Lanjan - April 19, 2021 at 7:44 PM Mrs P ,I think it is fine if neighbours offer to feed a cat whilst on holiday but two things occur to me. It can be a worry for the neighbours though . A pet cat may need companionship too as well as food Percy misses his" master " so much that for several weeks I put Mr LJ's woollen jumper on a chair for Percy to sit on. Now Percy has taken to sitting on my knee. Poppy who likes her own company and rarely joined us has decided that she is going to keep me company at night . Apart from visiting the bonding bench she keeps herself to herself the rest of the time. At first she perched at the bottom of the bed but now she sits on the blanket chest over night but taps me between 6:30am and 7:00am each morning.
I hope Miriam thinks about my suggestion I believe they the animal nurses at our Vet's do pet sitting too before and after work . That could be another option for Miriam.
Miriam - April 19, 2021 at 8:03 PM My problem is, my PussCat only responds to me. She is the original "scaredy cat". As soon as some-one comes into the house, she does a runner and hides for hours + hours. When the window cleaner last came, she was in the lounge with me, On hearing the brush on the window, she disappeared. I found her, many hours later, still cowering in the wardrobe She does not react to any-one, but me. This is why, the cattery have spoken to me re her pining, not eating and not responding, in any way. She just curls up in her bed, sleeping on a jumper of mine with my scent, and becomes ' "comatose". I have been given an alternative idea. This is an automatic feeder, loaded with the dry food, my cat eats. It is programmed to issue a set amount of food at set times. It's worth looking into.
Lady R - April 19, 2021 at 8:40 PM How long would you intend to be away Miriam? Because I think all the while you have your now much older puss you are not going to be able to have more than days out (if you are to retain peace of mind) maybe chance a night away....
Lady R - April 19, 2021 at 8:42 PM Thoughts on the ⚽️ situation Lanjan 🤔
Lanjan - April 19, 2021 at 9:02 PM Disgusted Lady R. It is all about greed. I can't see it happening. I remember when footballers(we had three players of what was then the first Division living close to where I lived in the 1960s) were paid £20 a week! Half time in the Leeds Liverpool match match which Percy and I have been watching Poppy thinks it is rubbish.
OldWomanInAShoe - April 19, 2021 at 10:27 PM Ah, Lanjan, you had the same trouble as me! I thought my comment hadn't posted so re-wrote it. Both replies stayed hidden until I typed 'load more'.
I think I could get on with Poppy, we seem to share the same attitude to football ; )
Rumor has it that the cat in the video above has already formed a breakaway league where he gets 2 packets of Dreamies, 4 fishes and fresh ball of string EVERY DAY just for taking part...
I think I've mentioned before that we are lucky enough to have several people that are delighted to look after our cat whenever we go away. Pi has known them all his life and he doesn't seem to mind. (Although he does go in a tiny little huff when he sees us packing suitcases!) We happily return the favour when they go away.
Miriam, in the heady days when we had visitors (!) did she ever get to know a frequent visitor, maybe your family? I just wondered whether she could bond with anyone else even if in a small way. Our boys love their dog walker and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they wait for her by the door. There again they are anybody’s given a bit of fuss! It is a good idea to socialise them with other people but recognise it can be difficult with timid animals.
She hides away from every-one, even my lovely family. Some have only ever seen her from a distance, if she was in the garden, at that time. The only person she was happy with + responded to, was my late Dad.. Why do our pets, give us so many concerns + complications - It's because we love them.
People may remember the problem I had with looking after our neighbours cat(s) every time they went on holiday, which was several times a year. At first we didn’t mind too much, but after several years of assuming we would be willing to help at the drop of a hat I felt it was getting beyond a joke. It eventually stopped when, very sadly, the cat we were looking after when they were on their third cruise of the year, was run over on the busy road outside our cottages. We had the awful job of imparting the news and presenting them with the cats body when they arrived home next day. I thought we were free of cat sitting duties until, a few months later they bought 2 very expensive pedigree Burmese kittens. We weren’t asked to look after them and I wouldn’t have accepted the responsibility. But when the next holiday came up we were asked if we’d mind taking the kittens down to the local chattery and picking them up two weeks later because the neighbours flights didn’t fit in with chattery opening times!
Thank-you all for the cat ideas. I have appreciated reading them. She was with me in the sun-shine, whilst I was working in the front garden this morning..until a neighbour came for a catch-up. She is still hiding somewhere!
I have to say, my front garden is looking great (apart from the dying bulbs), esp. as I attacked the edges of the lawn, with an old bread knife. These are now crisp and straight.
I will be off to a garden centre soon, as need so many perennials/herbaceous plants, to re-do the back border. I cannot believe that it is nearly a year, since that fence fire last year. I now have basically, an empty flower bed and blank canvas. The plants which were affected, not burnt but just scorched, have not reappeared. One has, a lovely purple Astillbe.
My wonderful "Bluebird Hibiscus", is not showing any sign of life, well just yet. It partially flowered last year after the event, so I am 🤞 it is just late this year.
A large shrub, or small tree, shrivelled purely to the heat created. I cut it well back last autumn, but only half is now growing new foliage. I will be out with a saw, to remove the "dead" part.
I am surprised, how my garden has been affected, one year on. I had hoped much more would have revived + re-juvinated, but sadly this is not happening. The other thing, I cannot get any sort of compensation for new planting costs, from the person whose was responsible. Remember he used a gas-fired "gun" to burn weeds off, put it away in the shed, but was obviously not "off". As such this gas canister exploded - the rest is now history.
Miriam...... if your cat hides from everyone, in my opinion you don't have a problem. Because.... if a neighbour popped in to put down food twice a day and your puss hides, puss would then return to eat the food when the person has gone. In other words his hiding successfully prevents him from having to interact with anyone, and he gets his food in seclusion. The important aspect being, he gets to stay in his own home.
One of my cats in the past, a stray from Camden Town, never became friendly, though was tolerant, towards me. Nobody else ever saw him, because he would always hide. But when I went away and a neighbour came and fed him, he was never seen, but he did continue his meals. It is the house he lives in and the smell of you and that house that is of utmost importance to him.
OWIAS Has the train reached the terminus and I’ve missed it? Last week’s were a mixture, one easy, one I’m pretty sure of and the other I’m in two minds about. I’ve enjoyed the journey from a comfy sofa rather than a wet boat, mid Atlantic.
I have heard of Tom Cruise but don't know what he looks like . Is he titchy ,P tbY? Never heard of Paul Bettany Sat at the next table to Malcolm Mc Dowell at a pub in Scotland in the 1970s.
I ordered last night (on-line), a sun lounger, which I have looked at, and finally decided it was exactly what I wanted. This was a pre-order, for deivery at the end of April, early May. After my credit card payment had gone through, the confirmation e-mail came through. A few hours later, another e-mail arrived, delivery not until mid June! I am so disappointed. I do understand why though, as this item is coming in from Italy, so with the Brexit + Covid problems, I have to accept + be patient.
I forgot to add. The Repair Shop tonight, BBC1 at 8.00pm, has a magical moment. I saw a hint of this on Morning Live, this morning...I hope it is as predicted.
I have still joined the "dots to dots" together. I know, I will never learn if my guess is correct, and rightly so. I appreciate your secret, should be just that - A family Secret of yours. At least you have so many wonderful memories, to enjoy both then + now. ⚽️
Met up with some friends this afternoon whom we haven't seen for months. Went for a walk then had a cuppa sitting on their patio which faces west overlooking the Cheshire plain. Good company and lovely scenery the only thing that could be better would be to meet up with family, will have to be patient on that one.
The station driver wishes to apologise for the delay to this service: the points were wrong on Monday and the stations got shunted into a siding by mistake. The final answers, drum roll please: 🥁🥁🥁🥁
37. In an East American fashion = Boston Manor 38. A gap comes into existence = Holborn 39. ‘I’m sorry, I haven’t a clue’ = Mornington Crescent
So, what were your final scores? For now, the winner(s) will just need to bask in their glory online. But perhaps I'll be able to award a trophy when we're able to have an in-person meet-up again.
Old Woman ,thank you very much for the quiz. I did get the final three correct. Had you allowed me to have a whole mark for St John's Wood rather than half a mark I would have had 100% but I have to say I was very competitive and refused to give up until I had got an answer. I love cryptic quiz questions
I missed that. Many's the time I quequed up at opening time at the gates for competitions! Lovely day here though. Pity against Yorkshire though! Have my hair done today! Going grey and hair screw up are no longer the fashion!
