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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
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ReplyDeleteArcherphile - August 12, 2020 at 10:58 AM
Goodness, the things you find when turning out a cupboard, in this case a high up kitchen cupboard used to store baking items which only Mr A can reach
1 rusty tin Black Treacle - use by date April 1999
1 large bag wholemeal flour, ground at the mill where they film Repair Shop - use by Jan 2002
1 tin Cadbury’s Cocoa - use by June 2012
1 bag preserving sugar, partially dissolved to a sticky mess and sticking firmly to shelf!
I am now going to use this space for non-comestible items I very rarely use such as jam tart tins, and my collection of dozens of plastic Tupperware containers!
Lady R - August 12, 2020 at 11:20 AM
Ooh Archerphile 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Truth to tell we’ve all been there and have no doubt thought thank goodness it was ourselves that found the items and not someone (who may for some reason) have been helping out at the time 😱
Ev - August 12, 2020 at 11:31 AM
Talking about others finding out your dirty secrets, every Tuesday when my cleaner comes I zip around before she arrives, cleaning things up and tidying away. Mike would have been very amused! 😊😉
Basia - August 12, 2020 at 11:44 AM
Others do that too, Ev, some test their cleaners by throwing bits of paper down which don't always disappear. Further to your earlier post, whenever discussing the vagaries of human nature with my sister, we always conclude with, well you know, people...
My Mum too. We had dear old Mrs Dyer on Tues & Thurs afternoons. Everything had be tidied away beforehand. Every week I had to put my collection of glass animals away as she wouldnt dust round them. In the end I just put them in a box (which I still have) and never got them out again
DeleteShe was notorious for presenting my Mum with a piece of cracked China, a broken ornament or dented brass with the words: “Oh Mrs L, I found this, like this “ when it had been in perfect condition when she arrived.
I have inherited many of my Mums little treasures (Wedgwood, Spode, oriental cloisonnée) with all the dents, cracks and chips still in place. 😊
Remember Jennifer (?) or Pat (?) cleaning up before Emma started as their cleaner 🤣
ReplyDeleteI reckon there's more to life than cleaning. Certainly at the moment I'd rather be outside than cleaning and sweating like a pig.
ReplyDeleteOh P tbY, I know what you mean you mean but you wouldn't rather be outside here though
ReplyDeleteIt is so so hot and humid.
I think about 35degrees.
I am intrigued you this cleaner talk .
Do the cleaners come when the owner is out?
My friend had one and she was often there when I was visiting .
I would hate that.
We only have a small house and at the moment ,like with the garden,I think we can do the jobs better than anyone else.
There may come a time though .....
My cleaner just does the hard floors, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and hall and cleans the bathrooms. She doesn’t do the bedrooms, lounge and conservatory so I usually retreat to one of these while she’s here. I find it much better than dodging an all over the place cleaner! It is such a big help but not too intrusive and only once a week. Fortunately she loves dogs having one of her own!
ReplyDeleteFrom the other side ....
ReplyDeleteMy mum was a ' treasure' of the old kind.
When we lived in South London, she 'did' for a family in Beckenham, the posh district up the hill from where we lived. It was a large house, and we went often when small children and played in the garden with the children of mums employer. We looked after their dog when they went on away one Christmas holiday.
Another lady who she worked for, used to pass her daughters clothes, tailor made in Mayfair, on to me.
Later when my parents had moved to Putney, mum worked at two houses.
One very grand up on Combe Hill, where she became the only trusted confident of the lady, often battered by the alcoholic businessman husband, and a great friend to the children.
The other house was a small semi and the lady architect and husband, where a different saucer was put down for the cat each day and never picked up till mum got there, about which she complained for years and years.
One day my mother arrived at the house and soon after woke up to find herself on the sitting room floor. She had disturbed a burglar upstairs, who had knocked her on the head and fled. She called the police, but was able to assure them that he had not found the ' hiding place' which she knew of, but would not declare where it was to the police.
When my girls were teenager and I was a single mother working full time, I was in a position to be able to afford a cleaner.
My daughters wouldn't hear of it, and so I've never had a cleaner.
I need one now, but can't afford it.
Life eh !
Puzzle enthusiasts.....
ReplyDeleteI've done a number of small puzzles now and signed up with the site that KP nuts suggested.
Chose a complicated mediaeval bridge over river with villages either side and 250 pieces.
I finished it last night at 2am.
Very satisfactory !
Thank you to other enthusiasts.
I still prefer the old fashioned way!
DeleteA 1000 piece or even a 1500 piece, being done on a suitable board, with pieces to physically sort out, handle, and then put into the correct place.
I am so glad though, that you have now a love of jigsaws. It is a great, and rewarding, past time. I always feel very content, after finishing one. As all of my family, from young to old, are jigsaw fanatics, we swap/loan them around, even sending (via Wattsapp) the images of the latest ones..
On the other hand....
ReplyDeleteWhen I get old I won't want a cleaner .
I would love someone to pop in to get me a spot to eat
Nothing fancy though.
It won't matter if it isn't healthy so I could have the items I mentioned yesterday or she or he could get me a box of broken biscuits from Iceland.
Lovely (many are not broken)
Left to myself I think I could live on muesli or salads with cups of tea ,G and T and Whisky
(Mind you today was so hot we both settled for a glass of beer and a banana for lunch.)
Anything that is easy to prepare really.
I would much rather clean than cook.
Last line LJ ✔️ 👍
DeleteMe, cook rather than clean!!
DeleteThere's been a gentle rain here for the past hour, seeping slowly into the parched ground, bliss.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience of cleaners I find them intrusive. My sister and her husband help me once a year with shifting the furniture etc, he cleans the windows, otherwise I manage.
My 88-year-old neighbour became a widow last year. She has a cleaner and her meals delivered.
Storm 💥 🌧 has started all around us with some rain. The heat is mega oppressive! (North East Hampshire Region)
ReplyDeleteThe BBC Weather forecast is rubbish.
ReplyDeleteIt is blowing a gale now and is raining cats and dogs
Thunder in the distance.
It says 24% chance of rain and the wind speed is 6 mph.
I don't think so
Mind you the rain is welcome and it does feel fresher.
News from OZ is not good, at the moment.
ReplyDeleteWe are all waiting, both anxiously + patiently, for further updates.
After a night in A+E, Dad and littl'un, are now isolated in a hospital private room, awaiting their Covid test results. Littl'un deteriorated today, with his high temp. breathing and lethargy. The staff are trying for the 3rd time to get a naso-gastric tube in, to give him some very needed nutrition, as not drinking or eating.
Meanwhile, Mum (a neice) is in isolation at home with the lively 2.5 yr old brother.
It is a worry, and a cause for concern, but I am an certain, all will be fine.
So hot + humid again, and if there was a storm last night, I slept through it. I was so tired.
I can see it now:- The Ambridge Blogspot Retirement Home...
ReplyDeleteI will very happily cook, but not dust, vacuum, polish as such. I am happy cleaning, and so giving a shine to bathrooms and the kitchen, but that's all.
Any volunteers for the washing, ironing, bed making, window cleaning, general maintenance, and other jobs??
Just a silly idea, but one that amused me, at the time!
The General Lounge, will have all the CD's of the music choices, from the DID theme, plus the books and DVDs of the films from the latest one..
DeleteDefinitely Silly Season!
I’m a dab hand with a feather duster for removing cobwebs (get a lot of practice here) but would much rather cook.
DeleteI'll join the cleaning team, anything to do with water but no ironing.
DeleteMiriam, I’ll load and unload the dishwasher and at a push will do the washing up having enjoyed your lovely meals!!
DeleteI'm up for doing the washing and ironing Miriam.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Ambridge Blogspot Retirement Home might not be such a silly idea.
We were so affected by the heat yesterday we decided to take some temperature checks.
ReplyDeleteInside greenhouse - 46C
Shadiest spot in garden - 36C
Water in goldfish pond - 26C
We thought we might be having poached goldfish for tea, but they seem to have survived.
Like Lady R, we have, at last, had a giant thunderstorm which lasted all of 10minutes.
Rained spectacularly for another 10 minutes, soaked carpets in rooms where I’d left windows open, but all dried up now, inside and out.
