this post is closed
Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Popular posts from this blog
Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteEv - March 8, 2021 at 7:56 AM
You are doing so well, Sarnia and moving towards your dream! I have lots of projects in mind too but agree they must be taken slowly both to minimise disruption and give time to accumulate the wherewithal to pay for them. I have resolved to replace things with the best I can afford as we went for budget buys which after such a short time are falling apart. The kitchen, including appliances came in at about £4000. After 5 years I have already replaced the gas hob as one ring stopped working,, it was scratched as well due to poor quality stainless steel and am now about to replace the dishwasher. The cupboards are flimsy and in time will have to have the kitchen redone. A false economy! Mike, bless him was always afraid of running out of money but in my mind as long as you have a steady income this will never happen. Agree savings are no good sitting in the bank when things need doing and of course in these days of low interest rates they actually lose value. I have invested some in premium bonds which give a better return! Carry on the good work, Sarnia, as I will do too!
Cheshire Cheese - March 8, 2021 at 8:09 AM
Sarnia, I do admire the way that you have taken on such a big project yourself. Our family bathroom has been in need of updating for some time, it will be 30 years old this year and we have been thinking about facing the mess for a while. We've finally got someone coming to look at it this week.
Sarnia - March 8, 2021 at 9:42 AM
CC, I really didn't have much choice re the garden, as Mr S had struggled to keep on top of it for the last few years of his life, and after the last months of his illness it was disappearing under buddleia and Virginia creeper. It should finish up as a pleasant space for family, or even church use, that is easily managed with the help of Nigel-the-neighbour.
I have been struggling with the outside, ground floor loo for years, due to the constant need for joint operations, so that left to my own devices that particular alteration would have taken place years ago. But - as evidenced by other bloggers, ageing husbands and their resistance both to change and spending money, however necessary, have resulted in it all being left to me to deal with. I'm obviously far from alone in this situation.
I'm so grateful Miriam and her narrative of her new front door, because she inspired me to be brave enough to tackle my own.
Archerphile - March 8, 2021 at 10:29 AM
Sarnia, you have my admiration too. Your garden plans and the work you have tackled on your own are a real inspiration.
I was out in the garden yesterday trying to clear up our very long herbaceous border, cutting down last years growth, tidying up fallen leaves and reducing the size of clumps of Alchemilla mollis and sedums which were taking over everywhere. Trying to dig on chalky soil, full of flints and resistant clumps of buttercups.
But I found that after my two replacement joints in opposite legs, my balance is terrible. I needed to have a fork stuck in the ground to act as as a prop. Trying to dig on a slope and then twist to throw weeds in the barrow was hopeless and I fell over several times. In fact, standing on one leg and pushing the fork down with the other was almost impossible. So I think my gardening will be reduced to greenhouse work, potting up tubs. (And mowing the lawn if I’m allowed to). Any heavy work will have to be done by a reluctant Mr A or a jobbing gardener.
So I am extra Impressed by all that you have managed to do by yourself. It’s amazing.
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteSoz - March 8, 2021 at 11:17 AM
Sarnia Like Archerphile I admire the way you are tackling so many of the jobs which have been left for so long. You must take pride in the fact that you are instigating this on your own and are beginning to see some results.
Once the weather is fine enough, I’m outside. I’ve had both hips replaced and an operation on my right shoulder which takes me out of pain but leaves me with no power in it. So pruning all my roses takes a long time and like Archerphile, I make sure I have spades or forks stuck in the ground to steady myself. However sometimes the sense of achievement when I look back at what I’ve done keeps me going. Realistically, my dream of a long herbaceous border may remain just that unless I can find some fit young people to do what I tell them - I would be an annoying back seat gardener though.
One thing lockdown has made me realise is how much I hate housework. Fortunately I am not house proud and don’t crave an “ideal home” BUT my garden is important and I will work outside quite happily from dawn to dusk ( my dawn is not controlled by the sun!!! ).
Cheshire Cheese - March 8, 2021 at 11:54 AM
Agree with you Soz about being happiest when out in the garden.
Sarnia - March 8, 2021 at 12:05 PM
Not entirely by myself, people, I'm fortunate in having several friends who are willing to help. Like you, AP, my gardening activities are restricted to tubs and pots. Soz, your remarks about your personal housework/garden priorities leave me feeling a bit better about myself. As for a sense of achievement, I'm too tired for pride - that will have to come later!
I think you are doing brilliantly Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteSoz your comment made me chuckle as it reminded me of my mother. She was a good cook but hated general housework and loved her garden and plants. I would get worried phone calls from the neighbours living opposite her in the village, to say that my mum was once again (well into her 80's) pottering around the garden in the rain. No one had ever told her that you can catch colds in the rain so she never did!
Soz. You have described my late Mum, so accurately...
DeleteShe was the exactly the same, a brilliant cook, hated house chores, and spent all her time in the garden - or greenhouse, when it was raining.
I never needed to buy any plants, as she grew so many, there were plenty passed onto me. I was in charge of watering the plants, be they be in the greenhouse or in tubs, planters, hanging baskets etc. when they were away..
Woe betide me, if anything didn't survive!
Oh Ho! My housekeeping leaves a lot to be desired also. I do like everything to be tidy (Mr A leaves newspapers all over the floor which I hate) but I’m ashamed to say it is far from clean! Cobwebs everywhere, dust on shelves, none of which I saw before my cataract operations. So much nicer to be out in the garden, happily cleaning up leaves and debris!
DeleteJanice, this was meant for you as well..😁
DeleteAlong with all the other comments on your FANTASTIC progress Sarnia, I too am in awe at the effort and your achievements in your garden as well as those in the house.