OWiaS : as I missed one week my final score is 36/36. Thank you - it was great fun. I do a lot of cryptic crosswords so enjoyed the ingenious lateral thinking.
OWIAS I don’t know how I missed Boston Manor but I did - Maryland was my only connection to East coast. Final score 37/40. Good fun. I could play Mornington Crescent with authority now!!! Thank you.
I try to do the Times General Knowledge. Questions every day -as do my younger son ,young friend (who will remain nameless !) her husband and their friend. 90% of the time I hold the others up ! On one occasion I actually got the most correct answers. In today's quiz one of the questions is "Which London Underground Station is the only one containing the letter "z" ?" I have spent all morning trying to think of the answer (I do allow myself thinking time ) I have just come up with what I thought was the correct one. Checked the answers It was wrong!
Thank you OWIAS. I enjoyed trying to find the answers. I think I must be the only one who hasn't kept a score probably because I'm not a competitive person.
Yes thank you also from me. I now know a lot more about the London underground. I thought no 38 was clever. We might possibly have got about 15 🤣😣 but didn't really keep count either.
Thank you I will search now. BUT hooray, hooray I have had my hair done, Coloured and tinted! Gosh I feel so much better! Also booked up for two more appointents so as to get my hair done prior to the wedding! Now for a hat. Also not yet decided what colour to get. Maybe dusky purple, green, blue or just a rainbow of colours! Decisions, decisions!
I am spending this glorious afternoon indoors researching sewage treatment plants. 🤔 My brother has already addled his head doing it. Now that his fields below the houses are rented out our ancient Victorian system will apparently NOT DO according to the farmer now renting them. Admittedly it has been known to overflow a bit, and we had some torrential rain over winter. I thought a modern 2 compartment septic tank would do but because the old system will still be used as the soakaway that will NOT DO either. So it is going to have to be a full on treatment plant (expensive), and you wouldn't believe how many different types there are! and it has to be big enough for the two houses. Sigh. The Victorians were incredible builders. I have looked in the cess pit after times it has been emptied and it is so well made. Oh wonders, an excuse to abandon this, son and daughter in law have just materialised with picnic rug and food and are suggesting a little afternoon tea picnic up in the field above the house.
No it's okay Miriam, we have modern pipes now, and before that they were mainly iron. Some people did still have old lead pipes, and that caused health problems in 1988 when aluminium sulphate got tipped accidentally in to our water supply. As the aluminium broke down it became very acidic and stripped lead and copper from the pipes into the water supply. People knew very well, because they were feeling ill, that something was wrong but it was just as the privatisation of our water was about to go through and the powers to be tried to do a cover up job; but people are not daft.
Lovely day today. I started at a Retail Park that I like in Wales, (for the 1st time since December), 2nd stop a garden centre, and 3rd stop, a lovely B+M store (again not visited for ages).
I enjoyed my long mooch around, feeling no angst and just taking my time. I got what I wanted, a lovely 40th Wedding Anniversary card for Little Sis, for 10days time. Where has that time gone? A related memory - it was the day after the wedding, when it was realised that a photo of just Mum + Dad together, had not been taken. They the dressed up again, in all their wedding finerary again, so photos could be taken and before the Morning Suit had to be returned to Moss. Bros.There is no indication in the resulting photos, taken by family members, that this was the day after.
The garden centre was quiet, even on such a sunny day. I bought a load of new herbaceous perennials , nine in total, to be planted into my back border. Hopefully it will look like it was last, and in previous years. I need to get my garden plant book out, to check heights + widths, so can decide what I plant +where + why. Some lovely sunny days are now forecast, so it will be back out with the spade + fork, to continue the digging. I also got the compost I wanted, ready for my planters, window box and hanging basket, for in a month's time. I needed to talk to a lovely bloke, as I couldn't find any delphiniums, which I wanted. He led me to where they were, but there were only a few. He was saying that there is a big problem getting deliveries on items, already on order, as many delays. I have noticed this is some shops, in that not as well stocked as expected.
You can now Wake-Up again - the verbal drivel has now ended...
Amazed and relieved to have arranged a hair appointment for next week. Drove over to shop to go in, in person, because the phone was constantly engaged. At first they said it would be several weeks but as I was standing there my stylist had a cancellation over the phone for next Tuesday and I was offered it. Serendipity!
Brlliant News! When I was out + about this morning, it was quite breezy, so on arriving home, I looked like the Wild Woman. My countdown is 2 weeks..✂️✂️
My short layered hair has grown quite a lot, despite my trimming attempts and it now curls up at the bottom behind my ears. I actually quite like it a bit longer so I don’t think I’ll go mad and have too much chopped off. Mostly I want the great thatch of frizzy hair at the back thinned down a bit. Why has it gone frizzy in old age? It never used to be, but since I went grey the texture has changed completely.
My hair appointment isn’t until may 4th. From being usually very short it has now got to nearly shoulder length. It has a mind of its own and is a bloody mess. Every time I leave the house I put a hat on!💇♀️👩🌾
Had my hair cut on Wednesday. At the beginning of lockdown I decided to let the colour grow out and go grey, I'm now about half way there and have no regrets so far, in fact I've found it quite liberating. The hairdresser said a lot of her clients were doing the same. Off to the garden to do some watering. I've got a lot of frost damage this year now it's a battle to keep things going with no rain for ages, memories of last year!
I am also very "silver" now, as all my highlights grew out, in the first lockdown. This doesn't worry me at all + I just embrace this change, as it natural, after all. There was also a hard frost here, this morning. Typical, the day after I turned the CH off!
My lockdown curls, are now just so awful. I, like Archerphile, have a short haircut, and can't wait to get it back to my normal short style again. At least I have not been tempted to trim it up, this time around, as I caused problems, by doing so previously. The wait will be worth it.
Cheshire Cheese, and others in my area - be warned - as the forecast is predicting a temp. of -2C tonight, so another hard frost in the morning. Just saying, in case need to prorect plants.
Morning everyone. Was it you Lady R who is, like me, having your second Astra Zeneca today? I have been a bit concerned about the talk of cerebral clots so am going to take a couple of aspirin today after the injection, and maybe tomorrow as well.
Just looked it up and the official guidelines are that aspirin won't help, but I wonder how much they actually really know. We are in new territory with all of this.
We are being visited by the ONS Covid tester again today. But this time, and from now on, we are asked to give a blood sample as well as swabs. This will carry on for at least another year as they want to see if our anti-bodies are raised after having both vaccine jabs, and if so, for how long they last. The instructions for taking the blood sample, which we do ourselves, are quite amusing. Including ‘ wash you hands in warm water and swing your arm round in circles to get the blood flowing to your finger! Oh, and we have to do it sitting down in case we feel faint - all over a small drop of blood! As far as Mr A is concerned this is all superfluous as he does at least 4 blood tests a day!
It is wonderful that they are doing this research and that you are taking part. I was one of a random sample asked to do a covid test, but only had to do the one. Can I ask Archerfile, some time in the past I am sure someone mentioned having a new septic tank or treatment plant installed and I thought it might have been you, but maybe it was just that you had trees cut down. I was wondering if anyone else had recently had a new system put in, and if so were you pleased with whatever make/type you had.
Oh goodness, I really didn’t enjoy that! Our kitchen now resembles a butchers shop with blood splashes up the walls, all over the worktop and my finger is throbbing! I thought they’d just want a little blob, like Mr A does for his diabetic tester - but no, you have to fill a small tube up to a first line, and preferably a higher line. The lancet you’re given jabs deep into your finger, then you have to direct the blood flow into the tube - not easy. Mr A managed to loose more on the worktop than in the tube. I had the stupid idea of swinging my arm around (like they suggested to do *before* the test) and managed to spray blood drops everywhere!!
It was a bit of a disaster but we think we will know how to do it better next time- if we can bear the thought! 😖. Just keep telling myself it’s all in the Interests of research 💉
Ooh, what a palaver! All our ONS blood tests have been done for us by the tester, using a needle into the vein. No mention of needing to DIY. We're due for our next monthly test soon; I hope we'll be sticking to the normal method of blood letting!
my apologies for failing so far to do my early memories. I'm rather overwhelmed by life at the moment. May I suggest you try another and return to me later ?
I gag too, Miriam. But somehow I manage to do the swab, and only one of my ONS tests has come back invalid. Youngest shoedweller is a pro at swabs, doesn't appear to have any gag reflex at all.
