round the houses.
There is no nearby train station.there is only one supermarket within a few miles.
The nearest hospital is many miles away and the roads are narrow Country Lanes.
If you do decide to move there please spend a bit of time in the area first at different times of year to see if you can cope with everything.
Another thought Mrs P, you don't want to buy a house that you might have difficulty selling in 2/3 years time
DeleteLove our various bird families we share our space with - young swallows doing excitable circuits & bumps round the yard at the mo!
ReplyDeleteThe downside, I have to keep cleaning my car !!!
DeleteHa !! they're so enthusiastic!!
DeleteEvery year some swallows nest in our garage, and I am daft enough to leave one of the doors open so they can get in.
DeleteDitto Janice, not daft just helping nature alon.
DeleteHow are you progressing ?
Making steady progress thanks Cowgirl. I had an ecg last week at our local surgery and have another tomorrow. The heart failure triggered atrial fibrillation but the cardiologist thinks this may settle down again as the heart strengthens, and if it does then I will be able to stop the blood thinners. So fingers crossed. They have already let me stop the bisoprolol which deliberately lowers the heart beat rate to rest it, but I may have to stay on something called ramipril, an ACE inhibitor. I could hardly put one foot in front the other to begin with but joy of joys I can now do a bit in the garden but am being sensible and resting inbetween doing things. It could have been much worse! and I have read a lot of nice books, and basically have had the time to stop and review my life and am jettisoning the things that cause stress, and going to focus on the things that I enjoy doing.
DeleteSo pleased for you PtbY 👍
ReplyDeleteHey, PtbY, 😊, if you can go to the pub, down fish & peas, you're doing pretty well ! Glad to hear this.
ReplyDeleteSounds great ptby - glad you are able to enjoy your food again so soon after your op 🍴 🤗 👏🏻
ReplyDeleteMrs P , might I add in my pennyworth ?
ReplyDeleteMoving twice in 2/3 years sounds grim at any age over 30, so with others in thinking one move to Cornwall when the time is right, not necessarily waiting till your daughter is actually there. Seems to me you've 'done' Gloucestershire, so nothing to hold you back except very careful research about everything that others mention & you've thought about.
How near to your daughter's place is near enough?
I think you like your independence, too, so it might be fun, after said due diligence, to move to the chosen area, experience it by yourself, with Lady's help, of course, own it, as it were. I hope that makes some kind of sense.
Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be in a dilemma, about moving. I agree with others, in that a short-term move, might not be the best option at this time. To resell in 2/3 years could be at a loss, but who knows?
Do what I always do, when I am thinking about doing something. I write two lists, one is Pros + the other is Cons.
It is amazing what thoughts + ideas suddenly materialise, some which I would not would have even crossed my mind.
It is often balancing your head with your heart, and how you see your future life.
My head has just ruled my heart. I have ordered a new front door, which is far more expensive than planned. This means that there will be no holiday, for a while yet.
DeleteAt least (hopefully) I will be warm this winter, without an icy blast of cold air blowing in. This was not always, but when it happened, it was so cold, my lounge was only 14C. in the morning.
Miriam, my room is only that now ! I am too mean to light a fire another cardigan and I will be fine.
DeleteThanks to all for advice.
DeleteAdvice that matches my own thoughts.
I think I am just disrupted.
It is just coming up to five years since I sold in London, though didn't actually come to Glos. till the December.
I am not settled, and wonder if I ever will be.
I want to live in a small town with what I need on hand. And in town, not on the edge.
I love a warm cuddly cardi - of which I have many - along with some chunky "home-knit" jumpers which I have made, over the last 2 years.
DeleteI think that Mrs P. should be nominated to go on Escape to the Country, looking in Cornwall, near to where her daughter will move to.
ReplyDeleteMrs P everyone is different but we lived in Cornwall for 12 years when my husband worked at HMS Raleigh just across the Tamar from Plymouth. It is a very beautiful county but you have to realise it is remote from the rest of the country by its very geography. The lizard peninsula where St Kenerth is situated is down the far end. It might be good for you to go down and stay for a few days on several occasions as has been suggested. I think you will find no big supermarkets within easy reach and transport would not be easy. It is a damp drizzly part of the world at times but if you like walking you can’t beat the scenery and the coastal path is magnificent. I have pictures of Kingsand and Cawsand over my fireplace where we spent many happy times walking our border collie. Whatever happens you must visit Cornwall and have lots of cream teas! In our local co-op in Torpoint you could buy clotted cream from a big container which was put into a tub and weighed. Have never seen this anywhere else although now you can get clotted cream Pre packed. There’s nothing as good with your jam and scone! Many years ago when I was in the WRNS stationed at Culdrose near Helton I ussed to go into Falmouth by bus and went into a cafe as,I got for a pasty and chips. They said I wouldn’t end chips and when it came the pasty was the size of a dinner plate! It is very different down there and hope you get to experience it!