And it’s still unbearably hot and humid!
Sounds like you experienced the eye of the storm AP and we the remnants!
DeleteWhat temperatures you and Mr A recorded 😱
Spooky Miriam I was going to say to Lanjan earlier that we should arrange to live nearer to you 🤣 or any blog cooks!
Gary, the Aberdeen - Glasgow train accident, I hope it hasn't affected you badly, rare but accidents always happen.
ReplyDeleteIt was in Stonehaven, not far from Aberdeen. I travelled on that train service, so very many times, when I studied in Aberdeen for 4 years.
DeleteWhat an awful event - and my thoughts are with all who are involved, in whatever way.
Such a very sad occurence. 😦
It was far away from us thank goodness - horrifying.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTorrential rain + thunder rumbling...it might come to nothing 🤞
ReplyDeleteAs LJ said, not what the BBC weather forecast for my area!
Archerphile,I used to put a large golf umbrella over the pond to shield the goldfish from the sun but quite often it only needed a bit of breeze for the umbrella to blow away.
ReplyDeleteWe have some metal lattice protection from the wretched heron who once ate all but one of our fish so now when it is very hot and mindful of what I learned in my physics lessons,I spread an old white cotton lawn curtain over the pond.
Whether it does any good I don't know but I doubt it will do any harm.
Mrs P, I do not want "The ABRHome in this area please.
ReplyDeleteMuch as I love London we need it to be somewhere with a very equable climate.
Too humid at a certain time in the year
How about Anglesey ?
No we really need to be closer to a big City just in case.
Not the midlands- very cold in winter.
Not the north east coast -cold and windy.In the winter.
Scotland?
The Black Isle ✔️
North west Coast?-excellent hospitals nearby ✔️
(A Girl Guide is always prepared)
South West-seem to get a lot of rain.
Plenty of time to worry about it.
Italian hills?
DeleteYes please!
DeleteWe had lightning last night for hours and hours, but strangely almost zero thunder and not a single drop of rain. I can only imagine how humid it is in other parts of the country. We've "only" gotten up to the mid - late 20's here, which is warm enough for me! How you folks are dealing with day after day of 36 degrees I will never know.
ReplyDeleteStay cool, stay hydrated and try not to strangle anybody...😨
We’re not really coping! The dogs have cool coats and wish they made them in my size! Katy & I sat watching TV with an ice pack on our heads. It was quite nice in the décolletage as well!!😉😁 hoping for rain. The storm was due to hit at 3 pm, then moved to 7, then 10 but still no sign. Dudley has had a calming pill as he doesn’t do bangs and crashes! Will it ever happen though.?
DeleteWe watched “Millionaire” tonight and the £125000 question was which monarch was imprisoned on the Isle of Wight in C16th. The lady took the £64,000 and then thought it was Queen Anne! Wrong! Of course it was Charles I so thought I would pass this on in case it comes up in a pub quiz for you! He was in Carisbrooke Castle and tried to escape by climbing through a window and a boat was waiting but he didn’t make it. He was taken from here to Hurst Castle and then on to London to face his trial and execution. Poor chap! I can’t believe we Brits topped our monarch but it was a longtime ago!
Gary ,it is horrible.
ReplyDeleteApparently it is the longest period for about 60 years when we have had to suffer temperatures as high as they have been this week.
I really feel for people in high rise flats in cities.
It is bad enough during the day but unless they have fans it must be almost unbearable.
The other day ,according to the weather forecaster person on the TV I think it reached about 38degrees where I live.
I read a book when I was a teenager called Mary of Carisbrooke,Ev.
ReplyDeleteApart from the fact that I know Carisbrooke Castle is situated on the Isle of Wight I haven't the faintest idea who Mary was.
I know I enjoyed the book at the time though.
I looked this up and think Mary was a fictional character, a servant girl but it was written around the real events of Charles’ imprisonment and attempted escape. The famous lady of Carisbrooke was Beatrice, the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria. After her husband’s death, she became Governor of the island and went to live at the castle. You can still see her garden there. She had her honeymoon at Quarr House before it was purchased by the monks and was incorporated into the new Abbey. This is a beautiful Art Deco building. I have never seen anything quite like it!
ReplyDeleteWe had rain overnight but the storm is now due to hit at 11. Won’t hold my breath! Rain welcome though!
ReplyDeleteVery anxiously awaiting granddaughter Rosie’s A level results.
ReplyDeleteThink I am more on tenterhooks that waiting for my own, 60 years ago!
Hope good news for Rosie! Katy was pleased that her assessment of A level results was upheld. Apparently with exception of history and sociology, all the results have been upheld at her school.
DeleteJust heard that Rosie got the grades needed for her Warwick University place and is thrilled. She got an A*, A, B,B, but is going to appeal one of the B’s because she was predicted an A* for that subject and the college thinks all the students for that particular subject were downgraded.
DeleteAnyway, it doesn’t really matter as she’s already had her Warwick place confirmed.
So relived!
First rain here in SE London just before 7. Temperature dropped from 22.6 at dawn to 21.1 after the rain. Hoping to do some packing this morning without sweating. I envy those with air conditioning in cars. Few more days and I should be able to get on the road. Haven’t driven since March. Mr S recharged my battery and pumped the tyres. My feminism has been put aside for a grateful moment.
ReplyDeleteMid-30's yesterday, had our promised storms & much needed rain last night, max 23° today!! 😃
ReplyDeleteWhat a storm last night, which went on continuosly for nearly 4 hours with loud thunder, spectactular lightning and torrential rain. It is as hot and humid again now!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to family members of bloggers who have achieved the A level grades they hoped for and commiserations to those who didn't.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how to word this .
Here goes.
When I was moderating I found that most .teachers inflated the marks of pupils.
This year I think that the past three years results of every school should be analysed to see how well the teachers assessment correlated with the actual result the candidate achieved.
There would be a figure therefore which could then be multiplied by the score the teacher thought they would get .
If for example the teacher was more or less in agreement with what the candidates got the adjustment figure would be 1 and therefore the result would stand.
If it was greater than 1 the pupil would get a higher grade than the teacher anticipated.
If it was below 1 the opposite would happen .
This seems so obvious to me that I wonder what I am missing.
Lanjan, I thought that was one of the ways they were going to use when assessing grades this year. But there have been so many changes, right up to the 11th hour, who knows how they managed things in the end?
DeleteOur granddaughter has now been told by her college that because she was marked A in the mock exam, that grade will stand (and after all, it was from sitting an actual exam).
She is delighted because her prediction of A*, A, A, B has now been achieved.
I heard this morning of one poor lad (in Middlesbrough, I think) who was predicted B, B, B but was awarded D, D, D. He is devastated. I hope something can be sorted out for him.
Rain here at 9 last night, literally as I was returning with dog from our evening walk.
ReplyDeleteDuring these hot days have only walked her in the late evening.
The rain was heavy for about five minutes then petered out. Lots of lightning to the east and rumblings of thunder, but most of it passed us by in this part of South Gloucestershire.
Today misty and muggy, but about to take Lady to the common now.
Congratulations to all grandchildren on exam results and commiserations to those downgraded.
GCSEs next I believe. One G daughter expecting good results but will get into sixth form regardless I understand.
Miriam, thinking of you re baby in hospital in Aus. A sad and worrying time for all concerned.
Change of subject..
ReplyDeleteBeen to the dentist. Had a filling come out In the first week of lockdown. Not given me any jip.
So today dentist says we can’t do your filling today because we need to then close the surgery for an hour to deep clean it, so you’ll have to make an appointment for the last before lunch or the last of the day. Fine I say. Also it’s only half a filling that’s dropped out so we’ll have to remove the other half and replace it all. Fine I say. It’s an old amalgam Filling so we could replace with a white one. I say whatever is the cheapest.
Ok, so it’ll be another amalgam then, he says, and will be £120!!!!
What!!! £120 for a filling!!!!
Well we have to shut the surgery and deep clean and the extra ppe.
Told him......I’ll wait till restrictions are lifted. It’s not causing a prob.
Then of course there was the usual.....you haven’t had any x-rays for a while. Told him to forget those as well.