Janice - re septic tanks. No we haven’t had a new one put in, we had to have repairs because the original pipes leading to it were old fashioned clay ones, which had been cracked by tree roots over the years. We are having those replaced with plastic pipes which are apparently better. We have two brick- lined chambers, the water & waste flowing from one to the other , then, eventually, virtually clear water flows down channels into the surrounding land. We have just started adding a product called « Muck Munchers » which preserve the good bacteria you need to facilitate the breakdown of « sludge » and make the system work better. It’s just a sachet of some biochemical that you flush down the loo once a month. We avoid bleach and strong detergents because they kill off the good bacteria in the tanks.
Just before going to Dubai, our son had to have a new septic tank installed at his French home. We were there at the time and it was like an enormous grey round bottle with a spout at the top. A huge hole had to be excavated and the bottle craned into it, and pipes from the house were connected up. Not quite sure how that sort of system works. As far as I know, there have been no problems with it since installation.
My "big" bro-in- law, is also having his 2nd jab this afternoon. He reacted badly after his 1st, so will interested as to how he does, this time round.
For my memories I have gone for my earliest and a more recent most surreal memory.
My earliest clear memory is when I was just turned 3, it was the play group Christmas party. I was too scared to approach Father Christmas, and had be led up by another, more confident child. It was only many years later that my mother told me that it was my father who was dressed up that day. There is a saying that it is a wise child who knows their own father, not sure where that leaves me :)
My oddest memory is also Christmas. My mother and sister, who were both waiting for divorces to come through, and I went to my brother’s for Christmas, he was working in France at the time and in a relationship with the younger sister of a former au-pair who my mum kept in touch with. We went her family’s house for Christmas Eve dinner and a reasonable amount alcohol was consumed. As the youngest I was told to do the bible reading, I stood next to the tree which was lit with real candles and managed to set myself on fire, the flames were rapidly extinguished. Driving back to my brother’s we ran out of petrol on the Periphique ring road around Paris. We got picked up by the police and taken to the police station where we were plied with more drink, along with other assorted waifs and strays they picked up. Somewhere there is a rather grainy photo of an officer holding a breathalyser rather lower than usual and asking someone to blow into the tube ( this was 1983 ) and I persuaded one of the policemen to give me his lapel badge. I can’t remember how long it was before they took us back to the car with a jerrycan of petrol. An interesting experience.
I have just had a very interesting chat, with one of my lovely neighbours. This was to do with exams, and the lack off. He teaches 3 languages at GCSE level, but mostly at A level. It seems that "mock" exams will happen very soon, based on past papers. These will be then graded, along with normal work done in term time, by the teachers. These results will then determine the grade, as if a final exam had been taken. He was saying about the extra pressures - re the grading and deciding the marks, as basically doing the work of an external examiner. He also feels it is harsh and hard, to mark a student, who is well known, as a total stranger. I stopped chatting, so he could then go + get a well deserved, strong G+T!
Miriam, in reply to your question about my family - yes they are returning this summer. Daughter in law and the two boys will return in July and start to get their house shipshape after it has been empty for 6 months (tenants moved out early). Corrin will stay on in Dubai until August dealing with all the paperwork and burocracy involved in leaving their rented house, school, selling the car etc etc.
It is a lot more work for teachers. Katy tells me it varies in different places. It all has to be moderated in some shape or form. Sounds complicated but unavoidable in current circumstances.
Here I am second 💉 and so far no effects whatsoever therefore it’s 🤞🏼for tomorrow. By this time after the first jab I had an increased temperature and felt woozy. Will check in again tomorrow and hope that Janice does too and will be feeling ok!
Yes, good luck to you two, hope no side effects. My swollen and very itchy arm after my 2nd Pfizer jab lasted over a week and kept me awake at night. But it’s all OK again now. But now I have a very sore finger after that bungled blood letting yesterday! All in the name of research though 🙃
KP - I wrote a reply to your early memories piece saying how much I enjoyed hearing about your Christmasses, but it didn’t publish. I said how nice it was to her the Gendarmes were so ‘sympathique’ and helpful and that I was glad to hear you weren’t burned by those candles. Could have been quite nasty! A Christmas to remember!
Oh Archerphile I read of your blood letting last night what a “to do” it’s not funny really but you gave such an “interesting” account of it that I could see it running like a film in front of my 👀 On a serious note thank you both so much for all that you are doing in order to keep us all as safe as we can be in the future 🙏🏼 Yesterday I arrived early and was called before time but then once I was seated it was a good 15min wait to get the injection because (as before) the person working the computer was obviously new to it and needed help. However these things happen and I did not mind a bit everyone is doing such a sterling job and like us all I thanked them so much. I do dislike driving in Basingstoke area even with sat nav on my phone we still yet again misfired during the journey and all those B roundabouts with people ready to beep drivers ie me 🤣 We left home at 1.10pm and got back at 3.10pm. Have now done our 4 trips over and 4 trips back! Feeling a bit tired today so will take it easy - no one will notice the difference 😮 On Thursday we did a visit to Hinton Ampner will update on that over the weekend 🌺
Glad my second is done, and like you Lady R I am now going to take it easy. It was packed because they were doing first time injections as well as second, and I had to wait in a queue of cars for a while. First time round I had a thundering headache for the 2 days following, felt wiped out and, strangely, for a week completely lost my appetite (apparently that is a less common reaction but can happen). This time round I have a painful arm and feel tired but have no headache, and still have my appetite (pity!) I got up very late, daughter had brought me a cup of tea before she went off to work, and now I am going to sit in the sunshine , or I might potter around and put something in a prettier pot. I am very pleased because I managed to track down, from a rare fruit tree supplier, a crabapple tree called Geneva. A few weeks ago a friend who was born and brought up in Canada but has now been here for years was being very nostalgic about this particular tree. It is not an apple that can be eaten raw but the tree apparently has very pretty blossom and the apples are bigger than normal crabapples. Her mother used to harvest them and cook and puree and freeze enough to keep them in pies through the year. I think it was originally an old variety from Virginia, and she had never been able to find one. It is only small but will no doubt grow, and en route back from the jab I called in to the garden centre and bought a pretty pot for it to go in. It is for her birthday.
Yikes! Cleaned out my shed today and somehow from somewhere found a sloworm! Katy picked it up and it wriggled! It was in full sun on concrete and not happy so she put it in the shade. We think it settled under a plant pot. She tells me that as they eat slugs they are a big asset in the garden! I wonder whether he or she is the only one or do we have a family of them??!🪱
Ev - your sloworm may have come from your or a neighbours compost heap. When we were in Malmesbury we had lots in our garden. I had a post a few days ago from a wildlife trust aimed at educating about slow worms. Lucky you ! I haven't seen one for decades. And yes, very good for consuming slugs.
An, yes! My neighbour has a compost heap as she said she never has to put a food bin out! It’s only the second one I’ve ever seen. Luckily Katy knew about them from a time years ago when she did a NT holiday. You have to hold them firmly and never towards the tail end as like other lizards their tail can snap off. She also said generally they live in the shade under things like pots. It wriggled when she picked it up as they don’t like being handled but it was quickly deposited in our shady raised bed at the rear of the garden.
We had our first lunch out in the garden for this year. Joined by Gypsy and Dudley who loves sausages and naughtily had a few bits of our sausage rolls. I have always strictly observed not sharing our food with dogs but sadly have become soft in my old age! Buddy has spent most of the day basking in the warmth of the conservatory. I’m pleased have cleared out the shed, a task that has been begging to be done for weeks! I had a plastic coated clothes horse in there which kept falling on my head and suddenly saw a use for it. Have put it into the raised bed to support the tomato plants instead of having to make a cane framework. Hopefully it will work!
Wishing all those with second vaccination today, including my neighbour and an old friend, all the best. I seem to have been very fortunate in not suffering any side effects to speak of from the first and none from the second.
KP - your memories. In the years when I had a tree I always used ' live ' candles. I have a set of metal holders that clip on to the branch and have a red candle in each. I think I bought them from Habitat in the sixties. They were only ever alight when I was in the room though. Never left unattended.
Busy day in the sun-shine. My back border, has finally been dug over, and the newly bought herbaceous perennials, planted. I spent a couple of hours last night, looking at the colours and size as to height/width, and drew up a planting plan, accordingly. I will only know in a month or two, if my vision is as thought. There are still many areas, to "plonk" annuals in to give some extra focus. I am so dirty, need a bath + a hair wash, but waiting for an Amazon delivery, hopefully soon...
It's 5.45pm and I am stiil in very much need of my bath etc, as my awaited delivery is now late! At least I have watered in, my new plants, evening meal is now cooking... Oh Well - I will sleep well, even if am not as fragranced as I had hoped. 😲🤧 🙊
You can ask for your delivery to be left in a safe place ie shed etc there is. Suggested list or you can fill in at other. Deliveries go up to 10pm 😱 re your bath.....