ReplyDeleteThat’s Helston near Culdrose!
DeleteRewriting last sentence! I went into a cafe and asked for a pasty and chips. They said I wouldn’t need chips and when it came......
DeleteDon’t know how it got so mangled!
Your mention of Helston brought back a memory that made me chuckle. A few years back I was going through Helstone in North Cornwall when a very puzzled coach driver with a bus filled with happy holidaymakers stopped me to ask where the Flora /Furry dance was as he couldn't find it. He was shocked when he realised he had come to the wrong Helston and still had a long way to go. He won't have made it in time for the midday dance which is the prettiest as the women wear beautiful dresses and the men top hats and tails for that dance. The town is nicely decorated and the festival well worth going to if in the area in May.
DeleteMrs P I agree with those who have said visit the area before moving there. The Lizard is a lovely area for walking and scenery, and south Cornwall has some beautiful gardens, and the Helford river area is lovely for pottering around in boats. I live in the north and don't know St. Keverne, but it is a village rather than a town. Falmouth is not too far away and is a nice town with a Tudor castle and beaches, one of which, Swanpool, is just on the outskirts and there are swans that swim in the sea as well as in the pool. I think you would like St. Ives, although that is over at the beginning of the Land's End peninsula. It has a thriving arts scene, and an arts and music festival that lasts a fortnight, as well as beaches and quaint streets. Cornwall can be isolated and the buses are dire so you do need to pick your area carefully and "try before you buy".
DeleteP.s. the main hospital in Cornwall is in Truro. If you did come to Cornwall then Marazion and St. Michael's Mount are nice places to visit, and over on the Land's End peninsula at Porthcurno is the Minack, a wonderful open air theatre built of stone ( advisable to bring a cushion!) like an amphitheatre set in the cliff top with the sea and sky acting as a backdrop to the actors. It is a long way for us to go so have only seen a performance there twice but well worth it. Let me know if you do come down to live and we could maybe have a mini Archers meet up!
DeleteMrs P the dogs went to the groomers in Ryde today and before we picked them up we went to the Chocolate Apothecary. I had hot chocolate with mint topped with cream. It was delicious and well worth the calories! Hope to meet you or other bloggers in there one day!
ReplyDeleteI got the name of St Keverne wrong, sorry but I did look up where it is on the Lizard peninsula! The next peninsular along is the Roseland which is also lovely. Many plants grow on both which are unusual as it wasn’t ploughed.
DeleteThank you each and all for your respective replies.
DeleteI re homed my mother's dog to the Cinnamon Trust, and we spent one night opposite St Michaels Mount and a brief visit to St Ives, long enough to know I would not want to live there, so have an idea, but not much more.
Have been looking on line at both Truro and Falmouth.
Ev, I have been thinking about various things you have mentioned over time, and I think it's possible you may know my friend Pat.
Charity Shop, WI, Samba Band, lots of needlecraft and DIY.
When I come over next time, Apothecary Meet Up !
I don’t think I know Pat but sounds as if I would like her! I joined the Townswomen’s Guild as they meet during the day which I prefer. Yesterday some of us went to Carisbroke Priory which is near the castle. It is now in the hands of a trust as the nuns left in 1989. The building is lovely built in the 1800’s on the site of a very historic priory. We had tea, cakes and then looked around the extensive gardens, the little chapel and ante room which used to be the chapter house. There are so many places of interest on the island. Mrs P is there a possibility of your family moving back here? You would enjoy living here. I do!
DeleteEv, when I moved from London, the island was my destination, but my daughter, yet again, put me off, saying they would not be there forever ( though when leaving last year, she was very sad and said she thought they might be back one day ) and that she didn't think old people were well looked after there.
DeleteI have been visiting since early childhood, married into an island family, and my daughter had a home there for a decade.
I wish I had bought there now, though I suppose it's not too late, even now.
I do regularly look at Rightmove/ Ventnor.
The Island family hail from Carisbrook, but I did not know of the Priory there.
Do you know about the convent tucked away up a lane in Ryde ? Daughter discovered it and took me to see the outside. Very hidden away. Very romantic.
