EnZed - April 7, 2022 at 1:49 AM This is a great site to find good stuff to listen to. I don't have a TV but love radio. Apart from TA I don't listen to very much on Radio 4 as I prefer old stuff on Radio4e. I've just found 'Waterloo Station' (thanks Archerphile) and listened to the first 5 minutes. Will get back to it soon.
Change of subject - our baby albatross is a wee female. She is also the grubbiest baby albie we've ever had. I'm still wasting all my time drooling over her.
Archerphile - April 7, 2022 at 9:42 AM It’s so interesting to hear about your life in NZ, EnZed! So different to ours. We might find ourselves nurturing an abandoned kitten or baby hedgehog, but the thought of a baby albatross is quite amazing! Will you be able to return her to the wild eventually?
EnZed - April 7, 2022 at 10:03 AM She isn't exactly mine. She is part of our local albatross colony on Taiaroa Head just outside of Dunedin in the South Island. It is the only land-based albie colony in the world and is looked after by DOC (Dept of Conservation) who have a whole team of rangers dedicated to their welfare. The colony began several decades ago, we think by accident, but it is now a thriving community of totally wild albatross who come here every year to breed. The rangers watch over all the nests but one is chosen each year to be the star of the colony by having a 24 hour live camera feed courtesy of Cornell Lab in the States. If you google Royal Cam you will be able to see it all for yourself.
They are the most amazing birds and so beautiful. People from all over the world follow our royal pair and many leave comments. Please do have a look, but beware. You may end up like me - hooked. If you do check in, it's free for everyone and no need to register to watch, look way across the harbour to the hills on the far side. That's where I live. Half an hour drive from Dunedin City and then another half an hour out to the colony.
Back from Durham safe and sound. It was bloomin' fantastic, but exhausting. (Anneveggie - if you DO decide to visit, I would recommend your comfiest walking boots. The city is on 3 levels and there is a LOT of stairs and hills to climb up and down!)
The cathedral is stunning. Even dragged myself the 650 steps up to the top of the tower. (No idea what the view is like though, because I got my usual attack of the collywobbles and sat on the ground looking at a wall instead of soaking up the sights...) Pbty - sadly there was no Lego model and we decided not to go for any drinkies because we were too bloody exhausted. Did the castle too. Didn't realise that it's actually a working college of the University and students actually live there. Lucky them.
Speaking of students, there is a beautiful/ugly (depends on your point of view!) concrete Brutalist building called Dunelm House beside the river that was the Students Union. Looks like they are restoring it but opinion seems to be divided as to whether they should just knock it down. I loved it.
Mistral, we went to Vennels and it was fantastic. Went twice. Thanks for the tip!
Our eldest daughter had an offer of a place at that college of Durham university. She went to a different university in the end and we still haven't visited Durham, must do so sometime.
Gary, glad you liked Vennels, easily missed but so worth it. My small terrier picked a fight with a great dane in the courtyard once, tables sent flying, heaters wobbled etc, so she was banned! Luckily I was not.
NZ, I logged on and saw two blades of grass waving about. I will look again before I go to bed, when it should be daylight. What a beautiful area you live in.
What is it with terriers? Our Buddy is mostly terrier and likes to challenge dogs 10 times his size. He doesn’t get into a fight but the big dog usually backs away. Dudley and Buddy look out for each other and once, when a Great Dane was too full on with Buddy, Dudley bit the big one on his nose! Dudley is a small sized Shih Tzu. Luckily the owner didn’t take offence but said the big boy deserved it!
My daughter went to Durham. It was a long way from where I lived at the time - the south coast - might have been the attraction!!! Anyway, I did make the journey a few times but what annoyed me was wealthy students’ parents buying up property for their little darlings to live in for 3 years. I felt sorry for the locals. The river reminds me that my daughter tried her hand at coxing but for a brief time only; under her guidance, the crew managed to hit the banks regularly. What I do remember clearly is her graduation; she was awarded her degree by Dame Margot Fonteyn - a tiny frail figure yet with such poise and presence. Her address to the students was inspiring too. I could not take my eyes off this dignified lady who was obviously unwell - I believe she died later that year.
Mistral, if you check out the comments on the Royal Cam discussion page there are lots of short video clips you can browse. I do that a lot because so much of the live camera feed is just our baby sitting on her nest waiting for mum or dad to come in and feed her.
Yes, I'm very fortunate to live where I do. I still find it odd that I lived and worked in London, one of the busiest places in the world, and have settled happily into a small NZ township where very little happens from one year to the next. Don't know what I'll do, though, if I lose the ability to drive. It's a 1/2 hour walk to the bus stop!
Lovely fluffy little young ones. I had no idea the eggs take so long to hatch and how long the parents go on feeding them. No wonder they only nest every other year. It seemed quite sad to me that in September the parents can return to the nest only to find their nestling has fledged and flown without them seeing it go.