It has arrived. I loved watching, via the website, where the deliveries were being dropped off. It was fascinating to watch. I think I was the last - aka the bargain basement 😆🤣.
KP very interesting memories. What surprised me was the police in Paris plying you all with more drink, then breathalysing people. Do you know what happened to the lapel badge?
Has anyone been watching the new series of the Great British Sewing Bee?. I have watched since the first series and would be very interested to hear what others think.
Only seen the first one so far AP will be catching up soon. I could have taken over from Claudia as sewing a button on is about my level 🤣 but I do admire people with talent. My friend does all sorts clothes, reupholstering sofas and chairs as well as growing capacious amounts of fruit and veg etc 😮What have you and others here made in your time?
I have although I watch it during the day because Jon doesn't like watching 'reality' shows. It's quite enjoyable but I didn't finish the last series. Loved it when Gary got the giggles in the first episode. It's not a patch on the Series 1 though. Interesting to make reality clothes though instead of Fancy Dress and Party frocks. I much prefer the real clothes one makes instead of design classics.
I grew up with a mother who made our clothes and so my sister and I followed on. My mother continued and increased her output throughout her life and took in tailoring as well. And my mother's legacy to her granddaughters was a top quality sewing machine to each of them. I stopped making many years ago, but my best efforts were shirts. My granddaughter is now doing fashion design at university and we were last week discussing me giving her a tutorial on buttonhole making.
I, like Jon, do not enjoy reality programmes but have dipped into the sewing bee from time to time. Not been particularly impressed.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first couple of series, it bought back lots of memories of my Mum and I making our own clothes, struggling with paper patterns, fitting garments on her mannequin, trying to perfect the hidden zip etc etc. And I learned a lot of new techniques and tips.
But since Claudia left and was replaced by Joe Lycett the programme has turned into a comedy show. Contestants seem to be chosen for their quirky personalities or outrageous dress sense rather than their sewing expertise. Some tasks are getting ridiculous and not the sort of thing most people would be interested in making. What a shame another interesting and instructional show has descended to such tripe!
P.S. I do actually like Joe Lycett and find him quite endearing and funny, but not as host of the Sewing Bee.
Mrs P I envy you your skill with the needle. My grandmother and sister were proficient needle women: I was fascinated with the patterns and loved to watch my sister laying out the paper and cutting out the various parts. We went to the same junior school and one teacher told me it was a pity I wasn’t more like my sister as she looked at my sweaty crumpled efforts. My sister made my dresses, smocked ones when I was little. She made her own tailored suit for her wedding which I have kept along with our mother’s wedding dress. I have suitcases of her paper patterns; I’m sure there must be plenty of people who would be able to use them - suggestions welcomed.
I envy my previous skills Soz - you don't know the half of it ! Soz
Yes, those paper patterns need to be passed on. There is a resurgence in dressmaking, to some extent due to the sewing bee programme. But also I think because life goes in circles. Plus of course the rising interest in sustainability particularly amongst the young. As well as my granddaughter doing fashion at Westminster, i know of another local young woman to me who is at Cheltenham doing fashion and her mother Is a maker.
Well that was simple Soz - Suggest you try - The Vintage Pattern Shop In your neck of the woods, Essex, online. I will also speak with my Granddaughter to ask her tutor.
I love the Sewing Bee, and have watched all the series, as am an ex sewer/dressmaker. Both my sisters are also "well into" it, so have many discussions about it. I haven't sewn for very many years. I prefer clothes with a slight stretch in them, so I can move how I want to. I just can't produce these. There is also the lack of shops to look, feel, have a choice, with materials. I am sure there are still some around, though. I got rid of all my old patterns, as the sizing is now so different and the styles were dated. I slowly, over a period of time, put them into the re-cycle bin, so not wasted. I remember as a new Pharmacist Manager, being complemented by my Area Boss, as to what I was wearing - and even asked where I had bought it, He was astounded, when I said that I had made it myself! It was a lovely waistcoat and skirt in a pale blue fabric, easily washable + ironed, with a simple white blouse. I have no incentive to start sewing ago, but I admire those who can, and do. Hence my interest in Sewing Bee.
PS I need to switch 2 plants around, which were put into garden yesterday...I knew I should have looked at my garden plan with my reading glasses on, instead of at arms length!
Mrs P I hope this gets through. I have just written a long piece - the main purpose was to thank you very much for the name of the vintage pattern shop. It’s a fascinating site and I will ring them tomorrow.
Archerphile - Hinton Ampner visit made last Thursday.
Arrival time booked online as required ours was for 2 -2.30pm and we were very surprised at the huge number of cars there! Usually we go in at another entrance and park in front of the house re disabled disc. Once through reception directed straight into the immediate entrance to the walled garden where one particular bed of tulips was absolutely stunning this was as well as a border of them and some surviving daffodils and the usual veg etc. After this we were able to walk more freely and could be unmasked but we and quite a few others choose not to do this.
I was disappointed that there were not (at least some) socially distanced tables outside to enjoy a cuppa and scone. The tearoom sensibly was only accessed from one side ( by the shop which was open by the way - mask required of course as in the takeaway cafe) and out other side but of course a queue and as no seating Mr R could not stand even with his crutches while I queued and then have nowhere to sit and partake so we could only manage 45 mins there in total but enjoyed it and got a few interesting photos.On the way out different which was different to entrance we found a seat in the shade for a few minutes opposite a large toperied hedge fantastic. Followed up by a ride around the countryside so all in all a pleasant afternoon.
Lanjan - April 19, 2021 at 7:44 PM
ReplyDeleteMrs P ,I think it is fine if neighbours offer to feed a cat whilst on holiday but two things occur to me.
It can be a worry for the neighbours though .
A pet cat may need companionship too as well as food
Percy misses his" master " so much that for several weeks I put Mr LJ's woollen jumper on a chair for Percy to sit on.
Now Percy has taken to sitting on my knee.
Poppy who likes her own company and rarely joined us has decided that she is going to keep me company at night .
Apart from visiting the bonding bench she keeps herself to herself the rest of the time.
At first she perched at the bottom of the bed but now she sits on the blanket chest over night but taps me between 6:30am and 7:00am each morning.
I hope Miriam thinks about my suggestion
I believe they the animal nurses at our Vet's do pet sitting too before and after work .
That could be another option for Miriam.
Miriam - April 19, 2021 at 8:03 PM
My problem is, my PussCat only responds to me. She is the original "scaredy cat". As soon as some-one comes into the house, she does a runner and hides for hours + hours.
When the window cleaner last came, she was in the lounge with me, On hearing the brush on the window, she disappeared. I found her, many hours later, still cowering in the wardrobe She does not react to any-one, but me. This is why, the cattery have spoken to me re her pining, not eating and not responding, in any way. She just curls up in her bed, sleeping on a jumper of mine with my scent, and becomes '
"comatose".
I have been given an alternative idea. This is an automatic feeder, loaded with the dry food, my cat eats. It is programmed to issue a set amount of food at set times.
It's worth looking into.
Lady R - April 19, 2021 at 8:40 PM
How long would you intend to be away Miriam? Because I think all the while you have your now much older puss you are not going to be able to have more than days out (if you are to retain peace of mind) maybe chance a night away....
Lady R - April 19, 2021 at 8:42 PM
Thoughts on the ⚽️ situation Lanjan 🤔
Lanjan - April 19, 2021 at 9:02 PM
Disgusted Lady R.
It is all about greed.
I can't see it happening.
I remember when footballers(we had three players of what was then the first Division living close to where I lived in the 1960s) were paid £20 a week!
Half time in the Leeds Liverpool match match which Percy and I have been watching
Poppy thinks it is rubbish.
OldWomanInAShoe - April 19, 2021 at 10:27 PM
Ah, Lanjan, you had the same trouble as me! I thought my comment hadn't posted so re-wrote it. Both replies stayed hidden until I typed 'load more'.
I think I could get on with Poppy, we seem to share the same attitude to football ; )
*** MY EARLY MEMORIES ***
ReplyDeleteMrsP, it's over to you... Enjoy!
Rumor has it that the cat in the video above has already formed a breakaway league where he gets 2 packets of Dreamies, 4 fishes and fresh ball of string EVERY DAY just for taking part...
ReplyDelete😺😸😹😻
DeleteHa ha, Pusic's a great goal scorer!