I will check the Road and mention it.
My br-i-law, had a massive "do" this morning, when luckily, the consultant cardiologist was on the ward. A long story, cut short, it seems he has a faulty valve in is heart, causing major heart-beat faults. It was eventually controlled by drugs, but it is not known if these are the solution, or if he will need another procedure.
ReplyDeleteSis is "shell shocked" and is still refusing company + help. I can easily go to vacuum, do the ironing, clean bathroom, kitchen or any thing else. I just need to be patient and wait for her to contact me.
The one thing I can't do, is drive the ride on lawnmower, which is necessary for the 1/2 acre garden.
You and your family have my sympathy Miriam. The heart is such a major organ it is frightening when something goes wrong with it. They can do wonderful things now though, and I think that if necessary they can replace heart valves.
DeleteI also sympathise with you about the ride on mower. I splashed out on one a couple of years ago thinking that having been used to tractors when younger I would find it easy to use, but it wobbled about so much , admittedly on sloping ground in a field, that I became scared to use it . My son when home enjoys using it though, and I may try it again on flat ground.
Miriam don’t be upset, if you are, about your sister not wanting help. When my husband was so ill I just wanted to be alone with my daughter to process it. Also it was easier not to worry about anybody else being around. You would think at such times you would need support but I felt I could hold it together better without having sympathetic ears around. Maybe illogical but it was the way I felt. It is a shock when something goes wrong like this all of a sudden but yes they can do marvellous things! My best wishes to you all!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your comments Ev (although I guess it is hard for the bystanders usually family who feel very much that they want/need to be of help)
Delete🌹Miriam sending thoughts to you - big sis & family and of course b-i-l so glad that his attack took place in the hospital and (thankfully) while the consultant was on the ward!
Now treatment can commence....
Lady R yes it is hard on others who want to help but you don’t know how you will feel until into a situation like this. In our case family was far away but I know they would have dropped everything to come down if asked but inexplicably I didn’t want that. I can’t really understand it myself!
DeleteMiriam, try not to be too hurt by your sister not appearing to need you.
ReplyDeleteYou would be able to do those tasks for her, but right now she may feel that those tasks can be left to sort themselves out.
As you say, she is in shock and trying to process what may seem to her to be the end of her world and she needs to work through those feelings in her own way.
It is her journey.
When really huge events hit us the small insignificant but necessary tasks become unimportant. When life becomes a little less magnified for her and she realises how much needs to be done because it's been ' forgotten ' while she dealt with the big stuff, then you can be there for her and help with sorting it out.
In the meantime, just be there for when she needs to talk, if she does.
Miriam ,there have been some very wise words posted by bloggers who all feel for you and your sister at this time.
ReplyDeleteMay I add something?
Please don’t ‘phone your sister as if she hears the ‘phone she may fear the worst.
You have made your very kind offer and if I were you I would leave it at that.
To be blunt ,the last thing on your sister’s mind is whether the sitting room needs dusting or hoovering .
I hate it when people offer to do the washing up or similar and won’t take “no thank you “ for an answer but then ask me where they should put X or where they can find Y .
If I were you I would do nothing at all unless you just email or text a message just saying “I am thinking of you.”
She knows you are there for her.
Do hope that your B i L can be stabilized & treated appropriately soon, Miriam. Am writing now because what you describe sounds strikingly similar to what my DiL's father went through last Autumn.He was in hospital for a week, maybe 2, following an 'episode' as well, about 2 more whilst there, a procedure, a stent was considered but I don't think that went ahead. Yes, they were small heart attacks, & he left with various medications rattling around in his pocket. One was warfarin, I recall. Anyway, not great with one of the meds for a while, but that changed & he's been doing pretty well since. Gets tired more often than before but otherwise stable. Maybe that gives a little reassurance.
ReplyDeleteA PS to this : whilst son & Di L were visiting in hospital. They phoned me & passed it to me for a chat. He sounded quite chirpy, & after telling me more detail we talked about TA - he's an avid listener ! So, a welcome distraction, & he knows about the London meeting too, which happened later in the year.
'passed the phone to HIM', of course !
DeleteThank You All for your very kind thoughts and advice re my Big Sis + Bro-in -Law.
ReplyDeleteReally Good News:- he is back home, with only 2 pills to take on a daily basis. There is now a definative diagnosis due his consultant being there when he had a bad do.
He can't drive for 4 weeks, play golf for 3 weeks, but this is a small price to pay.