ReplyDeleteYou have taken up the cudgels and made your life your own.
Have a good rest for a week or so, and when the sun shines for more than an hour or two, enjoy your garden. Possibly to share for a church ' do'.
Congratulations !
Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteI love the thought of your garden being used for events, after all your hard work + planning.
After the past year we all have gone through, and when hopefully restrictions will be reduced, I can see a wonderful place to meet up with so many A place to enjoy, by yourself but most importantly, with many others.
I just hope, that you have a large tea-pot, or a good supply of other bevarages..
I'll get them to bring the church urn, Miriam, I'm not the large-scale catering type!
DeleteWhat is it with men and the savings vs cost conundrum.
ReplyDeleteAfter clearing out Dad's bungalow, we were appalled at how things had not been maintained. The patio door in the lounge, had been letting rain in, so much so the flooring under the carpet, was rotten. There was always a musty smell, which I just put down to CH being on and the windows/doors, never opened.
What we found, was upsetting.
Another window was also leaking, as was the guttering, and mould was found on the walls behind bedroom fittings.
I was so cross, as he could have had any repairs + maintenance done.
He always seem to do things on the cheap, which is why I get what I can afford, at that particular time.
I ordered 3 windows to be replaced, a while ago and the deposit was paid. These are the 2 back bedrooms plus the bathroom, which were not done when the rest were replaced (costs!). I put the surveyor off, from coming in to do the measurements, due to Lockdown No.3.
I feel that now, I am happy to allow this and so get this project re-started.
Thanks for the motivation, to start living again...
As to the last sentence....
DeleteI really mean living again, not just existing!
It's been a long, cold + snowy winter, but things are improving.
I am recording the new Unforgotten series.
ReplyDeleteOn checking, due to this weeks episode now being broadcast tomorrow (we all know why), my recorder showed that it would not now record it. I have just put it to record manually, so at least I will have this episode. It probably will show separate, from the rest of the series, but OK, as won't miss it.
A word of caution only, in case any-one else finds the same problem.
The stations this week got delayed due to leaves on the line.
ReplyDelete19. Mad as a dog = Barking
20. Maidstone, for example = Kentish Town
21. Dark monks = Blackfriars
New stations, which have been carefully dusted and de-cobwebbed (unlike my shoe)
22. Are these the brides for many brothers?
23. A regal movement
24. A present for rabbits
Have fun!
We had our gas and electricity meters exchanged for smart meters in November. Only the gas one turned out to be remarkably dim - a faulty batch apparently.
ReplyDeleteSo today the engineer came backto replace it with yet another one. All went fine, and apparently our little usage monitor will kick in within a day or two. So far so good.
Except .... the boiler had a hissy fit. The flame won't stay alight so we have no heating or hot water :(
The engineer has been contacted, I'm hoping he'll come tomorrow. Annoyingly, the boiler got stroppy after the November switch too and needed a new circuit board or something. It obviously doesn't approve of meters that are smarter than it is.
(So far, the boiler has never had a name, I hearby christen it Boris the Boiler.)
Fortunately, the cooker is still behaving so we can still boil water in Kevin the Kettle. But small shoedwellers won't be able to have a long soak in the bath tonight.
How many shoe dwellers are there owias? 22 and counting as in the tv show 🤗
DeleteI always imagined smart meters being able to detail usage product by product 🤣 we keep being bombarded with the offer of appointments to change to same but will wait until compulsory. Only the two of us so different to a large household I guess. How do you decide what to cut back on if your reading is higher than you expected it to be.
How Boris gets seen to ASAP .....
It feels that way at times ....
DeleteWith smart meter displays, I think the idea is to make you more aware of your energy usage. The toaster and washing machine push it quite high while they're heating up but then it drops down again. Hoover is also quite power hungry - good job it doesn't get used much ; )
I keep meaning to see how much a shower uses. I really can't see the point of long showers - how long does it take to wash you hair, for goodness sake? Long baths are a different matter entirely. Especially if I've got a good book to read.
My lovely new stove in the sitting room was immediately christened 'Stovokor' (Klingon for Heaven?) by my son, who is a Star Trek anorak. I call it 'Stove' for short... ...
DeleteThanks for your newsy reply owias - love the hoover comment 🤣
DeleteOoh Sarnia I’m sure you are enjoying your lovely new friend “Stove” 🔥 such comfort and joy!
Is it an old boiler, OWiaS?
ReplyDeleteNo, it's a modern Baxi. I think it was installed ten years ago, possibly less. The previous boiler was not replaced when the kitchen was refitted just before we moved in. It finally died of old age a few years later. Needless to say, the new one wouldn't fit in the same cupboard so ended up being fitted in the airing cupboard upstairs - I three day job involving a bird's nest of copper piping.
DeleteWe keep being sent postcards to return to Southern Electric ‘confirming an appointment to come and install your start meter’
ReplyDeleteBut we’re holding out too, we don’t want one.
Why, because we only have electricity, no gas, so not much point.
We keep hearing reports of them breaking down, going wrong, not working if you change suppliers etc etc.
Our daughter’s meter (she has gas and electricity) stopped working last week, it needs a very small new part which can be easily fitted.
So she phoned the company to order said part
Company won’t send one out because ‘it needs to be installed by a qualified electrician’
Tried to make appt for said electrician to come and do the 2 minute job
Company says they can do nothing for months due to Covid!
Just shows how vital the company thinks they are.
So poor, poor daughter has to exist for months not knowing how much fuel she is consuming each day
Don’t know how on earth she’ll manage! 🙄
I shred their “invitations” AP and how annoying for your daughter. Im sure electricians are working so what’s wrong with a 2 minute job carried out by a masked worker.