£120 for a bloody filling. I was gobsmacked.
Bad enough that a bit of a poke about and a “bite together” costs £42.
You’ll never see a poor dentist!!
Rant over. Thank you. 🤭
I’m on Denplan but with my nearly 70 year old teeth(only had them since I was 7!) it costs £37 per month but does include hygienist, check ups and routine treatment e.g. fillings. At least it spreads cost but still expensive over the year. Dentists are certainly not poor!
DeleteMrs. P - 3.22 p.m.
ReplyDeleteHave only just caught up and read this. I was born in Beckenham but at that time we lived in the not posh Penge. Later we moved to a postal address in Beckenham and later still to the South coast. I've never had a cleaner either and wouldn't want one, unless I became disabled in some way.
I feel I am giving work to someone. She is a single lady with her own house and with herself and companion dog to feed! I am not disabled but at 72 am not as agile as I was and everything takes longer nowadays. Having her here for a couple of hours a week gives me a boost and enables me to do other things. As I said, she only cleans part of the house so not intrusive and we get on very well. No apologies!😊😉
DeleteEv - I did not mean to criticize anyone who does have a cleaner and I apologize if it appeared that way. Actually my sister's had a lady who does for years and it suits them both.
DeleteAnnveggie, I’m sorry too for seeming prickly! It’s just that my husband left me comfortably off, not rich but able to afford extras. I just think that if I can make life a bit easier and enjoy what I have left, why not? I sometimes think I should apologise for being “well off” and it does get wearing! I’m too sensitive about it and thank you for your apology. An unearthly time to post but elderly dog got me up for her toilet and most important to her, a biscuit or two! She is always hungry bless her, all part of the Cushings disease,! Bless you, Good night!
DeleteEv - I do understand and would put a few smiley emojis if I knew how!
DeleteArcherphile.
ReplyDeleteWishing you well well for tomorrow.
You will be fine, just keep calm and stay relaxed. It will be over, before you know it - and just think of the immediate result, which will literally, seen, on Saturday..👁
I am excited for you.
Have you thought about your new eye, vs the vision in the waiting one? Get Mr AP to remove the lens of the new eye, in your glasses. I can hear you thinking about the cost, but you will never need that lens again!
At least you will have some sort of bi-lateral vision, until next time.
Do you have sunglasses? If so you might need them the day after, as you might find the light bright (esp. if it is still sunny).
Don't be anxious - be excited.
It is tomorrow, isn't it?
DeleteI might have remembered the wrong date.
Littl'un in OZ is now home again. The Covid tests were negative, but the Drs (like the one's in their hospital in Melbourne) do not understand why he cannot breathe! All tests, ecg, were normal. After intaking some milk, he perked up. He is still poorly, but at least at home with his family, and managed some very soft pasta for tea (plus milk). It is now 1.00am where they are, but I bet Mum or Dad are awake, and watching him.
ReplyDeleteThey lived near to Melbourne, but moved to Queensland last November.
DeleteThis is encouraging Miriam.
DeleteYes I remember their move Miriam. So glad to hear little one is home and wish him well.
DeleteIt often seems to be boys that have problems 🤔
Miriam - thank you so much for your good advice and your concern .
ReplyDeleteMy next door neighbour, who had the same procedure last year , also gave me the tip about removing a lens from my glasses.
In fact I may be Ok, because I shall get good distance sight in the eye that’s to be done tomorrow and my other eye is the short sighted one which I use for reading.
So, in a way, it will take me back to the way I have always used my eyes but without a cataract in the way!
I don’t have any sunglasses but will use Mr A’s just to get me home.
Am feeling a bit nervous now but also fascinated to find out how it all works.
Hope to report back tomorrow.
I just hope we don’t have to drive to the clinic in an almighty thunderstorm like we are having at the moment!
It is normal to be anxious, but think positive. Tomorrow afternoon, you will both be at home and out of isolation. Well Done to your grand daughter. You must be so proud.
DeleteLet us know tomorrow, how it all went.
And I’m very pleased to
ReplyDeletehear of the little one’s progress. Must be such a worrying time for his parents. At least he tested negative for the virus which must be a huge relief.
Archerphile will be with you every step of the way tomorrow, all the best for the first half of your “bright” 👁 future !
ReplyDeleteBon courage AP, 🤞👀
ReplyDeleteAlso for your family in Oz, Miriam..
Lots of folk shouting out for you tomorrow Archerphil, and what would we do without Miriam keeping tabs on dates for us all.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope the little one in Australia stays well.
Annieveggie - you lived at one end of the park ( Beckenham Place) I lived at the other, Southend Pond.
Penge.
Took all my clothes off there for my very first life modelling job, which became a financial sideline right up until my seventies.
Best wishes, Archerfile!
ReplyDeleteHere’s the latest, Milford Sound in NZ. It’s a bit like the fjords with incredible rock formations. It was quite interesting to do from the point of view of painting the water but not generally my thing. You just need to learn techniques as you go along and maybe one day it all comes together! Like anything, practice is the thing.
ReplyDeleteI love the hint of sunlight coming through the clouds and on part of the mountainside.
ReplyDeleteEv- from what I can see with one eye, that looks very dramatic.
ReplyDeleteWell done and thanks for giving us a lovely picture gallery to view each week.
Hello All! 🙋🏼♀️
ReplyDeleteBack home, feet up, managing iPad (thank goodness!) with short eye but can’t see TV.
Don’t think I enjoyed that experience very much! The nerves mounted being stuck in a room on my own for 2 hours, with nobody to talk to, before the op. But I was well looked after in the theatre and they did give me a nice light lunch afterwards.
The procedure took 45 minutes, staring at an intensely bright light with all sorts of liquids being sloshed in eye and constantly bring told to stare at light and not move eye. I found that difficult.
But it’s all done now, eye covered with plastic shield to stop me rubbing it and a complicated regime of 3 types of eyedrops to start in the morning.
At least three weeks before short eye can be done but to be honest, I’m not looking forward to it at all. 🥴
What an experience for you at 45mins! Did something happen??
DeleteMy 1st took 12mins, the 2nd 10mins, but perhaps I was just lucky.
Still, think positive.
It is over now and the next one, could be very different.
I envy your light lunch - all I had was NHS weak coffee and pre-packed digestives!
I wore my eye shield in bed, for a week afterwards. Although I knew it wasn't necessary, I preferred to, in case I knocked the eye in the night.
Sleep Well.
Tomorrow will be another day. 😁
Thanks for your messages about the Little One in OZ. He is improving, but still not eating very much. He will drink milk though, so that is good.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious from the messages, that his Mum + Dad, are missing their UK families in this situation, as no-one can go and visit, and vice-versa.
They are all now official Aussie citizens, and will never return.
Hello Archerphile, thank you for letting us know that all's well and all the best to your eye.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile- I do know how gruesome you must have felt.
ReplyDeleteI won't give details, but thirty years ago I spent a fortnight in St Thomas's being investigated for a brain tumour following a problem with one eye.
I suffered your experience yesterday, daily.
They never did find what had caused the problem, which eventually righted itself.
You have my deepest sympathies.
I can understand you not looking forward to the next procedure but take a deep breath and know that you will benefit in the long term.
Thank you so much Miriam, Basia and Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteThe nice little lunch was a perk for going Private, Miriam - they have to give you something extra for the money they charge!
I think the procedure was so long because of the necessity of positioning the triple- focus, toric lens precisely. It will give me sharp vision for distance, mid-distance and reading + deal with the astigmatism. They’ve given me strict instructions about the eye-guard for a week and the drops regime for 3 weeks.
Thank goodness I thought to mention (at the last minute ) that I’m allergic to the Mercury preservative in eye drops. They had to get new ones sent up from the pharmacy. Also gave me sachets of distilled water, a little dish and swabs to clean eye area each morning. It was a bit like Christmas coming home with so many parcels!
You will be fine. Tomorrow you will see the results, which I am sure will be both magnificent and surprising.
DeleteTake Care..🤗
PS I have to have preservative free eye drops also, as I am also allergic to some. This was always a problem with my, no longer, contact solutions.
As I have, now very well controlled, eye pressure problems, I use preservative free vials of the nightly drops I have to use.