DeleteJust superb Gary 🤣
ReplyDeleteLJ as I posted yesterday Mr R is with you regarding the ⚽️ great to hear that Percy 🐈⬛ watched Liverpool with you 🤗 👏🏻
I think I've mentioned before that we are lucky enough to have several people that are delighted to look after our cat whenever we go away. Pi has known them all his life and he doesn't seem to mind. (Although he does go in a tiny little huff when he sees us packing suitcases!) We happily return the favour when they go away.
ReplyDeleteMiriam, in the heady days when we had visitors (!) did she ever get to know a frequent visitor, maybe your family? I just wondered whether she could bond with anyone else even if in a small way. Our boys love their dog walker and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they wait for her by the door. There again they are anybody’s given a bit of fuss! It is a good idea to socialise them with other people but recognise it can be difficult with timid animals.
DeleteShe hides away from every-one, even my lovely family.
DeleteSome have only ever seen her from a distance, if she was in the garden, at that time.
The only person she was happy with + responded to, was my late Dad..
Why do our pets, give us so many concerns + complications - It's because we love them.
People may remember the problem I had with looking after our neighbours cat(s) every time they went on holiday, which was several times a year.
ReplyDeleteAt first we didn’t mind too much, but after several years of assuming we would be willing to help at the drop of a hat I felt it was getting beyond a joke.
It eventually stopped when, very sadly, the cat we were looking after when they were on their third cruise of the year, was run over on the busy road outside our cottages.
We had the awful job of imparting the news and presenting them with the cats body when they arrived home next day.
I thought we were free of cat sitting duties until, a few months later they bought 2 very expensive pedigree Burmese kittens. We weren’t asked to look after them and I wouldn’t have accepted the responsibility. But when the next holiday came up we were asked if we’d mind taking the kittens down to the local chattery and picking them up two weeks later because the neighbours flights didn’t fit in with chattery opening times!
The chattering classes really have the nerve! Still, I hope the Burmese had some good chats with their fellow chatters!
DeleteI saw the mistake as soon as I’d posted, but thought it was too amusing to correct!
DeleteThank-you all for the cat ideas. I have appreciated reading them. She was with me in the sun-shine, whilst I was working in the front garden this morning..until a neighbour came for a catch-up.
ReplyDeleteShe is still hiding somewhere!
I have to say, my front garden is looking great (apart from the dying bulbs), esp. as I attacked the edges of the lawn, with an old bread knife. These are now crisp and straight.
I will be off to a garden centre soon, as need so many perennials/herbaceous plants, to re-do the back border.
I cannot believe that it is nearly a year, since that fence fire last year.
I now have basically, an empty flower bed and blank canvas. The plants which were affected, not burnt but just scorched, have not reappeared.
One has, a lovely purple Astillbe.
My wonderful "Bluebird Hibiscus", is not showing any sign of life, well just yet. It partially flowered last year after the event, so I am 🤞 it is just late this year.
DeleteA large shrub, or small tree, shrivelled purely to the heat created. I cut it well back last autumn, but only half is now growing new foliage. I will be out with a saw, to remove the "dead" part.
DeleteI am surprised, how my garden has been affected, one year on. I had hoped much more would have revived + re-juvinated, but sadly this is not happening.
DeleteThe other thing, I cannot get any sort of compensation for new planting costs, from the person whose was responsible. Remember he used a gas-fired "gun" to burn weeds off, put it away in the shed, but was obviously not "off". As such this gas canister exploded - the rest is now history.
Miriam...... if your cat hides from everyone, in my opinion you don't have a problem.
ReplyDeleteBecause.... if a neighbour popped in to put down food twice a day and your puss hides, puss would then return to eat the food when the person has gone.
In other words his hiding successfully prevents him from having to interact with anyone, and he gets his food in seclusion.
The important aspect being, he gets to stay in his own home.
One of my cats in the past, a stray from Camden Town, never became friendly, though was tolerant, towards me. Nobody else ever saw him, because he would always hide.
But when I went away and a neighbour came and fed him, he was never seen, but he did continue his meals.
It is the house he lives in and the smell of you and that house that is of utmost importance to him.
Great idea. THANKS.
DeleteThis could be well be the solution.
😸 😻 🤗
Gary....after your actor spotting at the weekend we now have Tom Cruise filming near us.
ReplyDeleteHaven’t invited him for tea yet....😁
Who did Gary see at the weekend ?
DeleteI must have missed that post.
I've seen my name is out of the hat Gary.
Will have a go as soon as I can.
Clare Foy and I forget the actors name now.
DeleteIt was Paul Bettany. Not quite as famous as Tom Cruise!
DeleteBut far dishier !
DeleteAnd probably a lot taller!!
Delete🤣
DeleteSorry, never heard of him!
DeleteOWIAS Has the train reached the terminus and I’ve missed it? Last week’s were a mixture, one easy, one I’m pretty sure of and the other I’m in two minds about. I’ve enjoyed the journey from a comfy sofa rather than a wet boat, mid Atlantic.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing Soz and have been reading through old posts to make sure I haven't missed it. I can only answer one at the moment.
DeleteI have heard of Tom Cruise but don't know what he looks like .
ReplyDeleteIs he titchy ,P tbY?
Never heard of Paul Bettany
Sat at the next table to Malcolm Mc Dowell at a pub in Scotland in the 1970s.
He’s about 5’6” I think.
DeleteOf course you’ve sat next to someone famous.....! Lol.
Come on Esscee.
ReplyDeleteSpill the beans.
I bet I will have heard of your uncles
My son was an apprentice footballer about 16 yrs ago now. He had to clean the football boots of the professionals too.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories of your Uncles, and that you are the proud owner, as to memoriabila, past onto you.
ReplyDeleteI love the red herring, as to the World Cup date. There wasn't one in 1959.. I wonder if there are a few red herrings, swimming around 🤣🤣 😆
I think I have sorted out, your many red herrings.
ReplyDeleteI am not saying any more than that.
I ordered last night (on-line), a sun lounger, which I have looked at, and finally decided it was exactly what I wanted.
ReplyDeleteThis was a pre-order, for deivery at the end of April, early May. After my credit card payment had gone through, the confirmation e-mail came through. A few hours later, another e-mail arrived, delivery not until mid June! I am so disappointed. I do understand why though, as this item is coming in from Italy, so with the Brexit + Covid problems, I have to accept + be patient.
Nothing more to contribute tonight, except my evening meal will be Mince + Mash.
ReplyDeleteOff to chop the onions - and so to create...
I forgot to add.
DeleteThe Repair Shop tonight, BBC1 at 8.00pm, has a magical moment. I saw a hint of this on Morning Live, this morning...I hope it is as predicted.
I misread your post. Sorry...😣
ReplyDeleteI have still joined the "dots to dots" together.
ReplyDeleteI know, I will never learn if my guess is correct, and rightly so.
I appreciate your secret, should be just that - A family Secret of yours.
At least you have so many wonderful memories, to enjoy both then + now. ⚽️
Met up with some friends this afternoon whom we haven't seen for months. Went for a walk then had a cuppa sitting on their patio which faces west overlooking the Cheshire plain. Good company and lovely scenery the only thing that could be better would be to meet up with family, will have to be patient on that one.
ReplyDeleteHmm I like a mystery. Now if he played for Lancashire and was capped in that particular match I think I may have cracked it, but my lips are sealed.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe station driver wishes to apologise for the delay to this service: the points were wrong on Monday and the stations got shunted into a siding by mistake.
ReplyDeleteThe final answers, drum roll please: 🥁🥁🥁🥁
37. In an East American fashion = Boston Manor
38. A gap comes into existence = Holborn
39. ‘I’m sorry, I haven’t a clue’ = Mornington Crescent
So, what were your final scores?
For now, the winner(s) will just need to bask in their glory online. But perhaps I'll be able to award a trophy when we're able to have an in-person meet-up again.
Thank you for this quiz, OWIAS! I did enjoy it! My score was 27.
ReplyDeleteOld Woman ,thank you very much for the quiz.
ReplyDeleteI did get the final three correct.
Had you allowed me to have a whole mark for St John's Wood rather than half a mark I would have had 100% but I have to say I was very competitive and refused to give up until I had got an answer.
I love cryptic quiz questions
Spicycushion, Kent play Lancashire today at Canterbury.
ReplyDeleteI missed that. Many's the time I quequed up at opening time at the gates for competitions!
DeleteLovely day here though.
Pity against Yorkshire though!
Have my hair done today! Going grey and hair screw up are no longer the fashion!
OWiaS : as I missed one week my final score is 36/36. Thank you - it was great fun. I do a lot of cryptic crosswords so enjoyed the ingenious lateral thinking.