DeleteOoo, guess what? I have just seen two partridges wandering around the garden. We often get pheasants mooching about but never partridges before.
ReplyDeletePoor things must have been raised for one of the local shoots - just hope they manage to escape the guns and love happy lives.
A friend of mine in Bishops Waltham photographed a couple of partridges in his garden the other day. Like you, often sees pheasants but was surprised by the partridges. I wonder if they were from the same group, I don’t know how much ground they would cover if making an escape. I don’t think pheasants cover a huge territory as they seem quite reluctant/inefficient fliers.
DeleteAll I know about partridges is they like pear trees and taste good.😛
And I've just seen a pheasant in next doors garden.
DeleteThe sun must have brought them into gardens.
I have had smart meters, both for gas + electricity, for very many years. I was one of the initial, experimental roll-out, house-holds.
ReplyDeleteI never look at my gadget, (an old one now), to monitor the usage. I just carry on, with what I need + when, but then I am careful.
The benefit though, is that my bills are always 100% accurate, due to the up-to-date meter readings. This is better than estimated ones, or submitting these.
Mine smart meters must be at least 10years old now.
This is easy for a single home-owner, to say. But I can appreciate the benefits for house-holds, such as OWIAS...😁
DeleteOneday a few weeks back Mr R and I were returning from an appointment and rode back through the local lanes and all of a sudden there in front of us were about 12-15 partridge! Mr R was stunned old countryman that he is he had never seen this locally.
ReplyDeleteOnce on holiday we also saw a mass of golden pheasants quite a sight too....
I had to go to my surgery this morning (normal yearly blood tests only..).
ReplyDeleteThis was for the 1st time for a year. What a difference.
I had to press + then talk through an outside intercom, to book in. The door was then unlocked, and temp. checked.
For some reason, I didn't register. I was then taken in, had to do 10 "star jumps" to get a reading - it was not a pretty sight! I was the only one in the waiting room, and called in almost immediately. A quick and very safe experience.
My surgery is close to the University main campus. I drove down the roads nearby, victorian terraced properties on either side. I was amazed to see that nearly every property had, To Let signs, be these for rooms, or an entire property, outside.
It is a sign of the times, re students and their university accomadation.
It is so said to see, that these wonderful properties, have been bought and turned into student flats, bedsits, houses of multiple accommodation, etc.
DeleteStill, That's Life.
It is sad Miriam. In Bournemouth, many of the Edwardian houses close to the fairly new university, have been knocked down and replaced by blocks of flats - permission was granted for 6 in a block, builder crams in 10. Often no parking spaces but bicycle sheds instead. Unfortunately most of the students have cars so what were once elegant roads with a mixture of residents are now congested streets with flats, uncared for gardens and no families. Progress??
DeleteIt's harsh, isn't it, to see period properties, so desicrated.
DeleteWell, students have to live somewhere! Either in converted old houses or new accommodation blocks
DeleteUntil we start insisting on students living at home and only being allowed to attend the University in their nearest town, this will carry on.
Archerphile. I so understand your point of view. Students DO need suitable and comfortable housing.
DeleteMy thoughts relate to wonderful properties, in what was a lovely area, now being bought up by greedy landlords. These have now become, unkept and ill-maintained properties, or should I say hovels?
I just find it sad, to see this.
Pleased to see the leaves cleared off the line OWiaS. Enjoyed last week’s clues all correct and I like no. 22. Will have a ponder over the other two.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for remembering when you had more important things on your mind. I hope heating and hot water are now restored.
I am really enjoying reading the clues, and then the answers, to the London Underground Quiz. Due to being totally ignorant on this subject, I am unable to join in. I do so applaud all, who are doing so well..
ReplyDeleteWell Done - OWIAS - for this lovely interlude.
Thank you OWIAS for some more clues. I will have to do some pondering.
ReplyDeleteI don't see any comments about the H and M Oprah interview. Maybe everyone is tired of this topic already.
I hope it stays this way, the only "safe" space.
DeleteWho cares about it?
DeleteI don't.
As Basia has said, this is not the place to comment nor discuss this.
My simplistic thought only.
I just prefer a friendly blog, just hearing about every-day lives and experiences.
But then, others might think differently.
Thank you Owias, this time I've got them all, can't believe I missed Kentish Town, 16/21 so far.
ReplyDeleteWell, our home display unit is now talking to our smart gas meter!
ReplyDeleteApparently, boiling a kettle on the gas hob costs £43.67 and hour! Mind you, turning the hob off and using no gas still costs £28.16 an hour. Methinks something is wrong somewhere ... We shall see what it says when the engineer has fixed the boiler tomorrow - probably suggest we get a second mortgage.
I don't know about Mensa, I think this meter may need to join Densa.
BTW, earlier on when we used the hob, it said £00.00. And we can't smell gas. I think £28 worth of the stuff would be pretty smellable. So no, the shoe is not likely to go up with a bang.
I chuckled at Mensa/Densa, OWIAS.
DeleteI am enjoying the Tube Quiz. My score is 15/21.
I like doing the Times cryptic crossword but often have to look up the answers. My pleasure lies in working out how the clue led to the answer, looking up words I have never come across and general knowledge references and also seeing English expressions I hadn't heard for ages.
Oh dear owias 🤣🤣🤣 your factual description of all your smart meter goings on are priceless!
DeleteUnlike the gas, Lady R!
DeleteHilary, have you come across fifteensquared.net? The blog gives worked solutions for various crosswords each day. The Times one isn't included, but the Gruaniad and Independent are, and they're great for learning common crossword devices and popular key words.