What I hate, is these plastic vials cannot be re-cycled (as have contained medication) so go into land-fill.
I have helped my new neighbours today. They haven't moved in yet, as there is a delay on the new bathroom fittings being delievered + installed.
ReplyDeleteI (with permission) mowed their front lawn, and then "titivated" it! Edges done, weeds removed from the path, overhanging growth from the crab apple tree, cut off. I did this, to make things look so much better. It was a once off, but I enjoyed doing it!
I also met a 'Mum" who lives nearby, 10 mins walk, away from me. She is lovely and I hope to catch up with her again. The interesting thing, is that she works with the neighbour, who had the massive shed fire.
DeleteBrownie points for you then Miriam - your house warming gift 🤗 to your new neighbours which you also benefit from ✔️
DeleteHow’s things Archerphile? Did you sleep ok? I’m sure things will be looking better today. Take it nice and easy and have a lovely relaxing day.
ReplyDeleteAP, I too hope today brings positivity.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, positivity for ALL today! Everyone have a bloody brilliant day full of nice little moments of happiness & pleasure. 😀😀😀
Oh, that’s nice, Gary! Thank you! You too, and everyone in this happy blogspace. Today is Ferragosto in Italy - traditionally a bank holiday full of picnics and watermelons.
DeleteThank you PtbY, yes I had a good nights sleep with the help of some painkillers.
ReplyDeleteBut once I’d taken off the eye shield, managed to wash my eye open with the sterile swabs provided and had come downstairs I had a huge shock.
My cottage is filthy!
Cobwebs absolutely everywhere, grubby kitchen worktops and cupboards, black edges to carpet, fingermarks on doors, yuk! Goodness know what visitors must have been thinking!
I just hadn’t been able to see any of these things.....now I can, with great clarity.
I think Miriam mentioned how much brighter colours are after cataract removal; I have found everything is much lighter too. Looking at the garden with my ‘done eye’, all is bright and light ; then with my ‘undone eye’ is just like having sunglasses on that eye, everything is darker and browner.
My tasteful terracotta feature wall in the bedroom is actually a bright orange! Goodness knows how Mr A has put up with it. I think some redecoration is due after my second op.
But I am very aware that you are still having eye problems too PtyY, so my love and good wishes for your treatment to be successful too - but watch out for the cobwebs!
Are you sure your cottage is that bad AP 🤣 my ops were in 2013 and I am sure I felt the same at least you didn’t know. I’m trying to think of my excuse these days 😱
DeleteYour “lens” replacement was more complicated than normal I think and that took the extra time. You described the sensations so well it is all very weird but wonderful too!
The eye is kept open with a fitment but it’s probably keeping the other eye still I guess.
I just kept it closed all the time. I recall being covered with a nice warm duvet affair and a nice cuppa and prettily wrapped cake after the op and was given a box of miniature Molten Brown products. All done through Benenden insurance still only £23 mth for the 2 of us. They helped because of NHS list wait times and the fact that I was the only driver and also had mum in her Care Hime to visit and take out. I was most grateful.
Remember to take it easy just now. You are gradually being rebuilt, hip 2 yrs this week I believe wow, then knee and now 👀 good for you 👏🏻
Oh AP!! 🤣🤣 🕷️🕸️
ReplyDeleteBon rétablissement 👀
Cherishing your positive thoughts GG.
ReplyDeleteIn need of them at the moment.
Archerphile. How wonderful and magnificent the experience of seeing the world through a changed eye. Even if the kitchen isn’t usually up to your domestic cleaning standards, at least you ‘had’ an excuse. As HRH LadyR says, they have the technology, they can rebuild you.
ReplyDeleteBe wondrous and ecstatic at the improvement as you survey the world.
HRH! 😂😂😂
DeleteI’d be thrown out too me thinks.
Your making new friends out of your new neighbours MIRIAM.
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice after having to cope with the previous dubious ones, and most welcome I'm sure.
The new Mum you met too, I do hope she becomes a friend, perhaps you will be able to help with babysitting now and again.
Archerphile, like others I urge you to take it easy.
Eyes are delicate and precious. Do not take risks. The cleaning can wait, after all it must have been in that state for a while, and while you didn't know, it didn't matter.
The new "Mum" I met, is one of my new neighbours mum. We are off a similar age, well within 10years, and we got on well.
DeleteI am so pleased for you Archerphile. I was like you, seeing what I thought was a clean kitchen, only to see grimy tiles!
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising how colours + brightness, slowly deteriorate, without really realising it.
I hope that what you seeing are today, will help you with the procedure for 2nd eye, as you know how worth it, it will be.
Take care and rest + relax.
Very best wishes, Archerphile. Your sight transformation sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI stopped wearing photchromatic (?) glasses years ago when I realised I was missing the colours. Now I never wear sunglasses.
My cataract op this spring was cancelled due to covid but I hope sooner or later to see brighter colours again.
I hope you do not have to wait too long.
DeleteHave you any indication of how long that will be?
No, Miriam, no idea at all.
DeleteI finally finished staining the new fence today. Although it was still sunny + hot, there was a light breeze, which was lovely. I am very pleased with the result, and I am so glad I used a lighter colour.
ReplyDeleteMind you, I also had the same coloured hands. Luckily it washed off!
😃👍
DeleteLate in the day, having been away, but just wanted to add to the good wishes, Archerphile, & so glad to hear your sight in one eye is already much improved, despite bringing unwelcome sights into your vision, as well as the wonderful world of colour opening up for you ! Never mind, the grubby bits can wait, can't they ..
ReplyDeleteYour experience during the procedure kind of mirrored mine in late Feb., but with a different one of the 5 senses : you were subjected to a bright light to, I had an unnerving drilling sound & vibration going through the skull ! Neither sensations that pleasant, but sounds as if your ordeal was longer at 45 mins. - mine was 30, I think, maybe 35. Waiting in a cubicle isn't great for the nerves either, agreed- it was about 5 hours for me, but it was NHS. At least you know what is involved for next time, but will it take as long to do ? Mistakenly perhaps, but I had the impression that the other eye was going to be less complex to adjust.
As Lady R says, you've had so much done in the last couple of years, but, whoppee, you're nearly there - just one more op. to go, & the new bouncy, all seeing all knowing AP will emerge !! 😉
Meantime, take care, be patienr, just as you were with the knee & hip ops. I guess with the eyes, it isn't anything like so painful, more a matter of waiting & following instructions for aftercare.
I think we will have to rename Archerphile, as The Bionic Woman.
DeleteMany thanks to everyone gir their good wishes.
DeleteJust two things to add:
1) I was messaging my lovely French daughter-in-law in Dubai and telling her how I can now see all the cobwebs and dust.
She replied “ I didn’t like to say anything but when I first come to your house 16 years ago it was spotless - but when we came to stay last summer it was much less so and I secretly got rid of the cobwebs and dusted our bedroom. Now I understand why,”
2) the grandchildren now call me their bionic grandma because of all my new parts! 😂
Hilary, do hope you get your cataract op. before the end of the year. It's horrible not knowing.
ReplyDeleteSo do I.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteMiriam, when I first read your earlier post I thought the new mum you had met was the mum of one of 'the boys', but on rereading I thought otherwise.
ReplyDeleteSo my first reading was correct.... well you have made an excellent start with your new neighbours, congratulations !
Have you found out yet whether they are TA fans ?
Archerphile- what a kind and thoughtful D in L you have.
Welcome home Carolyn.
Have heard today that my granddaughter has received a Merit for her Foundation Course work with a congratulatory email from Westminster University, her next seat of study.
Hilary, hope you don't have to wait too much longer.
Miriam, when I first read your earlier post I thought the new mum you had met was the mum of one of 'the boys', but on rereading I thought otherwise.
ReplyDeleteSo my first reading was correct.... well you have made an excellent start with your new neighbours, congratulations !
Have you found out yet whether they are TA fans ?
Archerphile- what a kind and thoughtful D in L you have.
Welcome home Carolyn.
Have heard today that my granddaughter has received a Merit for her Foundation Course work with a congratulatory email from Westminster University, her next seat of study.