He will be visiting the Wrexham hospital out patient clinic, for check-ups. He is being referred to one of the Liverpool hospitals, to have further investigations + a possible simple procedure then being done, to sort it out.
It is very positive.
The nearest hospital to sort this is Chester (where I attend) but they are now refusing to take in any patients from Wales, due to the Welsh NHS owing them so much finance.
I so object, to what NHS care + attention can be expected and received, due to monetry problems.
That is encouraging news, Miriam, after a very worrying few days.
DeleteCarolyn Thanks. 🤗
DeleteSo Miriam, I hope your sister called you with that good news.
DeleteSoon perhaps your relationship will be back to its former happiness.
Thank you for letting us know Miriam. all good wishes
Delete✔️✔️💕
DeleteAll the best,Miriam.
DeleteFrom me as well Miriam 🤗
Delete👍Myriam.
DeleteIn case you are interested......
ReplyDeleteIn 1964 a programme was made called. “ 7Up”
It featured 14 seven year old children from different backgrounds and every seven years there have been follow up programmes.
This year it is 63 Up.
(By my reckoning it should really be next year but it doesn’t matter)
It is based on the Jesuit saying
“Give me a child when he is seven and I will show you the man”
I think they got it wrong and if you watch the programme ITV Tues-Thurs of next week,I think you will see why I say that.
I am really looking forward to watching the programme
I have watched it from the beginning.
Michael Apted, the producer and Tony "I want to be a jockey" were interviewed on "PM". This may be the last in the series as Michael says he'll probably be 'past it' in 7 years time, even if he's alive. One of the 4 women died. The trio of schoolgirls is now only 2. I think of it like a class reunion. It doesn't seem 7 years since the previous programme.
DeleteCRICKET.
ReplyDeleteWell we're off! Wall to wall TMS, Aggers, Tuffers, Vaughany & Co.
Mr P singing along to both national anthems..oh dear..
England 1 wicket down already, cue much cursing from afar..
Yes LanJan - me looking forward to 7 up too.and like you watched from the first programme.
ReplyDeleteEv.... have left a post in reply to yours 29th morning.
Ahhh Bliss, not much work will get done.
ReplyDeleteEv,I think the Isle of Wight tourist board should pay you a retainer for all the good work you are doing to promote the island.
ReplyDeleteI have never been ,but the Easter following the death of Mr LJ’s first wife he visited the island with his daughter and her family and one of my favourite photographs is of this handsome man and his little grand daughter sitting on the beach.
Had we not spent most of the cricket Season following our County teams round the Country since our marriage , I may have had the opportunity to visit the Isle of Wight.
I remember as a girl reading a book called “Mary of Carisbrooke” .
I must try to get myself a copy.
Ev - Off Easthill Road, Appley Rise area.
ReplyDeleteSt Cecelia
What a pity my daughter has now sold the house on the island, we could have had a mini stay meet up there. It slept ten. And a beautiful house.
ReplyDeleteLuckily I don't have a satelite so I cant watch the cricket.
ReplyDeleteHowever there is a way, that I can suscribe to Sky Sports, a month at a time. I am tempted, but.....
Sadly, Big Sis and I, aren't on very friendly terms at the moment - but it will pass.
ReplyDeleteWe had a "spat" on the 'phone yesterday, over a simple comment. I was told that I had no idea, how it is hosp. visiting every afternoon, returning home tired and then getting an evening meal, with lots of phone calls.
I made the mistake of reminding her, that is e×actly what I did for our late father, for 8 weeks.
He was in 2 hospitals over that time. I did all his washing/ironing, (as could wear his own daily clothes in the geriatic unit), did what shopping he wanted, looked after his home, sorted his mail + finances out. I also went once a week, to be at his home, when his gardener was there, to supervise + pay.
Big SIs is still very concerned, + rightly so, about her husband esp. as she is off to OZ in 2 weeks, to help her daughter and latest grand-son (now 10days old).
Things will become normal again, very soon. I know! 😀
It's not the 1st time, nor last.
I know what to do, and that is nothing.
Your last sentence made perfect sense, Miriam, obviously you know each other very well ! What a fraught situation, booked to see her daughter & very worried about her husband. I wonder if she'll be able to postpone the visit.
DeleteApologies to you all.
DeleteI just needed to let off steam and have a rant.
It's over now, and I am sorry to the wonderful virtual friends here, that you were subject to it.
Don't worry about being needy to your virtual friends Miriam.
DeleteWhen living alone and needing to share, this has become a ' go to' forum, and most of our virtual friends are willing to be responsive in a kindly way. And if not, will just not post I assume.