ReplyDeleteOwias, final score 36/39,
ReplyDeletethink LanJan must be our worthy champion!
OWIAS I don’t know how I missed Boston Manor but I did - Maryland was my only connection to East coast. Final score 37/40. Good fun. I could play Mornington Crescent with authority now!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I try to do the Times General Knowledge. Questions every day -as do my younger son ,young friend (who will remain nameless !) her husband and their friend.
ReplyDelete90% of the time I hold the others up !
On one occasion I actually got the most correct answers.
In today's quiz one of the questions is "Which London Underground Station is the only one containing the letter "z" ?"
I have spent all morning trying to think of the answer (I do allow myself thinking time )
I have just come up with what I thought was the correct one.
Checked the answers
It was wrong!
Thank you Owias - 27.
ReplyDeleteWell done Lanjan.
28. Thank you owias!
DeleteThank you OWIAS. I enjoyed trying to find the answers. I think I must be the only one who hasn't kept a score probably because I'm not a competitive person.
DeleteYes thank you also from me. I now know a lot more about the London underground. I thought no 38 was clever. We might possibly have got about 15 🤣😣 but didn't really keep count either.
DeleteSpicycushion,do you know you can watch live streaming of the Match ?
ReplyDeleteThank you I will search now.
DeleteBUT hooray, hooray I have had my hair done, Coloured and tinted! Gosh I feel so much better!
Also booked up for two more appointents so as to get my hair done prior to the wedding! Now for a hat. Also not yet decided what colour to get. Maybe dusky purple, green, blue or just a rainbow of colours! Decisions, decisions!
I am spending this glorious afternoon indoors researching sewage treatment plants. 🤔 My brother has already addled his head doing it. Now that his fields below the houses are rented out our ancient Victorian system will apparently NOT DO according to the farmer now renting them. Admittedly it has been known to overflow a bit, and we had some torrential rain over winter. I thought a modern 2 compartment septic tank would do but because the old system will still be used as the soakaway that will NOT DO either. So it is going to have to be a full on treatment plant (expensive), and you wouldn't believe how many different types there are! and it has to be big enough for the two houses. Sigh. The Victorians were incredible builders. I have looked in the cess pit after times it has been emptied and it is so well made.
ReplyDeleteOh wonders, an excuse to abandon this, son and daughter in law have just materialised with picnic rug and food and are suggesting a little afternoon tea picnic up in the field above the house.
That sounds an idyllic picnic.
DeleteVictorian system = lead pipes?
DeleteNo it's okay Miriam, we have modern pipes now, and before that they were mainly iron. Some people did still have old lead pipes, and that caused health problems in 1988 when aluminium sulphate got tipped accidentally in to our water supply. As the aluminium broke down it became very acidic and stripped lead and copper from the pipes into the water supply. People knew very well, because they were feeling ill, that something was wrong but it was just as the privatisation of our water was about to go through and the powers to be tried to do a cover up job; but people are not daft.
DeleteLovely day today.
ReplyDeleteI started at a Retail Park that I like in Wales, (for the 1st time since December), 2nd stop a garden centre, and 3rd stop, a lovely B+M store (again not visited for ages).
I enjoyed my long mooch around, feeling no angst and just taking my time. I got what I wanted, a lovely 40th Wedding Anniversary card for Little Sis, for 10days time. Where has that time gone? A related memory - it was the day after the wedding, when it was realised that a photo of just Mum + Dad together, had not been taken. They the dressed up again, in all their wedding finerary again, so photos could be taken and before the Morning Suit had to be returned to Moss. Bros.There is no indication in the resulting photos, taken by family members, that this was the day after.
The garden centre was quiet, even on such a sunny day. I bought a load of new herbaceous perennials , nine in total, to be planted into my back border. Hopefully it will look like it was last, and in previous years.
I need to get my garden plant book out, to check heights + widths, so can decide what I plant +where + why.
Some lovely sunny days are now forecast, so it will be back out with the spade + fork, to continue the digging.
I also got the compost I wanted, ready for my planters, window box and hanging basket, for in a month's time.
I needed to talk to a lovely bloke, as I couldn't find any delphiniums, which I wanted. He led me to where they were, but there were only a few. He was saying that there is a big problem getting deliveries on items, already on order, as many delays.
I have noticed this is some shops, in that not as well stocked as expected.
You can now Wake-Up again - the verbal drivel has now ended...
Amazed and relieved to have arranged a hair appointment for next week. Drove over to shop to go in, in person, because the phone was constantly engaged.
ReplyDeleteAt first they said it would be several weeks but as I was standing there my stylist had a
cancellation over the phone for next Tuesday and I was offered it. Serendipity!
Brlliant News!
DeleteWhen I was out + about this morning, it was quite breezy, so on arriving home, I looked like the Wild Woman.
My countdown is 2 weeks..✂️✂️
My short layered hair has grown quite a lot, despite my trimming attempts and it now curls up at the bottom behind my ears.
DeleteI actually quite like it a bit longer so I don’t think I’ll go mad and have too much chopped off. Mostly I want the great thatch of frizzy hair at the back thinned down a bit.
Why has it gone frizzy in old age? It never used to be, but since I went grey the texture has changed completely.
Archerphile - Had mine done this morning! (See above!) Lovely feeling, absolutely top of the world!
ReplyDeleteMy hair appointment isn’t until may 4th. From being usually very short it has now got to nearly shoulder length. It has a mind of its own and is a bloody mess. Every time I leave the house I put a hat on!💇♀️👩🌾
ReplyDeleteHad my hair cut on Wednesday. At the beginning of lockdown I decided to let the colour grow out and go grey, I'm now about half way there and have no regrets so far, in fact I've found it quite liberating. The hairdresser said a lot of her clients were doing the same.
ReplyDeleteOff to the garden to do some watering. I've got a lot of frost damage this year now it's a battle to keep things going with no rain for ages, memories of last year!
I am also very "silver" now, as all my highlights grew out, in the first lockdown.
DeleteThis doesn't worry me at all + I just embrace this change, as it natural, after all.
There was also a hard frost here, this morning. Typical, the day after I turned the CH off!
My lockdown curls, are now just so awful. I, like Archerphile, have a short haircut, and can't wait to get it back to my normal short style again.
ReplyDeleteAt least I have not been tempted to trim it up, this time around, as I caused problems, by doing so previously.
The wait will be worth it.
Cheshire Cheese, and others in my area - be warned - as the forecast is predicting a temp. of -2C tonight, so another hard frost in the morning.
ReplyDeleteJust saying, in case need to prorect plants.
Morning everyone. Was it you Lady R who is, like me, having your second Astra Zeneca today? I have been a bit concerned about the talk of cerebral clots so am going to take a couple of aspirin today after the injection, and maybe tomorrow as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy St George's day!
DeleteJust looked it up and the official guidelines are that aspirin won't help, but I wonder how much they actually really know. We are in new territory with all of this.
DeleteYes Janice I am about to go in will report later. Thinking of you too 💉
DeleteWe are being visited by the ONS Covid tester again today. But this time, and from now on, we are asked to give a blood sample as well as swabs.
ReplyDeleteThis will carry on for at least another year as they want to see if our anti-bodies are raised after having both vaccine jabs, and if so, for how long they last.
The instructions for taking the blood sample, which we do ourselves, are quite amusing. Including ‘ wash you hands in warm water and swing your arm round in circles to get the blood flowing to your finger! Oh, and we have to do it sitting down in case we feel faint - all over a small drop of blood!
As far as Mr A is concerned this is all superfluous as he does at least 4 blood tests a day!
It is wonderful that they are doing this research and that you are taking part. I was one of a random sample asked to do a covid test, but only had to do the one.
DeleteCan I ask Archerfile, some time in the past I am sure someone mentioned having a new septic tank or treatment plant installed and I thought it might have been you, but maybe it was just that you had trees cut down. I was wondering if anyone else had recently had a new system put in, and if so were you pleased with whatever make/type you had.
Oh goodness, I really didn’t enjoy that! Our kitchen now resembles a butchers shop with blood splashes up the walls, all over the worktop and my finger is throbbing!
DeleteI thought they’d just want a little blob, like Mr A does for his diabetic tester - but no, you have to fill a small tube up to a first line, and preferably a higher line.
The lancet you’re given jabs deep into your finger, then you have to direct the blood flow into the tube - not easy.
Mr A managed to loose more on the worktop than in the tube. I had the stupid idea of swinging my arm around (like they suggested to do *before* the test) and managed to spray blood drops everywhere!!