Hilary, hope you don't have to wait too much longer.
It is strange how I feel, regarding my new neighbours (although not "in-situ" yet).
DeleteI was happy helping out last night, working on their front garden. I have never felt like doing that, for any previous occupants, especially the last ones!
I am confused, why I should have this feeling, and just, don't understand it.
Hopefully, I won't be disappointed and then be ranting again, in a few months time - this does seem very unlikely.
Happy Days - are here again. 🤞
Congrats Mrs P. for your grandaughter. You must be very proud.
DeleteYes Mrs P, congrats from me too. Isn’t it lovely when you hear such good news of your grandchildren, especially with all the academic chaos that going on at the moment.
DeleteVery well done to her!
Thank you Miriam and Archerphile for congratulations.
DeleteThey are particularly relevant because this GD is not the bright academic one, and often puts herself down regarding her brighter younger siblings.
However she is the artistic one of the three and has worked hard to overcome her lack of ability in academic terms.
She is though dedicated to design and drawing and it seems to have become recognised and awarded.
Miriam, I think you should just enjoy the new feelings of joy regarding your new neighbours for the time being.
In time it may occur to you why you feel this way.
Adding my congrats to all grandchildren who have done so well ⭐️⭐️
DeleteMiriam when you have suffered really noisy and arguing neighbours for so long the relief when they move out and decent ones replace them is almost indescribable. We still appreciate the neighbours we have now who moved in 16 yrs ago and are great friends. Such a contrast! (so just keep relaxed and enjoy your new found peace 👍)
Some limited relief from New Zealand: my daughter was made redundant back in June due to Covid and had just got several interviews at last when the country went back into lockdown. Three of them were postponed, but one went ahead on Thursday via Zoom and she was offered the job that same afternoon! Strangely, the new outbreak which began with the family of four in Auckland and now counts 40 cases and rising, is a different strain from the previous one, which is more than a little worrying.
ReplyDeleteMixed news re abscess on my back, drained in hospital on July 21st. Of our group of six surgeries the only three still open are the furthest away from where I live; fortunately a university admin friend is working from home and has permission from her line manager to do 'community work' where time allows, which in my case entails a good deal of driving about to a different surgery each time.
Initially the site was the diameter of a shilling in size and nearly 1cm deep, and still needs the dressing changed at regular intervals. Due to poor communication between the main surgery and my designated chemist (opposite my own surgery just up the road, which has been closed for months) the dressings, ordered individually for each appointment, are often not ordered in time, the wrong sort , or even unavailable because the only nurse appointment in the group is on the far side of town at the crack of dawn, so that we have to leave before the shop is open!
At one stage the dressing was left for a week because there were no available nurse appointments at all, and when I was next seen there were panic stations because the wound had begun to turn septic!! The heat wave brought further complications because the dressing lies across a muscle and as soon as I got home, every time I bent down or reached for something it came a little more unstuck until one day it fell off - and of course, it's a pantomime dressing (it's behind me!) so I can neither see nor reach to put it back. I tore a pillowcase into strips and bound myself up to keep the site clean until the appointment that afternoon. One weekend the dressing leaked and with no surgeries open at all it was a 111 case.
Much to my relief the temperature has dropped considerably and by yesterday the dimensions had shrunk to 3mm deep by 5mm across, so apart from the ferocious itching, which is a sign of healing and therefore a Good Thing, I would seem to be on the mend!
As you say Sarnia, slowly but getting there, your daughter and you, may it continue.
ReplyDeleteAfter very alarming episodes with the pesky, awkwardly placed abcess, Sarnia, good to hear that signs of healing are manifesting - despite being signalled by the awful itching !
ReplyDeleteAlso good to hear about the results of grandchildren from AP & Mrs P. in this strange year. Unfortunately, so many results turn out to be dubious, causing a great deal of anxiety & confusion. I honestly don't see how a convincing method of assessment can be achieved this year. For example, what about the many students who do not 'work hard' consistently (as we keep hearing they ALL do - not true !) but who are clever enough to pull out all the stops & do well in actual written exams? After all, there was no early warning system that the exams would not go ahead.
ReplyDelete...and the students who, for one reason or another, are home-tutored and therefore have no school to appeal on their behalf.
ReplyDeleteHad a very enjoyable break from home last week for a couple of nights, arranged by son & D in L, in an unusual & fascinating b & b. A manor house, dating from the (14, with later additions, full of history & packed with an eclectic mix of paintings, & objet d'art, antique & modern, acquired by the owner, an avid collector, very talkative & pleasant, more than willing to give an informative tour to those interested - me, in this instance ! There were 7 in our party, including D i L's dad, sister & niece, all very convivial & chatty. ( interesting test of my hearing in a group - not perfect, but noticeably improved).
ReplyDeleteSon also took Mr C & I to a lovely country park on Thurs., sporting a few wood sculptures of creatures, art transformed fallen branches & trunks, tall trees, & masses of rhododendrums with twisted external roots spreading ( they made a number of benches, mirroring this)
A short trip, yet it felt longer, in a good way, & so refreshing.
That sounds a really lovely trip away, with such an interesting place to visit. And glad your ear op helped you to enjoy it to the full.
DeleteThat sounds wonderful - what + where was it? I am glad your new hearing definitely made your break, so enjoyable.
DeleteGreat News.
I phrased that wrong, as it would have been very enjoyable, regardless. I think I meant that you were able to participate, in a much more enhanced way. Even that, doesn't read what I mean, but I hope you get the drift, of what I can't seem able to put into words.
DeleteSounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI was amazed and out-standed to read about the many surgeries, closed in your area, causing so many problems for not only you, but others who must also,be in a similar situation.
DeleteI have just realised that in your interesting post, you mentioned the size of the abscess originally, was the size of a shilling. I am having a chuckle, as I knew what you meant!
DeleteI remember Decimalistion Day, even though I was still at school, wearing a school uniform + a straw boater...
Memories.
Oh, Miriam, if only... ... the closed surgeries and lack of communication is but the half of it. Access to a GP is now only via the internet! Application has to be made through the surgery website, and if you don't know how to do it, you have to tell a receptionist all your private symptoms over the phone and she makes the application for you! I was told that as I had internet access I should ask a younger member of my household to show me how to do it - as if at my age I'm going to have a houseful of teenagers or tech-savvy 6-year-olds to bail me out. I told her my son lives in Wales, or I could wake up my daughter in New Zealand, and she got quite huffy.
DeleteOne day while I stood in my socially-distance queue in the rain, a little old lady with poor sight and even worse hearing turned up - couldn't read the confusing lists of instructions plastered all over the door, and when I pressed the intercom for her, couldn't hear what the receptionist was saying. Imagine the telephone conversation with similar patients, of whom there must be many, trying to get them to describe their symptoms to type into an e-consultation!
Once submitted, a doctor or nurse is supposed to get back to you in the next 24 hours. One woman had done exactly as instructed, and instead of ringing her back, some bright spark had booked her in to my slot with the nurse.
That all sounds truly awful! The complete opposite of patient friendly.
DeleteWe have become used to having to listen to a long spiel about. ‘Press 1 for an emergency, 2 to make an appointment , 3 for test results etc etc. Then being told only to ring for future appts after 10am so they can deal with more important things first.
There is about a 5 minute list of instructions to get through before you can actually speak to anyone, every single time you ring the surgery and we know it off by heart!
Of course, the effect is to put you off ringing at all, unless you are really in dire straights - which is probably the intention!
Long gone are the days when we walked down to our GPs house, which is
where he had his surgery, let ourselves in the side door & sat waiting in the waiting room until he called the next patient in. No receptionist, no appointment system, just keep an eye on who was there before you and take your turn!
At our doctor’s surgery in my younger days the chairs were round the room and you took the last vacant one. As someone went in, everyone moved up a chair and it was your turn when you were next to the door! It worked well and at least the next patient was on hand. We had the same doctor throughout although he did take on a partner later. He was a big, booming man and used to let me have a spin on his huge office chair!