John Halpern (Mara in The Times) also has a Zoom session whenever he appears in the Gruaniad (as Paul). They're great fun, especially at the end when he challenges us to write our own clues for a particular word.
BTW, I can't claim the credit for Densa - I heard it in a sitcom years ago.
I’ll admit it.....I didn’t get any of the tube stations this week. Husband got the bride clue one, I’d never heard of it.
ReplyDeleteFull house this week OWiAS, 19/21...
ReplyDeletegot 22, onwards..
I got all three last week and 22 this week Is easy.
ReplyDeleteMiriam - you don't need to know London or the tube to be able to do this quiz...
You can look at the tube map.
Of course it does help somewhat if you know London districts, but it's not necessary.
Thank you Mrs P. We were doing it relying mainly on my daughter's short time in London , and we weren't doing very well. I think we will do much better if looking at the tube map is allowed.
DeleteVaccinations next Wed 17th for Mr P & myself, can't believe it.
ReplyDeleteRound to our local généraliste 🤞he has enough stock...
👏👏🤗
DeleteStill waiting on mine! But I think I'm getting closer....
DeleteAah - a youngster 🤣
DeleteHow about you, Basia?
ReplyDeleteI rang my surgery and was told they'd be in touch...
DeleteLove the oblique sense of humour OWiaS. A fulsome titter every now and again cheers me up no end. Barking, indeed!
ReplyDeleteOWIAS, thank you very much for telling me about fifteensquared.net. It's perfect. I only started learning how to do cryptic crosswords when I retired, with the help of a manual and by asking my father. We used to facetime every day and it was something to talk about. I haven't made a great deal of progress I have to admit but I do enjoy them! Unlike sudoku or other number puzzles which do nothing for me. I just love words!
ReplyDeleteI love words too Hilary, but crosswords just annoy me. MrGG does sudoku every day - I get the point that they tickle the ol' brain cells into action, but again, they do nothing for me!
DeleteI am envious of those who can do crosswords.
DeleteI'm sure if I were to focus and try, I could learn, but without some immediate ability, I never have.
My father did the Telegraph crossword assiduously and daily.
But although innumerate I did take to sudoku and have become very good at it.
I find it calms me if I am agitated, also I do not time myself. To just do, is enough for me.
I love Sudoko.
ReplyDeleteWhy? I have always liked numbers, it is a form of logic, and it keeps my little brain cells active...in a way.
Yes Miriam it is the logic which enthrals me too. As well as using brain cells.
ReplyDeleteI have often thought I would like to do a form of sudoku with symbols rather than numbers.
Does anyone know if such exists ?
MrsP, you could fill the Sudoku grid with anything you wished: symbols, colours, animals, Archers characters, you name it! So long as you had nine distinct items. Magazines sometimes have them with symbols, as do puzzles for children (often a smaller grid). But numbers are easy to recognise and quick to write, so I suspect there's not much call to change it.
DeleteI like the Killer Sudokus where blocks of numbers have to make a certain total, and Sudoku's cousin, the Kakuro. I don't like the fact that I always have to check the spelling of both. Otherwise I tend to write Soduko and Kukuro.
I have just popped in, to see/hear how you all are doing.
ReplyDeleteI have just been out, to make sure everything is secure - as 50-60mph winds are expected overnight and into tomorrow.
My niece No.3, went back to work in Kensington yesterday, after her years maternity leave, which was extended.
When getting off the train, at her home station, after her 1st day back, she heard "Ma Ma"
Her hubbie, plus 13month daughter, were there to meet her....
PS Her daughter was already in her jim-jams.
There is a problem with the little one, with the lunches + teas in the nursery, she now attends all day.
This is that she has been brought up, with a low-salt and very little sugar, diet. The nursery does lunches, with puddings - jam tarts + custard, sponge chocolate pudding etc. and tea is sandwiches + cake. Sadly these are all new tastes to her, and although she loves her food, refuses to eat these.
It is a dilemma for her parents, who have kept their daughter on a healthy, balanced + savoury diet. They do not want her to get a "sweet tooth" - but what do they do?
Miriam - when my two girls were children every other mother thought I starved them, or that I was cruel.
DeleteThey didn't know what white bread was and had never had sugar, so were befuddled at parties with other children.
I know how your niece feels.
I can identify with that, Mrs P. From an early I trained my children to be independent, from a short walk down the same side of the road to the piano lesson with me still visible outside the gate, then to small errands down to the cake shop, further afield to the newsagent and finally down to the local shops by the river. Senior school brought a bus-pass and a timetable, with several trial runs during the preceding summer break to build confidence.
DeleteAs the local idea of a good mother was someone who never let her children out of her sight, including driving them to school, I was therefore considered extremely neglectful and uncaring. However, I did produce two adults who were able to stand on their own two feet and deal with the consequences of their own actions, whereas my counterparts still derive fulfilment from being 'Mummy' to their middle-aged children, who don't know how to cope with the complexities of their own family life without them. Each to her own.
I helped at Katy’s play school and one day a tin of spaghetti in tomato sauce was held up with a “you all know what this is!” Katy looked bewildered as the only spaghetti she knew was the real thing! I didn’t forbid sugar but sweets were kept in a sweetie tin and rationed to two a day. We didn’t have fizzy drinks which are often loaded with sugar. I think if you forbid sugar later on they can crave it but that’s just my thoughts. Sarnia, I do agree that some people cradle their children too much and they become dependent adults. When we lived in Cornwall there was a pleasant and not too long walk over fields to the secondary school. I used to join Katy even when she was older as it was the start of the dog walk for our border collie. I was always unbelieving about the mums around us who got out their 4 by 4 to ferry the little or not so little darlings to the same school! Earlier on when Katy was about 4 she used to go to the village Post Office and store to spend her pocket money on sweets. She was allowed these as not too much! It was only a few doors away so I would watch her along and the lovely owners would watch her back. She thought she was being a big girl though! Even at that age she had an eye for a bargain and would buy up any cheap broken sweeties! When not much older I would go round the corner to the newsagent and buy up past editions of Sunny Stories for a bargain price!