I used to have your current situation with my mother from time to time, until I became a single parent and then it stopped for the rest of her life.
I too learned what to do, and kept quiet until she was ready to communicate again.
She was the grudge holder, not me, and you seem to understand the same.
However, your sister must be torn with her need to support her husband and be there for her daughter at the same time.
She is not to be envied in any way at the moment.
And I hope it is not too long before you are back on the same wavelength again.
Chin up !
Miriam you aren't the first and wont be the last. just use us as you need. Take care..
DeleteIn happier news, I am off to the Cairngorms for a week - "our" little circular cottage by the river in the middle of a forest. And it's not too far from the Dell of Abernethy where "Springwatch" is being broadcast from, so you can get your bottom dollar we will be noseying around there... I am so looking forward to it. Have only ever been in the depths of winter, so to have an extra 13 hours or so of daylight each day will be bewildering! A week of walking, picnics and spying on animals. Bliss!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds fantastic, Gary ! Idyllic.
DeleteAn animal moment this afternoon : was called out to watch a rather bold squirrel cavorting, generally they scamper away, but Katya cat, who has squirrel objectives, moved in swiftly. Squirrel got the point then & scarpered. Sigh, but Katya has to do what she has to do...
One of our neighbours knocked on the door earlier to inform us that Pi (our cat) was in the middle of the road having a massive fight with another neighbour's cat, Finlay. By the time we went out they had moved onto someone's front lawn and were having a jug of water flung at them by the owners of the garden! The yowling and screeching could be heard echoing across the valley behind us. Pi is now curled up on his fleecey hammock, no doubt dreaming of extreme violence...
DeleteGG I am so jealous! It sounds just wonderful
DeleteDo you have room for a tall but slim ,littl'un who doesn't take up much room?
Absolutely Miriam! There are only two rooms in "Tinkerbell" but would happily let you have one of them...☺
DeleteThink I've mentioned it before but one of the great things about it is the no WiFi, TV or phone signal. You can pick up some radio on FM but other than that it's just deafening silence. Beautiful, beautiful silence...
GG Sounds Bliss. I am so happy with just a good book to read, in a beautiful setting. It's all I need.
DeleteIt certainly does sound idyllic GG.
DeleteWe will all be envying you madly.
Then you will have to catch up with TA on your return.
I am interested ( architecturally) to know why and how it is round.
Please tell if you can.
Is it cob ?
GG definitely not silence ! Listen you will be able to hear natures sounds all around that are usually hidden from you, so enjoy them.
DeleteYou wont have any need for candles this time then !
Enjoy your trip
Mrs P - "Tinkerbell" used to be the dairy for the "big hoose". All of the old out buildings on the estate have been converted into little cosy cottages. You can see images of it by googling "Tinkerbell Glen Prosen"...
DeleteGG - I've just googled Tinkerbell. It sounds idyllic. Love the 'TV no reception' in the description 📺😅
DeleteBut there IS an actual VCR and a drawer full of VHS tapes of terrible movies from the 80's! OK, there is a Blu Ray player as well but thats just boring...😀
DeleteFurther progress with Lady today.
ReplyDeleteWe walked on the canal which has the river running close beside it. Went off the towpath to a small pool of the river and met a woman with two dogs trying to introduce them to water. This is also my objective for Lady and the reason for walking there.
One lurcher pup and one big black boy.
A bit of growling from Madam but not much, and the woman was excellent with her, letting her be close to Mr black boy but giving her confident patting and soothing words from her. And the other dog stayed close while the pup understood and kept his distance.
After ten minutes of us just talking Lady was lying down between us and accepting both dogs with no fuss.
We have exchanged numbers and hope to meet again for walks.
People are being very kind.
( some of them )
And we have a date for a joint dog walk tomorrow with the girl that has been helping me with Lady with another dog that she walks. ( with the owners permission).
So glad to hear of Ladys, progress.
DeleteI too made just a little progress with Misty today. This morning we were going shopping in the car, but she went off into the henhouse, (no chickens in ) so I took her back to the house and went shopping on my own.
Later in the day I took her for a walk, we go in the car, no problems going, on our return there was a chicken in the yard so waited till it was out of sight then lifted Misty down, I hadn't noticed that the chickens were in the garage (don't put the car in whilst the swallows are in ) She of course went for them following one to the henhouse, when she stopped and thought and listened to me left them and came with me to the house. She is so hard wired for the chase, it is going to be so difficult but I do have some hope now that we might eventually get there.