DeleteRecently I have had repeated urine infections culminating in one happening overnight on Friday. I had to phone 111 of course on Saturday morning. A lady doctor phoned back and although I explained I had had a reaction to the last lot of antibiotics, she prescribed them again. I took one that night after dinner and one Sunday morning. I had an awful reaction, sleeping virtually the whole day, complete loss of appetite and felt like I had flu. I stopped taking the tablets as couldn’t face more of the same. This morning tried to phone my GP surgery for further advice. It was engaged for a while and when I finally got through was told the practice nurse who had previously treated me had no availability for a phone call. Was asked to go into further detail and she said she would have to speak to the duty doctor. Will not hold my breath for a reply! I now think I just need to drink a lot of cranberry and water and hope for the best. Also on the NHS website they recommend Dmannose as a preventative and have ordered some from Holland and Barrett. Reviews on their site from others who had had similar problems were very good. I am feeling fine today which suggests the medication was the problem and up to now the symptoms have gone away but of course it could come back. I have just been handed too many antibiotics, about 5 lots since lockdown but not all this particular brand. Doctors don’t seem to have any knowledge of preventative measures but just hit things on the head with a sledgehammer! That’s how it seems to me anyway! Incidentally, we had a much better out of hours service from the vet when Gypsy, the gobbler, had something stuck in her throat, but that’s another story! The 111 person told me that a doctor would phone back within 24 hours! At the time I was in pain but in the event the call came quite quickly.
I take it all back, well some of it! The receptionist phoned back and the doctor has prescribed a 7 day course of another antibiotic which I have had before. I will take it of course but hope that the preventative will work for me. On the reviews from H & B there were several people who had had repeated infections and had found it worked. Here’s hoping!
DeleteGood luck, Ev ! What a palava. It's extraordinary that the 1st Dr. took no notice of what you said about the antibiotics she prescribed. I questioned a spray for an ear infection back in April, & mentioned one the ENT consultant had once prescribed which was more effective for me. She LISTENED, & obliged !
DeleteMaybe the H&B product will prove its worth - always better to go down the natural path, I reckon, if you find/are recommended something which works
Wow that was some rain!!!! Also thunder & lightening (but so far) not very very frightening as Queen would have sung....🤞🏼It stays that way.
ReplyDeleteCambridgeshire sister birthday today was going out for 1st meal since lockdown in March but has contracted shingles so that’s now out! Storms for her today anyway. IOW sister and myself have arranged flowers to compensate a little.
Take care everyone.
Gosh, Lady R, I sympathise lots about the shingles !! What poor timing, as well, for your sister & all of you looking forward to the reunion & celebration.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to Miriam's question .yesterday about where we were staying last week : Harlington Manor, in village of that name, Beds.
Carolyn my sister will appreciate your kind thoughts, today she and her husband were meeting friends as we and IOW sister and husband too far away especially in current conditions but we’ve had a good old chat on the phone and she loved her 🎂 💐 🤗
DeleteHow horrible for your poor sister Lady R - bad enough at the best of times but to have it happen right now is beyond annoying. I guess like the rest of us she is just having to truly learn what patience is when it comes to getting a semblance of normality back in our lives.
Delete*** THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ***
ReplyDeleteMistral, I know we haven't heard from you in a while but it's your turn now. Hope everything's good with you and yours and look forward to seeing your list... Enjoy!
Ev - re your problem with cystitis.
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter had repeated bouts of it when she started school aged 4. She was constantly being sent home with ‘emergency knickers’ and a bag of wet ones.
My daughter couldn’t understand it because Rosie was perfectly trained and dry at home.
After about a term of this happening almost every day it turned out that Rosie was terrified of being stuck in the school loo in case there was a fire practice (as had happened in her first week). So the poor child was trying not to go to the loo at all, with predictable results.
A visit to the doctor confirmed she was holding urine too long and getting constant urinary infections. At one point she was on permanent antibiotics.
Then a visit to a specialist at the hospital, various X-rays and ultrasounds later, it was found she had an exceptionally large bladder and could hold urine for far too long, allowing bacteria to proliferate. She was taught to go to the loo at very regular intervals (whether she felt she needed to or not) empty her bladder completely each time. Waiting for a minute at the end to see if there was more .... and to drink cranberry juice.
The poor little child had her first year at school ruined by the constant infections and pain and all down to nobody telling her to finish on the loo even if the fire bell rang, but it did teach her how to manage things at a very early age!
Poor little soul! I think one of my problems is that I don’t drink enough. I never have drunk a great deal and if I leave a glass of water out to drink, I forget about it! I just need a good flush through and need to be more disciplined!😊
DeleteOuch for poor little Rosie (as she was then)
ReplyDeleteHow goes the eye AP? Do you did it easy to remember the timing of the drops? I used the alarm on my phone set to repeat at the required times. Amazing how quickly the next dose can creep up on you although at times it may feel gritty and that can tie in with a due dose and lovely to get the 👁 moist with them.
Hey Archerphile.....did a bit of cleaning in the kitchen this morning. Climbed up on units to wash top of fridge freezer. Cobwebs galore clinging to the ceiling and walls around it!!! I was horrified!! Lol.
ReplyDeleteWas sweltered whilst cleaning.
Had to recover this aft!!!!
The thing is you can’t climb up on units every five minutes and like weeds in the garden cobwebs grow quickly! We have grown some prize thistles this year!
DeleteI have been to Oxford today, a move on from Cambridge last week. Have just logged into the blog and discovered some are suffering or have suffered.
ReplyDeleteEv. Frequent UTI’s can be a symptom of something, and perhaps in your case not drinking enough fluids is the issue. Getting older is a pain but it is essential to consume at least a glass of water/tea etc every couple of hours during the day.
Unfortunately the role of the community health professional has changed and has been evolving over the years. Covid has pushed things further and faster. Sometimes to the detriment of the patient.
LadyR, shingles is very painful, and whilst it is disappointing you can’t meet-up with your sister, it can be rearranged as a treat when she gets better. I wish her well.
PtbY. I do admire your enthusiasm I loathe domestics and even with reasonably good eyesight, I don’t see cobwebs. I would dread Ap coming to my house with her two new wonderful eyes.
My sister and husband were going with friends Stasia. Too far for us and IOW sis and hubby to go at the moment. In fact anytime for Mr R. Had a lovely chat on phone though🤗 Thanks to all for good wishes I will pass them on and they will spur her on I’m sure.
DeleteYes, Stasia. Will certainly concentrate on drinking more. Having a painful bladder is no joke in the middle of the night! I’m glad they include tea in drinks as water gets a bit tedious! I know Coffee is a diuretic so very counter productive!
DeleteI have to reply to ESSCEE first. A son living in Chester, which is known, this is where I reside, is a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteI have had a lovely day today. A jaunt to Big Sis and seeing the two eldest kids again. They have grown and changed, but the sooner they go back to school, the better! They need the routine again.
ReplyDeleteIt was cloudy whilst I was driving there, but the sun soon came out and it was a lovely, sunny + hot day. I took my own lunch, which I ate at the dining table, but I was still keeping social distancing. At least I could go inside, for the first time, but I did find the distancing stiil being required and the loo hygene situation, a big reminder.
We managed a socially distanced, croquet match - which was hilarious. The grass was too long and far too wet, so a lot of cheating took place!
The kids also had great fun in the hot tub, though it now needs refilling due to all the water they maaged to splash out!
All I can say - it was Fun. 😉
I ate a healthy salad, whilst the others ate fish finger butties! I just drooled, so much so, fish fingers have now been added to my shopping list!
DeleteI was enthralled watching a newborn calf (born overnight), in the field behind the garden, so less than 24hours old, and still a bit wobbly. It was so cute.
DeleteWARNING - Graphic FEMALE content
ReplyDeleteEv - re your cystitis -
Like you I don't drink as much as we are told we require.
I do drink three sometimes four very large breakfast cups of tea first thing, but often forget to drink anything else throughout the day. But I do check the colour of my urine and even first thing it is invariably pale straw coloured which is I believe the bench mark.
During my young adult years I suffered very frequent and painful cystitis and was once hospitalised.
Eventually I worked the following out for myself.
Shove a large amount of cotton wool soaked in Witch Hazel up you know where.
If you can, also insert a tampon and pour Witch Hazel to soak the tampon as well.