DeleteMy children also had a sweet ration, Ev. Supplies of their choice were kept in a cupboard and the after-school treat was a drink, TV programme and an egg-cup full of Smarties or similar. Drinks were diluted squash or Ribena - considered healthy at the time, although I understand that it is now also frowned upon for its sugar content.
DeleteMy children had homeopathic squash. As in, 'there is some squash in this wter, honest'!
DeleteI kept them off chocolate for their first year. Doesn't seem to have had much long term effects 'though it did mean I got to eat any Easter eggs they were given : )
Eldest made it quite clear to me that we were not going to do any practice bus runs before secondary school and I was certainly *not* going to accompany them on the bus on the first day.
(I had to go in to school to collect a younger school dweller after they got muddled up on which bus to collect after theri first day, but that's a different story.)
Eldest got quite expert at travelling round the country by train to get to football matches - turns out we have several friends who live conveniently near to football stadiums.
When it came to university applications they were one of the few students visiting open days without their parents in tow. When I applied, we would never have dreamt of taking our parents with us!
Ah, yes, the Mr S approach to squash dilution. My son remembers it still.
DeleteI did get a bemused look from another parent when I admitted I'd once forgotten to collect a shoe-dweller from Cubs and they'd had to bring themselves home. The fact that we were 'only round the corner' did not reassure her.
DeleteThe next week she saw me 'collecting' the child by standing on our drive and watching over the fence as they came out of the Scout hall right next door. I gather at that stage I was forgiven my apparent lack of parental responsibility : )
On the other hand, our local Boys Brigade won't let a child leave without an adult to collect them - even teenagers who are used to travelling to and from school by bus! (I gather there was some discussion amongst the leaders as to whether or not this rule was due for an update!)
I think, but hope not, I am in the lull before the storm.
ReplyDeleteThe rain has stopped, wind has dropped with patches of sun.
However, the birds have gone quiet + disappeared, as have the pesky squirrels....
Time will tell.
I have moved my car, further back on my drive, so it is away from the house, fences, trees + shrubs, just in case.
I hope that this is just being over cautious. 🤞
PS I have created a lasagne today, which id all ready to be cooked in time for 7.00pm.
DeleteIt is a good one - saying so myself 😁
All utensils, pots, pans etc. I used, are now washed, dried + put away. OCD, at it's best!
I think I'm running out of lockdown jobs. Being too wet and windy for our daily walk I spent some time today brushing the dust and soil off my cacti with a paintbrush after repotting them at the weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe wind is really getting up now and it's bin day tomorrow. The bins have gone out let's hope that they are still there in the morning.
The wind is really quickly, starting to pick up again, here in Cheshire West and is now coming in from the west. This is always a bad sign for me.
DeleteCheshire Cheese. I have just seen on the local news, that RHS Tatton show, will definitely happen in July.
DeleteI know that you have booked tickets, and I will be booking mine, tomorrow.
It will be a wonderful event, even if some restrictions, might still be in place...but who cares.
I will look forward to this wonderful event.
It was our bin collection day this morning and the wind was blowing all the loose recycling everywhere. Tin cans and plastic bottles rattling around all night due to the wind.
ReplyDeleteHow annoying. Recycling waste in a closed bin that tipped over or is yours in open containers?
ReplyDeleteKeeping short as second try at this post 😡
Open box Lady R. Some of these Cottages have such little room outside, or like mine remote gardens, the big wheel bins are just a nuisance.
DeleteStill, no evidence of rubbish around, so perhaps bin men collected it up.
Are you having problems with posting ?
Our council gave up on the recycling boxes as they were too prone to lose their lids and get blown around.
DeleteWe currently have 4 wheely bins: paper; glass, plastic & tins; garden waste (paid for); and non-recyclable. We also have a small food waste bin - it seems that the current design has indeed twarted the foxes' attempts to open it!
Just one of those annoying times Mrs P. I do as you once suggested and can get the post back and sometimes it will then go, sometimes not. I find it best to wait at least a couple of minutes. Yet again like Archerphile recently one can try 5 times!
DeleteIt’s more like April than March today. Brilliant sparkling sun one minute, then dark as night with rain or even sleet lashing down!
ReplyDeleteStaying firmly indoors with jigsaw and radio play!
What's the jigsaw?
DeletePS I had a hail shower this morning on waking up.
DeleteNow it is glorious sunshine and blue skies.
One of those Ravensburger ones with dozens of little objects in a kitchen. Loads of funny labels on boxes and books on shelves. It’s quite fun to do. Bought it on eBay.
DeleteWell that was a wild, wet + windy night.
ReplyDeleteI have no damage, but a neighbour opposite, had a fence panel blown down, another two have lost ridge tiles.
There is also a large tree down, nearby, which I can see from the upstairs back bedrooms.
Still, I managed to get towels dried outside, though they were in danger of being blown off the line.
My lasagne last night was very tasty. I only used 400g of mince, but I made 5 portions of lasagne and two of spag. bol.
By Timothy...
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the latest Paul Temple on R4ex - The Alex Affair. This is one I don't know.
I have also subscribed to Cooking in a Bedsitter.