I'm sure you will CowGirl. It does take time ......
DeleteAnd patience of course.
It is slow progress sometimes with dogs but one day you just realise that they are relaxing and responding to training. Buddy went to school with Katy today as she was doing some holiday work with students. It was just for three hours and he had a tear around, a bit of exploring then fell asleep on his blanket on one of their plastic chairs! The sixth form boys loved him and were happy to hear he is going in again tomorrow! He is a very friendly dog and loves a lot of fuss! Gypsy and I went down to the creek and it felt strange but nice only to have one dog to look out for! Lovely to get news of Lady and Misty. Keep up the good work, girls!
ReplyDeleteI bet Buddy enjoyed being without Gipsy for a change, and got all the fuss to himself.
DeleteEv, in response to your comment re animals eat animals on the other blog....
DeleteTwice recently Lady has been very involved with wanting to eat animals. Last week she dug up what looked like plastic but turned out to be very old and degraded skin.
Two days ago she went flying across the playing field through the open fence and down through the wood and stood and just barked.
Thinking it was a squirrel, when I got down there it was a solitary cow with a calf lying beside her. Areas of the field were flattened and smeared with what I realised was blood and there beside Mrs Cow was the afterbirth which lady was already beginning to tear at furiously. I did manage to wrestle her off and dragged her on the lead home.
We will not be going there for at least a week.
Clearly it all smelt glorious to her.
It was odd though. There are three interlinked fields and the cows have free roam across all three. All the rest of the herd were in the furthest field, and she was alone.
I worried all night that Lady may have prevented the cows milk coming in, and whether I should contact the farmer.
My last dog was a rubber fetishist, this one is fixated on dead animals.
Grrrr !
Maybe in her roaming days she had to scavenge and might have to eat whatever had just died. Buddy is a very fussy eater but does root around while out and about. Wild dogs would have to do that and perhaps it is race memory with him.
DeleteMrs P. a cow leaves the herd when she's ready to calve. If she's a free-range cow in rough pasture she'll find a secluded place. I've known a cow leave her new calf hidden while she went home at milking -time for her rations. That cow returned to the same birthing-place to have her next calf. All done with no human intervention. Dairy Shorthorn, lived to her teens. A small, gentle but determined cow, she became the herd matriarch.
DeleteGG, your little bolt-hole sounds idyllic.. have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteDo any fellow bloggers have a solution for motion sickness in cats? Our Merry has suffered from it on two occasions & it's not pretty!!!
ReplyDelete10 min journey to the vet & back is no problem, it's the 20 min journey back from the cattery which is a nightmare. Going is fine.
Merry is a big boy, ginger & white, but anxious.
Aware of Feliway but have heard mixed reports.
Just a suggestion...... would it be worthwhile somebody else driving, and you having Merry in your arms/ on your lap.
DeleteWould this be reassurance enough to allay the anxiety ?
And I don't know how affectionate Merry is, some cats not ever wanting to be held.
And perhaps a harness to help hold him if he struggles.
Sorry but not a viable option! He travels in his (largish) cat box /basket.
DeleteIt sounds like anxiety. We had a border collie and he hated kennels. When I picked him up he was so over excited that I had to take him for a walk to calm him down before driving home or he was all over the place. Not an option with a cat but maybe you could spend a minute or two with him talking and reassuring before getting into the car.
DeleteNoted mixed reports on Feliway. We tried Adaptil plug ins and collars on Gypsy but no effect at all. Other dog owners have success but for us it was an expensive damp squid! The only thing that calmed her down was allowing her to sleep in my bedroom! Each animal is different and you never know what will work for your pet. I took her down to the creek again today and she is getting more adventurous. We let her off the lead down there on an expanse of grass and she enjoys going round and round in circles. The circles are getting bigger and she doesn’t mind whether I am near or not. During the day she is Miss Independence! I just have to watch she doesn’t fall in the creek!
Deletewhen we were walking on the moor this morning we saw an adder right in our path, strangely it didn't move, but I did see it before Misty so we were able to circumvent it. Its the first time I have seen one in a long time.
ReplyDeleteBuddy went to school again today. Jo, head of sixth form was there yesterday, not keen on dogs but Buddy was doing his usual here I am, make a fuss of me. She wasn’t in today but he rushed into her office to say hello! Maybe the cat thing of attaching themselves to non cat lovers also applies to dogs!! Katy says his presence calmed some of her difficult boys so I think he should go on the payroll!!
ReplyDelete