This is excruciating for a while but becomes very soothing after a while, and it does work.
I apologise if anyone finds this post offensive and am prepared to delete if required.
Thank you Mrs P. Will try the D mannose and if that doesn’t work I have some witch hazel in the cupboard!
DeleteMiriam- so pleased for you that you have finally had some family time.
ReplyDeleteDitto Miriam!
ReplyDeleteA factual post Mrs P
that may well help many. So certainly not offensive in my opinion.
PS The tampon sounds a better bet than a clump of cotton wool- but then you have the experience.
DeleteEv How is your brother doing?
ReplyDeleteHe is still undergoing the immunology treatment and apparently they won’t know whether it is working until further along. He is fine with it all but his son especially is finding it hard to accept. Thank you so much for asking, Miriam.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn what a gorgeous place ⭐️ Harlington Manor House is. Comfy chairs, fires and wood panelled areas tasteful yet relaxing (and a great breakfast too it seems) No wonder you feel reinvigorated 🤗
ReplyDeleteIt’s occurred to me that the blog is rapidly turning into a medical directory!
ReplyDeleteAll the various procedures we are undergoing, advice on infections, etc etc. It’s a bit like reading the old medical advice column in one of my Mum’s magazines, Woman’s Own or Woman’s Realm!
I just hope we are not putting Gary off from reading!
But then, it can be very useful to hear of others experiences and remedies but I, for one, will now try to limit my medical posts to the notification about my next hospitalisation - which I hope will not be until mid September!
I've shared enough flats in the past with women who weren't exactly backwards in coming forwards with regards to what was going on with their bodies AP! And all my female friends are quite happy to discuss these things in male company - just as they should be.
DeleteNB With all respect to Mrs P, my bottle of witch hazel has a bright red notice across the label saying: For external use only.
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd mention it.
Thank you, Sarnia. I don’t really think it is for me but appreciate the advice from Mrs P. Another post at unearthly hour but Gypsy got me up for the usual. The perils of having an elderly dog!🐶
DeleteHello Gary, thanks for the heads up re favourite things. I still read the posts regularly, but have nothing to say that someone else hasn't already put forward. I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet of country walks, gardening and cooking, had a short trip to Devon to see my family recently, kept away from beaches though...
ReplyDeleteI'll post my choices tomorrow, mine will be books.
Struggling with food choices, I like everything except aubergines and sourkraut.
also, probably, kefir.
DeleteThanks Mistral!
DeleteI'm glad that you were another of our group that managed a little getaway - even 10 miles down the road these days is something to be savoured isn't it? Unlike aubergines & sourkraut. (See what I did there?) I'm with you on both of those Mistral, and I've been too chicken to try kefir even when it's marked down in the supermarket. (Which it is on a daily basis - the thought of drinking it makes me dry heave. In my head it would taste like vinegary, fizzy yoghurt. And that's a bad thing. A very bad thing...)
Look forward to reading your list tomorrow!
The flavoured kefir especially is nice. It isn’t fizzy but just like drinking yogurt. I didn’t expect to like it but I do and have a very small glass every day.
DeleteRight. I am doing a shop tomorrow and will buy some and report back! I love blueberry Actimel but don't like yoghurt - we shall see.
DeleteEv. Sarnia is correct about the advice given on the bottle of Witch Hazel. It is an astringent and should only be used externally, there is no tested evidence of its effectiveness in the treatment of UTI’s. These infections are located in the following, the Bladder, Urethra or Kidneys, so Witch Hazel soaked in cotton wool or a Lillet Inserted into the vagina will have absolutely no impact on the infection.
ReplyDeleteDrink lots and if they persist speak to a pharmacist or GP. It is possible to buy a testing kit, however the pharmacist should be able to help.
Apologies for bringing up the subject again.
Not at all nothing wrong with going with the current topic stasia and when health related (in particular) posts are always written with concern / support in mind 👍
ReplyDeleteA G.P. told my friend to only pee in a bath full of warm water........that was in the 70's when energy-saving/water consumption wasn't so important.
DeleteJanice, I've heard the news of an earthquake in the Philippines. I hope you've had reassuring news from your family, I know from experience that sometimes they make contact before we know about the events.
ReplyDeletePhone calls from both children this morning - daughter in NZ, son from mailboat on far side of Arctic Circle!
ReplyDeleteSome are far and wide...
DeleteMy Favourite Things.....
ReplyDeleteThese are books that have profoundly influenced my thinking and attitudes over the years. They have been more to me than just 'a good read'.
1) Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Graham. I LOVED this book from infant school, we had a lovely teacher, Miss Scott, who left to get married!!!!! She read it to us outside on the grass, I was entranced, and still am, by Ratty's never-ending picnic. I have read it many many times and insisted my children did, but they never enjoyed it as much as I thought they would.
2) Le Grand Meaulnes, Alain-Fournier. I found this at 16/17. Magical. Bought it for my daughter at the same age, she was so bored, didn't finish it. I tried re-rereading it myself, and found it irritating. Will try again now that my life is slower and more relaxed, I might re-gain the magic.
3) Cider with Rosie, Laurie Lee. Senior school, great teacher, Mr. Harrison, introduced so many favourite books. He taught us to enjoy literature, not just focus on exam-passing. Another countryside, idyllic book. I see a theme emerging.
4) The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger. Teenage angst. I totally identified with Holden Caulfield in my late teens, but wished he could get a grip when I was in my fifties....
5) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou. I heard her interviewed by Jenni Murray on Womans Hour when this was first published by Virago Press. I had no knowledge about black Americans at that time, it was a revelation. I loved all her autobiographical books, she was an amazing person.
Favourite meals... I'm really going to cheat here, and offer a summer and winter meal, because I couldn't choose. I left out the fancy stuff, (lobster), and concentrated on food that I love to eat anytime.
Summer:
Olives stuffed with garlic and herbs, mixed bread.
Salmon with buttered,minty new potatoes and a crisp fresh garden salad.
Summer pudding and double cream
Winter:
Smoked mackeral pate, seeded brown buttery toast.
Steak and mushroom puff-pastry pie, with cheesy creamy leeks and thick chunky CHIPS
Bakewell Tart and vanilla custard.
I am now soooo hungry, I am going to have breakfast! (Granola, yoghurt, fresh raspberries)
And some hot buttered toast....
DeleteMistral, I re-read The Wind recently and I'm not so sure about Toad, I love Ratty though and he gets a mention in a nature book I'm reading. Brilliant illustrations by EH Shepard as for Winnie. I have I can't Stay Long by LL, might take it with me to a waiting room.
DeleteI listened to the WH drama of Maya Angelou's life.
Your summer menu for me and main course only.
I haven't posted anything on the blog for a few days because I knew I had nothing to contribute to what I was starting to call "The Sick Bay "blog.
ReplyDeleteI therefore concur with Archerphile 10:27 pm last night in that although I want to support bloggers going through any health worries and wish them well of course ,I have no wish to learn about the ins and outs of their treatment.
Not bring medically trained I doubt if I could offer any advice to anybody anyway except to keep taking vitamin D tablets and as Stasia says don't get de hydrated especially in the really hot weather we have been having but I think we all know that anyway .
Delighted that you have chosen books,Mistral.
I’m sorry for my part in this. I don’t usually discuss my health but it does help to compare notes with others. My husband was nearly 11 years older than me and it used to drive me up the wall when he met with contemporaries and they discussed their multiple medications! I don’t take anything generally, just a vitamin/lutein supplement for my eyes..
DeleteNot much news from the island. We only have two sea eagles left here, one has disappeared but the others have settled on the mainland. We’ve had a few isolated cases of you know what. We had our letter about the Ap this morning but Katy is still sceptical! I don’t carry my phone around with me and in any case I don’t really mix with people nowadays. Buddy went to the vet yesterday for a blood test and is currently resting! He’s such a small fellow that even a vial of blood must cause him to be depleted! He will be fine tomorrow! Lovely to read about ventures out of home and garden. Slowly we return to normal!
Perhaps I should apologise as well, but my contribution was mainly a rant against the anxiety and frustration caused by the very poor health provision currently on offer in my area. Not to worry, Ev, you weren't THAT graphic.