DeleteThis so reminds me of my student days, (73 to 77) when in digs. Our kitchenette had a Baby Belling cooker.
Does any-one else remember this.
I had a pressure cooker, which I used frequently, to create complete meals. I loved cooking and creating meals, even then.
What made me angry, was other residents, helping themselves to my food, in the fridge (yes there was one).
My landlady helped me. The family freezer was also in this kitchenette, with a lock on. She gave me a key to this, so I could store my food, clearly labelled, in it.
We got on well, and she gave me lots of other priveledges, such as using a "secret" shower room, using her washing machine and access to their garden. This was a 3 -storey house, but us students lived on the top 2 floors. The front door was on the 2nd floor, via a steep stone staircase.
I was the only one allowed access, to the bottom one.
My land-lady was like a lovely Aunty. I remember in 1977, the Silver Jubilee year, she dragged me away from my studies (finals were looming), to go and see HM at a local event/appearance.
This was a memorable event, one I remember well.
We had a Baby Belling in the kitchenette in my second year at university. It sat on the draining board next to the sink. I'm sure this was not the safest place for an electrical item!
Delete(In our rooms we were allowed a kettle. Any other electrical item was supposed to have a label on it to say it had been safety checked. We had a helpful cleaner who would warn us of room inspections so toasters, irons, etc could disappear into cupboards!)
Just been listening to Clare Balding on Ramblings.
ReplyDeleteUp on Selsley Common where I walk Lady, with Rick Minter talking about BIG CATS
which some will remember I have had a sighting of in the past.
I enjoyed Paul Temple last night. I’m saving the next episode for bedtime tonight.
ReplyDeleteBlowing a gale here but at least it hasn’t rained much.
Apologies to you All.
ReplyDeleteI have been wittering on today, with silly thoughts + ideas, plus memories, on both boards.
Just ignore these, as they are so meaningless, to others. They are only meaningful to myself
I have been tempted to delete these, which I have often done in the past, but I decided not to, on this occasion.
I felt that, I just needed a "chat"
You are using the blog for its intended purpose Miriam. It’s great to hear more of bloggers lives both past and present so carry on chatting it’s appreciated. It concerns me that you so often feel as though you are being a nuisance - please just enjoy 😊
DeleteI just get "verbal diarrhoea", at times, like today...and yes, I do feel I go OTT, very often..🤣🤣😂
DeletePerhaps my memories, do relate to others, or then, perhaps- not! 😣
I'd echo Lady R, Miriam. Keep those contributions coming!
DeleteMe too Miriam. I enjoy reading about all of your daily lives. The last time I was in G.B.
Deletewas October 2019 so I'm longing to be able to visit all of my family again as I know many of you are. Hilary and I usually get together but that hasn't been possible either.
I spotted, and recorded, a film, which I so enjoyed, when I watched it.
ReplyDeleteIt is called - Me Before You.
It is a simple film, which is one for a dark, cold, afternoon, with no men around, and doing knitting, embroidery or a similar hobby.
The story is simple. A female goes as a companion to a male, who has disabilities due to a catastrophic accident. All I will say is, the ending was not as expected.
Seen it Miriam. Good film. It was at our local pop up cinema in our local little town theatre.
ReplyDeleteI hope this comes back when things get more back to normal. An afternoon matinee of some obscure film followed by drinkies in the pub. Bliss.
I read the book and didn't like it at all. Still, found it useful in case needed.
DeleteThere was a play on R4 about similar but based on a real life story.
Come on Miriam, cheer up.
ReplyDeleteWhat we each have to say about ourselves and our lives could be considered by some as wittering.
Wittering is what makes up the lives of most people in general.
Your witterings are as valid as the next and you don't need to apologise for them.
I saw a buzzard this afternoon, and it was on the doorstep, so to speak. The fields beyond the back of my cottage are edged by woodland and there he was wheeling around. I was told by some other local people that he is often there it being part of his territory. I've been here over five years and I had not heard of him being a local inhabitant before today.
I too have never heard The Alex Affair- I love Paul & Steve!
ReplyDeleteStorms here have caused a leak in our roof. Not a huge one, but annoying. All roofers called so far are fully booked until late March at the earliest so am praying for a prolonged dry spell for the next 2 months at least!
Miriam - as a few others have already said today, witter away! As Lady R said earlier, that's precisely what the blog is for! 😃
For March read April!
DeleteI don't need to cheer up, as such, as I am totally fine.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is that I am a proper chatterbox, so that once I get going, I can't stop!
I am one of those, who always talk to others, be it on a bus, in a supermarket queue, in a hosp. waiting room etc.
I just miss this type of interaction, at this moment, which has been so ongoing.
Perhaps I should do what others have said, in that, talk to my appliances! 🤣🤣
A lot of us in here have got someone at home to talk to. Lockdown must be particularly tough when you've only got your own company, Miriam. Contrary to what you might feel, your contributions in here *are* valued. Keep chatting away!
DeleteBTW chatting to appliances is fine too - just be careful they don't start answering back!
Miriam I'm alone too and sometimes don't speak to anyone for days on end. And like you I talk to all and sundry.
DeleteI wasn't suggesting you were down in the dumps when I suggested you cheered up. Just trying to get you to feel that all was ok.
When of course ALL is not OK right now, and it is difficult.
My chattering goes on on here !
I’ve just read the discussions from yesterday about controlling the amount of sugar our children would eat. I tried, I thought successfully, to keep my children’s sweet intake low. When my two were little their grandfather would take them to school every morning and often pick them up too. There was a shop enroute. One afternoon I picked them up and I can’t remember why but we called into this shop and the owner greeted my children by name. I commented that I didn’t realise they knew each other and the shopkeeper told me that their grandfather brought them in every day for their sweets!