It was a bit of a disaster but we think we will know how to do it better next time- if we can bear the thought! 😖. Just keep telling myself it’s all in the Interests of research 💉
Ooh, what a palaver! All our ONS blood tests have been done for us by the tester, using a needle into the vein. No mention of needing to DIY. We're due for our next monthly test soon; I hope we'll be sticking to the normal method of blood letting!
DeleteGary -
ReplyDeletemy apologies for failing so far to do my early memories.
I'm rather overwhelmed by life at the moment.
May I suggest you try another and return to me later ?
No problem at all MrsP - hope things calm down for you!
Delete*** MY EARLY MEMORIES ***
ReplyDeleteKP, are you good to go? If you are, then enjoy...!
Well done Archerphile, for taking part in this research situation. It is persons like you + Mr.A, who will give great and necessary, information.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure that I could do a covid test, as I have an awful gag reflex. But if it was really necessary, I would do one obviously and instantly.
I gag too, Miriam. But somehow I manage to do the swab, and only one of my ONS tests has come back invalid. Youngest shoedweller is a pro at swabs, doesn't appear to have any gag reflex at all.
DeleteJanice - re septic tanks.
ReplyDeleteNo we haven’t had a new one put in, we had to have repairs because the original pipes leading to it were old fashioned clay ones, which had been cracked by tree roots over the years. We are having those replaced with plastic pipes which are apparently better.
We have two brick- lined chambers, the water & waste flowing from one to the other , then, eventually, virtually clear water flows down channels into the surrounding land.
We have just started adding a product called « Muck Munchers » which preserve the good bacteria you need to facilitate the breakdown of « sludge » and make the system work better. It’s just a sachet of some biochemical that you flush down the loo once a month.
We avoid bleach and strong detergents because they kill off the good bacteria in the tanks.
Just before going to Dubai, our son had to have a new septic tank installed at his French home.
We were there at the time and it was like an enormous grey round bottle with a spout at the top.
A huge hole had to be excavated and the bottle craned into it, and pipes from the house were connected up. Not quite sure how that sort of system works.
As far as I know, there have been no problems with it since installation.
Thanks. Muck Munchers sound useful.
DeleteMy "big" bro-in- law, is also having his 2nd jab this afternoon. He reacted badly after his 1st, so will interested as to how he does, this time round.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck All 💉
Archerphile. Are your family returning to France from Dubai this summer, as planned?
ReplyDeleteI hope so.
PS The Beluga XL, is the only plane which now, flies over.
DeleteAs Janice said - Happy St. George's Day!!
ReplyDeleteFor my memories I have gone for my earliest and a more recent most surreal memory.
ReplyDeleteMy earliest clear memory is when I was just turned 3, it was the play group Christmas party. I was too scared to approach Father Christmas, and had be led up by another, more confident child. It was only many years later that my mother told me that it was my father who was dressed up that day. There is a saying that it is a wise child who knows their own father, not sure where that leaves me :)
My oddest memory is also Christmas. My mother and sister, who were both waiting for divorces to come through, and I went to my brother’s for Christmas, he was working in France at the time and in a relationship with the younger sister of a former au-pair who my mum kept in touch with. We went her family’s house for Christmas Eve dinner and a reasonable amount alcohol was consumed. As the youngest I was told to do the bible reading, I stood next to the tree which was lit with real candles and managed to set myself on fire, the flames were rapidly extinguished. Driving back to my brother’s we ran out of petrol on the Periphique ring road around Paris. We got picked up by the police and taken to the police station where we were plied with more drink, along with other assorted waifs and strays they picked up. Somewhere there is a rather grainy photo of an officer holding a breathalyser rather lower than usual and asking someone to blow into the tube ( this was 1983 ) and I persuaded one of the policemen to give me his lapel badge. I can’t remember how long it was before they took us back to the car with a jerrycan of petrol. An interesting experience.
Those are great memories.
DeleteThanks, as my imagination has now gone into "over drive" 🤣🤣
I have just had a very interesting chat, with one of my lovely neighbours.
ReplyDeleteThis was to do with exams, and the lack off. He teaches 3 languages at GCSE level, but mostly at A level.
It seems that "mock" exams will happen very soon, based on past papers. These will be then graded, along with normal work done in term time, by the teachers. These results will then determine the grade, as if a final exam had been taken. He was saying about the extra pressures - re the grading and deciding the marks, as basically doing the work of an external examiner. He also feels it is harsh and hard, to mark a student, who is well known, as a total stranger.
I stopped chatting, so he could then go + get a well deserved, strong G+T!
This is how, I understood the current situation in school education, be it right or not. I can only go by what I talked about.
DeleteMiriam, in reply to your question about my family - yes they are returning this summer. Daughter in law and the two boys will return in July and start to get their house shipshape after it has been empty for 6 months (tenants moved out early). Corrin will stay on in Dubai until August dealing with all the paperwork and burocracy involved in leaving their rented house, school, selling the car etc etc.
DeleteIt is a lot more work for teachers. Katy tells me it varies in different places. It all has to be moderated in some shape or form. Sounds complicated but unavoidable in current circumstances.
DeleteHere I am second 💉 and so far no effects whatsoever therefore it’s 🤞🏼for tomorrow. By this time after the first jab I had an increased temperature and felt woozy.
ReplyDeleteWill check in again tomorrow and hope that Janice does too and will be feeling ok!
Yes, good luck to you two, hope no side effects. My swollen and very itchy arm after my 2nd Pfizer jab lasted over a week and kept me awake at night. But it’s all OK again now. But now I have a very sore finger after that bungled blood letting yesterday! All in the name of research though 🙃
ReplyDeleteKP - I wrote a reply to your early memories piece saying how much I enjoyed hearing about your Christmasses, but it didn’t publish. I said how nice it was to her the Gendarmes were so ‘sympathique’ and helpful and that I was glad to hear you weren’t burned by those candles.
ReplyDeleteCould have been quite nasty! A Christmas to remember!
You speak for me too AP.
DeleteOh Archerphile I read of your blood letting last night what a “to do” it’s not funny really but you gave such an “interesting” account of it that I could see it running like a film in front of my 👀
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note thank you both so much for all that you are doing in order to keep us all as safe as we can be in the future 🙏🏼
Yesterday I arrived early and was called before time but then once I was seated it was a good 15min wait to get the injection because (as before) the person working the computer was obviously new to it and needed help. However these things happen and I did not mind a bit everyone is doing such a sterling job and like us all I thanked them so much.
I do dislike driving in Basingstoke area even with sat nav on my phone we still yet again misfired during the journey and all those B roundabouts with people ready to beep drivers ie me 🤣
We left home at 1.10pm and got back at 3.10pm. Have now done our 4 trips over and 4 trips back!
Feeling a bit tired today so will take it easy - no one will notice the difference 😮 On Thursday we did a visit to Hinton Ampner will update on that over the weekend 🌺
Glad my second is done, and like you Lady R I am now going to take it easy. It was packed because they were doing first time injections as well as second, and I had to wait in a queue of cars for a while. First time round I had a thundering headache for the 2 days following, felt wiped out and, strangely, for a week completely lost my appetite (apparently that is a less common reaction but can happen). This time round I have a painful arm and feel tired but have no headache, and still have my appetite (pity!) I got up very late, daughter had brought me a cup of tea before she went off to work, and now I am going to sit in the sunshine , or I might potter around and put something in a prettier pot.
ReplyDeleteI am very pleased because I managed to track down, from a rare fruit tree supplier, a crabapple tree called Geneva. A few weeks ago a friend who was born and brought up in Canada but has now been here for years was being very nostalgic about this particular tree. It is not an apple that can be eaten raw but the tree apparently has very pretty blossom and the apples are bigger than normal crabapples. Her mother used to harvest them and cook and puree and freeze enough to keep them in pies through the year. I think it was originally an old variety from Virginia, and she had never been able to find one. It is only small but will no doubt grow, and en route back from the jab I called in to the garden centre and bought a pretty pot for it to go in. It is for her birthday.
KP the tree with real candles sounds magical. You certainly set the party on fire!
ReplyDeleteMiriam I am hoping your brother in law's side effects were not so severe this time.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Cleaned out my shed today and somehow from somewhere found a sloworm! Katy picked it up and it wriggled! It was in full sun on concrete and not happy so she put it in the shade. We think it settled under a plant pot. She tells me that as they eat slugs they are a big asset in the garden! I wonder whether he or she is the only one or do we have a family of them??!🪱
ReplyDeleteEv -
Deleteyour sloworm may have come from your or a neighbours compost heap.
When we were in Malmesbury we had lots in our garden.