DeleteMistral Wind in the Willows was my favourite book when a child. If I have to choose between them I would love your summer menu.
ReplyDeleteBasia thank you for asking. Yes I had a whatts app message from my son that I found
early this morning telling me about the earthquake. He said the walls were wobbling and the floor rippling. It was the biggest earthquake he had experienced, but he said his wife called it a small one! He said the houses where they are are built with concrete pillars that have metal rods in them, and that apparently, not sure how, helps protect them. I do worry about him, particularly as he is the only Westerner in that area, but on the other hand he is having adventures that he would never have had here.
Thank you to everyone who sent best wishes a week ago on my birthday, this is my first time back on the blog. Had a wonderful time, but it was the most walking I had done since being ill and just had to crash out for 2/3 days when back. All the entry times for the visits had to be prebooked, and I had done things like booking Stourhead for the morning and Lacock Abbey gardens in the afternoon not realising each one deserved a whole day to itself. The underground grotto at Stourhead with statues, water nymph/water god, was bliss in the extreme heat with coolness and icy water to dip one's toes in. We also packed in Castle Combe and Lacock village with its architecture and building materials so beautiful and very different from Cornwall, and on the day travelling back we went to Avebury stone circle, and also West Kennet longbarrow, a magical place with red kites circling overhead. It had been about 40 years since I had last been inside the longbarrow. The acoustics are good inside and for anyone who knows the Tolkien films my daughter found the Misty Mountain song of the dwarves on her phone and played it. Spine tingling, and with no one else there. It was nice getting away from the beach crowds back home.
Mrs P I think it must have been lovely for you living in Bradford on Avon for 2 years. We were staying in Woolley Green just outside but we did follow your advice and have a look in the evening, and loved the ancientness of many of the buildings. It seems strange we were so near you, but if visitors didn't arrive in the time slot allocated they would turn them/us away.
Sorry for the long post folks, but I have got a week to make up for.😉
We also visited a lesser known national trust garden Chalfield Manor, again the house of course was not open but the garden with its Arts and Crafts style design was probably one of the best I have been to.
DeleteThanks Mistral!
ReplyDeleteLove Wind in the Willows, love Catcher in the Rye and have a vague memory of reading Cider With Rosie in school. Will investigate the other two at my leisure - have seen Maya Angelou read from her books but never read any myself.
I will join you in both of your meals! I love, love, love smoked salmon and Bakewells and pies and cheese and cream and....you get my drift!
(Mr GG makes the best smoked mackerel pate I have ever tasted.)
A friend gave me a scratch off bucket list book chart .
ReplyDeleteThere are 100 books chosen because "they are 100 of the most beautifully written books"
I have to say I have some way to go but certainly some have been scratched off
I invite you to say
Which of Mistral's choices is or are there?
Which Charles Dickens books have been chosen. (Only 2)
Which Bronté sisters book or books is or are there?
Which Agatha Christie book ?
Which Enid Blyton book?
Which of Thomas Hardy's books.?
Which book about animals not mentioned earlier ?
Which Jane Austin? (1)
Any other book you think should be there.
The winner of this little competition will get to choose a Charity to which I will send a small donation.
NB
If ever I lose anything I ask St Anthony for help finding it.
I always put money in my Charity box when he does .
That is from where the donation will come.
I am always putting things down but north away.
5)
I know why the caged bird sings
DeleteBleak House, David Copperfield
Villette, Wuthering Heights
The Body in the Library
The Faraway Tree
Far from the Madding Crowd
Watership Down
Emma
Wolf Hall
Right.
ReplyDeleteI reckon wind in the willows will be there.
Cider with Rosie.
Charles Dickens. ....going for a Christmas carol and David copper field.
Bronte.....withering heights
Enid blyton.... noddy books.
Thomas hardy....far from madding crowd.
Don’t know about an animal book
Jane Austin.....reckon pride and prejudice.
Whoops missed Agatha....should be murder on orient express.
I think jilly coopers riders should be on for the raunchy catagory!!
Mr PtbY says .....wisden book of obituaries is a good read.
Bugger any Shakespeare.....all crap.
Reckon I could be a winner here!!!!
Thank-you Mistral, for your book choice. Sadly, the only one I know, is Wind in The Willows.
ReplyDeleteHowever, your meals sound so delicious. I will eat all of them, if I can have the creamy leeks, without the cheese. 😉
Ev - I believe one of "your" sea eagles, is around in N.Norfolk.
ReplyDeleteThis could be a suitable habitat (I think).
Little Sis, who not only lives in that area, where she spends hours on many beaches walking the dog, but is also a true bird watcher. She always has her strong binoculars with her, and is keeping her eyes open - just in case. Mind you with the Norfolk traffic, getting to the beaches in this area is almost impossible.
DeleteThe favourite one (which I have often visited) is closed off. The access is down a "private road" which the residents have barricaded it closed, which they can do. I don't blame them, but it is hard for other locals, who go there.
Generally, another hot and sunny afternoon, but after the heavy rain overnight and this morning, I have not been able to mow the lawns or work in the garden.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow is another day.
Wind in the Willows. Cider with Rosie.
ReplyDeleteGreat Expectations, David Copperfield.
Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights.
Murder on the Orient Express.
??
Tess of the d'Urbervilles.
Animal Farm.
Pride & Prejudice.
Janice, when I heard there was "only" one casualty my first thought was, oh not that bad, but of course when you're there it's frightening. I've experienced some earth tremors and they were unpleasant.
ReplyDeleteIn reply to Lanjan:-
ReplyDeleteCharles Dickens - David Copperfield + A Christmas Carol
Bronte - Charlotte with Jane Eyre
Agatha Christie - Death on the Nile
Enid Blyton - A Magic Faraway Tree
Thomas Hardy - Women in Love
Jane Austin - Pride+Predujice
Animal - Watership Down
Mistral Choice - Cider with Rosie.
DeleteSpot the deliberate mistake....yes I knew as soon as I published.
DeleteThomas Hardy - Tess of the D'ville
I hope I can correct my "faux pas" 🤞
Of course you can,Miriam.
DeleteJanice, I am so impressed with the amount of places you managed to visit, several of which I would have recommended including Chalfield Manor, and of course Laycock.
ReplyDeleteBut I can understand your exhaustion, you packed so much in.
I lived in Malmesbury, another nearby ' ancient town ' for five years in the seventies, and we visited BoA a great deal when living there.
When I went to live in BoB in the nineties, it was to become part of a ' Community Play' as a volunteer.
I served on the research team, the writing team, worked in the play office, and finally was the assistant to all three artistic directors as well as being the props master.
I did have a part in the play, but it reduced weekly as my other responsibilities grew.
In many ways it was the best two years of my life, I felt fully extended and in so many different directions.
It is a lovely town.
And just to add, Bradford On Avon was the first town where a Civic Trusts was created.
My only regret is that I didn't find a home there and so moved on, again.
Pleased to hear that your son and Din L are safe after the earthquake.
Mistral. I have read three of your books and had ‘Wind in the willows’ read to me, twice. It is a very English book.
ReplyDeleteThe Salinger was my favourite when younger and Maya Angelou is wonderful. I was never really gripped by Laurie Lee and the Alain-Fournier I shall check out.
I would eat all your starters and main dishes, especially the winter pate with buttery toast, steak and mushroom pie with chips. Much as I would love to eat the desserts I would have to decline.
Then it will salad to remove the weight gain. It would be worth it . Wonderful self indulgence.
MISTRAL
ReplyDeleteI have come onto the blog late and masses of posts have come between your book list being posted and me commenting
So apologies for being late:
Wind in the Willows - bought for me by my Dad when I was very small. He read it to me every night and I adored it. I still have that original edition plus a Beautifully leather bound Folio Society edition. It’s the original one I love most.
Cider with Rosie - loved it, as a book and a radio play. Have all Laurie Lees books and especially love ‘As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning’.
Maya Angelou - yes, yes!
You menus: yes please!
I’d enjoy everything on them. In fact I made a Bakewell Tart for our Dessert on Sunday, from a proper Bakewell Pudding recipe - delicious with cream.
So thank you for your selection, I really enjoyed it.