ReplyDeleteWhen Katy was little Mike was against giving her tea or coffee. Then she went to stay with my parents and it transpired that Grandad was giving her very sweet tea and a chocolate biscuit every morning! Well, she got the taste but we managed to wean her off the sugar in tea as we didn’t take it!😊
DeleteI think you have to let grandparents spoil them as long as they don’t interfere too much in everyday bringing up by parents. When Katy was tiny we went up to see my parents. I was breastfeeding and Mum anxiously asked whether she was getting enough. Of course difficult to tell quantity but she was a contented baby and rarely cried. Mum then proceeded to get into a panic that I didn’t use gripe water and raced around Crewe chemists trying to get some! I suspect it was outdated then! It got so bad, Mike threatened to take us both home. Up until then I had calmly settled into motherhood but she was spooking me, not good for a breastfeeding mother! I don’t think she ever forgave Mike for standing up to her! Shortly afterwards we left for Hong Kong and the next time she saw Katy she was a little person of two! As determined as her grandmother so no problem! In a way I was glad to be away for those two years as I think interference would have continued through her babyhood. We did live in the south so would not have seen much of Nanna but every visit could have been stressful! I was also glad to get away from health visitors as I was told off when Katy was about 3 months as I felt she needed a bit more and was supplementing with baby cereal in expressed milk. The thinking was that you had to wait until 4 months before starting to wean. This has been turned around now I think. Each babe is different! I was glad to slip through the net when in Hong Kong as she hadn’t been born there and I could continue just using common sense and instinct! She survived!
DeleteWhen my son was 3months old my Italian mother in law visited us. It was August which is an extremely hot month in Italy. I left him in his cot with just a nappy on. My husband and I went out and left "nonna" in charge. When we got back we found the baby very agitated and red in the face as nonna had dressed him in woolen clothes so he wouldn't get cold.
ReplyDeleteTesting
DeleteWhen we lived in Hong Kong, the Chinese babies and toddlers invariably wore woollen clothes in spite of the heat. Chinese people used to tell me “baby will be cold” as Katy usually just wore a little cotton dress. They would feel her arms! I would tell them she was fine and eventually would have to adapt to the British climate when she would wear the woolies! Like your mum in law, Gianna, I guess people in hot countries think that in spite of everything little ones should always be wrapped up!!
DeleteThe same grandad who supplied my children with sweets had a way of seeing the world through their eyes. The route to school was through a graveyard with many trees and a large number of squirrels. On the way to school my children posted notes to the squirrels in the trees and on return they would find drawings and answers from these squirrels. Those memories are priceless.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely Soz 🤗
DeleteDelightful.
DeleteI love hearing about things like that Soz.
DeleteSomething similar - when my son was a baby he was very attached to a dummy (I hated it but it was the only thing that seemed to soothe the severe colic that he suffered from)
DeleteHe got to 2 years old and nothing we did or suggested would encourage him to give the wretched thing up.
Until we had the idea of telling him (spare my blushes) that the rabbits that lived at the end of our garden needed a dummy for the baby rabbits that had recently been born.
If he would leave his dummy at the entrance to their Warren they would take it and leave him a little thank you present in return.
We wrapped said dummy up in pretty paper and reverently placed it at the rabbit hole.
Next morning he was thrilled to find a toy car in its place. He was so pleased and never asked for a dummy again.
🐰
Ingenious, does he know the story?
DeleteOh yes, it’s a well known family story! And a slight variation worked with one of his own little boys who couldn’t be parted from a dummy!
DeleteBig Sis is ecstatic tonight, as she + hubbie, have booked to play a round of golf on Sunday. Remember they live in Wales..
ReplyDeleteI now know the topic of our next 'phone call...🏌️♀️🤣🤣
I am very pleased for them, as they can now do something they both love to do, together.
Sadly, there will not be a "19th hole".
Still, I bet their hot tub will be used + well needed, afterwards.
Has any-one heard from LanJan, as to how she is doing?
ReplyDeleteI wish her well.
Archerphile, your jigsaw sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI am about to start a new one, the manufacturer is Bluebird. I have not done one from this company before. All I can say so far, is that the pieces are normal, ie no strange shaped ones, which I hate.
I am only in the, opening the box and to start sorting the pieces out. It is early days.
Last December, I broke the then Covid rules, just over a week before Christmas, to exchange pressies with family.
ReplyDeleteI was very told off, so much so that some posted, how disgusted they were with me, for doing this, and rightly so.
In hindsight, it was the right decision at that time, as this was the last time I saw both my Big. Sis + hubbie, along with Niece plus my grand-niece + grand-nephew, in an overlap way.
I know I was wrong then, but I did see them, which I haven't now done, for coming up for nearly 3 months. It could well be another 6 weeks, before a similar meet up, will occur again.
I expect that all have similar wants, for meet ups again.
Yes Miriam, there were people who I wanted, and still want, to see dearly. My best friends who couldn't attend their own parents funerals, my good friend recovering from cancer treatment, my close loved ones really struggling with their mental health and both our immediate families who we haven't seen for over a year now. But I didn't go to see them. Because I wanted to play my part alongside millions of others who played by the rules in the hope that lockdown wouldn't be as long as it has sadly become.