I had a post a few days ago from a wildlife trust aimed at educating about slow worms.
Lucky you ! I haven't seen one for decades.
And yes, very good for consuming slugs.
An, yes! My neighbour has a compost heap as she said she never has to put a food bin out! It’s only the second one I’ve ever seen. Luckily Katy knew about them from a time years ago when she did a NT holiday. You have to hold them firmly and never towards the tail end as like other lizards their tail can snap off. She also said generally they live in the shade under things like pots. It wriggled when she picked it up as they don’t like being handled but it was quickly deposited in our shady raised bed at the rear of the garden.
DeleteWe had our first lunch out in the garden for this year. Joined by Gypsy and Dudley who loves sausages and naughtily had a few bits of our sausage rolls. I have always strictly observed not sharing our food with dogs but sadly have become soft in my old age! Buddy has spent most of the day basking in the warmth of the conservatory. I’m pleased have cleared out the shed, a task that has been begging to be done for weeks! I had a plastic coated clothes horse in there which kept falling on my head and suddenly saw a use for it. Have put it into the raised bed to support the tomato plants instead of having to make a cane framework. Hopefully it will work!
Wishing all those with second vaccination today, including my neighbour and an old friend, all the best.
ReplyDeleteI seem to have been very fortunate in not suffering any side effects to speak of from the first and none from the second.
KP - your memories.
In the years when I had a tree I always used ' live ' candles.
I have a set of metal holders that clip on to the branch and have a red candle in each.
I think I bought them from Habitat in the sixties.
They were only ever alight when I was in the room though. Never left unattended.
Your memory must be seared !
Busy day in the sun-shine.
ReplyDeleteMy back border, has finally been dug over, and the newly bought herbaceous perennials, planted. I spent a couple of hours last night, looking at the colours and size as to height/width, and drew up a planting plan, accordingly.
I will only know in a month or two, if my vision is as thought.
There are still many areas, to "plonk" annuals in to give some extra focus. I am so dirty, need a bath + a hair wash, but waiting for an Amazon delivery, hopefully soon...
It's 5.45pm and I am stiil in very much need of my bath etc, as my awaited delivery is now late!
DeleteAt least I have watered in, my new plants, evening meal is now cooking...
Oh Well - I will sleep well, even if am not as fragranced as I had hoped. 😲🤧 🙊
This sadly is another problem, for some-one living alone. It is the waiting and not knowing, if can go off and do, what is so needed.😁
DeleteDon't worry about it, Miriam, they'll simply dump it by your front door and say you were out!
DeleteYou can ask for your delivery to be left in a safe place ie shed etc there is. Suggested list or you can fill in at other. Deliveries go up to 10pm 😱 re your bath.....
DeleteIt has arrived. I loved watching, via the website, where the deliveries were being dropped off. It was fascinating to watch.
DeleteI think I was the last - aka the bargain basement 😆🤣.
😯 🚛 👏🏻
DeleteKP very interesting memories. What surprised me was the police in Paris plying you all with more drink, then breathalysing people. Do you know what happened to the lapel badge?
ReplyDeleteHas anyone been watching the new series of the Great British Sewing Bee?.
ReplyDeleteI have watched since the first series and would be very interested to hear what others think.
Only seen the first one so far AP will be catching up soon. I could have taken over from Claudia as sewing a button on is about my level 🤣 but I do admire people with talent. My friend does all sorts clothes, reupholstering sofas and chairs as well as growing capacious amounts of fruit and veg etc 😮What have you and others here made in your time?
DeleteI have although I watch it during the day because Jon doesn't like watching 'reality' shows.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite enjoyable but I didn't finish the last series. Loved it when Gary got the giggles in the first episode.
It's not a patch on the Series 1 though.
Interesting to make reality clothes though instead of Fancy Dress and Party frocks. I much prefer the real clothes one makes instead of design classics.
I grew up with a mother who made our clothes and so my sister and I followed on.
ReplyDeleteMy mother continued and increased her output throughout her life and took in tailoring as well. And my mother's legacy to her granddaughters was a top quality sewing machine to each of them.
I stopped making many years ago, but my best efforts were shirts.
My granddaughter is now doing fashion design at university and we were last week discussing me giving her a tutorial on buttonhole making.
I, like Jon, do not enjoy reality programmes but have dipped into the sewing bee from time to time.
Not been particularly impressed.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first couple of series, it bought back lots of memories of my Mum and I making our own clothes, struggling with paper patterns, fitting garments on her mannequin, trying to perfect the hidden zip etc etc. And I learned a lot of new techniques and tips.
ReplyDeleteBut since Claudia left and was replaced by Joe Lycett the programme has turned into a comedy show. Contestants seem to be chosen for their quirky personalities or outrageous dress sense rather than their sewing expertise.
Some tasks are getting ridiculous and not the sort of thing most people would be interested in making. What a shame another interesting and instructional show has descended to such tripe!
P.S. I do actually like Joe Lycett and find him quite endearing and funny, but not as host of the Sewing Bee.
Ah maybe I won’t follow up!
DeleteMrs P I envy you your skill with the needle. My grandmother and sister were proficient needle women: I was fascinated with the patterns and loved to watch my sister laying out the paper and cutting out the various parts. We went to the same junior school and one teacher told me it was a pity I wasn’t more like my sister as she looked at my sweaty crumpled efforts.
ReplyDeleteMy sister made my dresses, smocked ones when I was little. She made her own tailored suit for her wedding which I have kept along with our mother’s wedding dress. I have suitcases of her paper patterns; I’m sure there must be plenty of people who would be able to use them - suggestions welcomed.
I envy my previous skills Soz - you don't know the half of it !
DeleteSoz
Yes, those paper patterns need to be passed on.
There is a resurgence in dressmaking, to some extent due to the sewing bee programme. But also I think because life goes in circles. Plus of course the rising interest in sustainability particularly amongst the young.
As well as my granddaughter doing fashion at Westminster, i know of another local young woman to me who is at Cheltenham doing fashion and her mother Is a maker.
I will do some research for you and let you know.
Well that was simple Soz -
DeleteSuggest you try - The Vintage Pattern Shop
In your neck of the woods, Essex, online.
I will also speak with my Granddaughter to ask her tutor.
I too had the comments you had from your sewing teacher Soz 🤣
DeleteI love the Sewing Bee, and have watched all the series, as am an ex sewer/dressmaker.
ReplyDeleteBoth my sisters are also "well into" it, so have many discussions about it.
I haven't sewn for very many years. I prefer clothes with a slight stretch in them, so I can move how I want to. I just can't produce these. There is also the lack of shops to look, feel, have a choice, with materials. I am sure there are still some around, though.
I got rid of all my old patterns, as the sizing is now so different and the styles were dated. I slowly, over a period of time, put them into the re-cycle bin, so not wasted.
I remember as a new Pharmacist Manager, being complemented by my Area Boss, as to what I was wearing - and even asked where I had bought it, He was astounded, when I said that I had made it myself! It was a lovely waistcoat and skirt in a pale blue fabric, easily washable + ironed, with a simple white blouse.
I have no incentive to start sewing ago, but I admire those who can, and do. Hence my interest in Sewing Bee.
PS I need to switch 2 plants around, which were put into garden yesterday...I knew I should have looked at my garden plan with my reading glasses on, instead of at arms length!
Mrs P I hope this gets through. I have just written a long piece - the main purpose was to thank you very much for the name of the vintage pattern shop. It’s a fascinating site and I will ring them tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGood !
DeleteHope they find your stuff of interest and want to buy.
Archerphile - Hinton Ampner visit made last Thursday.
ReplyDeleteArrival time booked online as required ours was for 2 -2.30pm and we were very surprised at the huge number of cars there! Usually we go in at another entrance and park in front of the house re disabled disc. Once through reception directed straight into the immediate entrance to the walled garden where one particular bed of tulips was absolutely stunning this was as well as a border of them and some surviving daffodils and the usual veg etc. After this we were able to walk more freely and could be unmasked but we and quite a few others choose not to do this.
I was disappointed that there were not (at least some) socially distanced tables outside to enjoy a cuppa and scone. The tearoom sensibly was only accessed from one side ( by the shop which was open by the way - mask required of course as in the takeaway cafe) and out other side but of course a queue and as no seating Mr R could not stand even with his crutches while I queued and then have nowhere to sit and partake so we could only manage 45 mins there in total but enjoyed it and got a few interesting photos.On the way out different which was different to entrance we found a seat in the shade for a few minutes opposite a large toperied hedge fantastic. Followed up by a ride around the countryside so all in all a pleasant afternoon.