DeleteI seem to remember you did observe social distancing, Miriam. Even so you were lucky. In the news recently an Asian family who met up. at Christmas we’re very careful but even so all eleven of them were infected and two died. I think three households could meet on Christmas Day but in hindsight this was too much relaxation of the rules. Along with the new strain it could explain the upsurge in numbers in January. Covid is more than flu. A neighbour who has emphysema spent all Christmas and most of January upstairs as his wife who works for the Council had Covid caught from a visitor to her office again both observing rules like face masks. She then passed it on to her son and is still suffering from the after effects. For myself I’m being very careful but a week ago on my dog walk with Gyp a woman suddenly appeared round the corner with her dog off the lead. It headed for Gyp and ignored her calls. She then came much too close to retrieve it. That could have been me infected but thank God, the incubation period is passed. I have had one jab so hopefully can’t get seriously ill but you never know.
DeleteI think that applies to very many of us Gary. We’ve not seen our son, and grandsons for well over a year except on Zoom, my husbands sister in Wales for nearly 2 years, couldn’t attend the funeral of a very dear friend or visit another who is desperately ill in hospital.
DeleteIt has been so hard for so many but the absolute terror of catching COVID or inadvertently passing the virus on to others has impelled us to follow the rules to the letter. I wouldn’t want to go through another period like this for anything, but am hoping there is now a tiny chink of light at the end of his long tunnel.
My daughter is due her biennial visit from NZ this year, but it is unlikely that it will happen as no one is allowed to leave the country. Anyway, she doesn't want to come as the infection and death rate in the UK is still so high. She was last here for her father's funeral in 2019.
DeleteMiriam, I recall that spat at the time. NO ONE said you were disgustimg, EXCEPT you, yourself.
ReplyDeleteI am exhausted, both physically and mentally, by the constant moaning and groaning. I have family members who live a five minite walk away that I can't see. Others have it worse. It is no good always being negative, it brings everybody down. We have all been affected by this disease, but must get on leading the best lives we can, we are luckily not amongst the 124,987 dead, as of yesterday.
Mistral✔️✔️✔️
Delete👏👏👏
DeleteReading about people being imprisoned recently, today when I was walking Gyp and feeling the wind on my face I reflected that although we might find our present situation a bad one, it isn’t nearly as bad as being confined in a cell. Some deserve it, some don’t but as for us we must count our blessings and just get on with it!
ReplyDeleteEv - ✔️✔️
DeleteI walked Lady somewhat further ( probably further than I should) today, and now I'm suffering. Feeling very tired and my ankle is aching.
ReplyDeleteBut she is desperate for exercise, and keeps looking at me, confused at why she is not being taken out, or allowed off the lead.
Still it was lovely to see the goats Jacobs and alpacas along the lane, along with primroses and daffodils.
I took a carrier bag of books to the telephone box book exchange and returned with new books, including an Archers ( W. Smethurst ) history.
My daughter is coming to visit tomorrow and I hope she will drive me to where I can let Lady have some off lead free reign.
The person I feel most sorry for at this time is Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe .
ReplyDeleteWhat that poor woman is going through and has gone through for the past five years doesn't bear thinking about.
I feel for her poor husband and little daughter too.
I too have felt really sorry for her and her family, and any time a petition relating to her comes up I click the button to add my name. It seems we defaulted on payment on some arms deal. I can't work out whether or not Britain is morally in the wrong or not. I am just keeping my fingers crossed to see what next Sunday brings for Nazanin.
DeleteI do so agree with you LanJan, about Nazanin. Her family live not far away here in Hampshire so we see and hear a lot about how her totally undeserved imprisonment is affecting her and them.
DeleteI cannot understand why our government has allowed this to go on for so long. The reports today about how badly she has been treated , amounting to torture, are horrific.
Can they not send in the SAS on a rescue mission to bring her back home to her husband and daughter?
Take care of yourself Lanjan.
DeleteFans of Anne Cleeve’s books might be interested to hear that her new book set in NorthDevon is to be published on September 21st and will be called The Heron’s Cry.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how she develops her new character Matthew Venn. I didn’t take to him in the first book but am willing to be converted.
I haven't read any of her books but will look her up.
DeleteThanks for that info Archerfile.
DeleteI don't know whether I should write this because so many of you are still not able to see family but I am over the moon because my son and daughter in law have managed at last to get back from the Philippines after a year away. They are quarantining strictly in the cottage but I can wave and talk to them from the garden. They have had their 2nd day tests come back clear and I am collecting their 8th day tests tomorrow to take to post. I don't know how people in quarantine who don't have family near are supposed to get their tests posted, particularly because they have to go to a "priority" postbox.
ReplyDeleteThey will be doing everything by the book because they wouldn't want to endanger Mariavilla's visa (but called Mabel for short after the midwife who delivered her during a difficult birth).
Thrilled for all of you Janice!
DeleteSo lovely Janice, truly delighted for you :)
DeleteOf course you should, Janice, I'm delighted for you.
ReplyDeleteJanice over the moon for you 🥰
ReplyDeleteDo not feel guilty for being so pleased and to be able to tell us on here Janice.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news and good news to share.
Others will get their turn in due course.
That's heart-warming news, Janice! I think hearing happy news spreads the happiness around a little.
DeleteLovely, Janice. I hope their tests will continue to be clear and you can have a hug before too long! 😊
DeleteLovely to hear good news,Janice.
ReplyDeleteIt is out there.
Amazingly I have had something good happening to or for me every day recently-some of them relating to kindnesses from Archersfan friends I met in London.
That's good to hear and from you Lanjan.
DeleteGreat news Janice, getting closer with each day.
ReplyDeleteHello Spicy, if you read now and then. If you prefer to slip in on the other side I hope we didn't make too much noise, it made me smile when I saw your name.
ReplyDeleteThat's good news Janice, there's no reason for you not to write your good news it's nice to hear some.
ReplyDelete