It's really sad for me, too. I always have a bit of a weep when the baby fledges. Sometimes we're lucky and the first flight is captured on camera. When it is I watch it several times, wiping the tears away as I do, but very soon after the last chick goes the breeding pairs are back again and by mid January we have another baby albie to coo over.
Durham sounds amazing. This is somewhere I no nothing about, but is on now firmly on my list of places to visit. Sadly this list is getting longer, due to my Puss Cat and her ongoing problems...🙀
This is perhaps not the right page as to my thoughts as to the albatross chicks name, as they are all Archers related. This is a crossover, as are relating to the albatross chick, to have an Archers name. As the sex is unknown, I give my relevant thoughts. Monty - Linda's Dobbermon. Peppa Pig - a texel ram named by Poppy Biff, Meg, Tiggs - dogs in Ambridge in recent years and owned by many This is not forgetting Portia - Mrs Antrobus's Afghan Hound, along with Peppermint - Alices horse. Sorry, my mind has just gone into overdrive, yet again 😰
What sort of terrier have you got, Mistral? Buddy is one third Maltese with Jack Russell and Yorkshire mixed in. There is also a small portion of Llasa Apso and Shih Tzu. Katy had him DNA tested! Dudley is pure Shih Tzu which means he is a little princeling. Gypsy was a princess. I agree terriers are a lot of fun. Shih Tzus are just semi detached from humans but real characters! DNA testing has proved they are very close to wolves. Explains a lot! 😊🐾🐾
Ah, they are all one step away from wolfiness Ev! When my son was having carpets fitted, his front door was open and a shi-tzu just walked in off the strreet and jumped on his knee without a second thought, as if he belonged there. Son had to go to work, so phoned me, I walked around the neighbourhood for a while with 'Fluffy' before I headed to the vet, who knew her, and phoned the owner. I waited until the poor woman arrived, very upset, she thought the dog was in the bedroom with her sick husband, he thought she was in the kitchen with his wife. She thought the dog must have got out of the bedroom window onto the garage roof. They lived about two streets away. My dog is pure Jack Russell and looks exactly like the Dogs Trust logo. She is thirteen now and very warty and slow, but was such a live wire when younger. More seriously, I have been saddened recently by the never ending stupidity of people leaving small children alone with dogs and the ensuing tragedies. I think the government should bring back dog licences.
Yes, there is no doubt that some dogs are aggressive but very often children can make a sudden move and the dog interprets it wrongly. I would never leave either of ours or any other dog on their own with a child. It is very irresponsible. In the latter days of dog licences it was costing more to administer them than was coming in as the cost had never gone up. I agree it could deter some from getting a dog but normally a dog including rescues can mean parting with a good sum. I met a man the other day who had a lovely 14 year old Yorkie. It had been rehomed to him from Friends of the Animals. The previous owner, a lady, had been out all day every day working and only took the dog for a walk once a week on a Sunday. All is well now for this little dog as she is well looked after and gets a daily walk. Many people think small dogs don’t need walks but they do need the stimulation and the ability to have a good sniff around! People who don’t take the welfare of the dog into account are another group who need to be deterred from having a dog!
I’m not surprised that Shih Tzu felt he belonged there, Mistral! They are very entitled little dogs! Dudley barks regally to be let out and to come back in and gets extremely cross if we don’t tend to his needs very promptly! The Jack Russell in Buddy comes out regularly! They are real characters!
Warning, more dog talk! Mistral, re the owners of the Shih Tzu thinking she was safe at home, we thought so too when a neighbour knocked the door carrying Buddy. She had found him in the road ( we live in a quiet cul de sac). The only way he could have got out was through the bedroom window and although we are in a bungalow it is on a slope and the sill is about 5 feet above the ground. Buddy likes to chase flies and we think he launched himself at one from the bed and misjudged, flying through the window. We couldn’t understand how he had not hurt himself with such a leap for a small dog. Needless to say the big windows are now kept firmly locked !
Ev. I hadn't realised that your lovely home is a bungalow. As a singleton, I couldn't contemplate living in one, as I just wouldn't feel safe or secure. This is that in the summer, I always have a window open all night.
We have a top flap window so that usually suffices but the main window could be opened at night with curtains drawn. The bedrooms are both at the front and as I said they are quite high because of the lie of the land. I wouldn’t like to go back to a house with stairs, more cleaning and so nice not to climb upstairs to bed!
It's strange isn't it as to what we all prefer. Bedtime for me, is going up the stairs to the haven of my bedroom where I look out of the window, to see what is going on outside. My binoculars are never far away..yes I am nosey 👀🤣🙎♀️
So, the papers + news sites are now causing panic buying on an item, yet again. This time it is Sunflower Oil. I believe the reason given, is that the main producers are in Ukraine + Russia. This gives the question - why not in other places where sunflowers grow in pure abundance 🌻🌻 Besides that, there are so many other suitable cooking oils available such as rapeseed, which give no different outcome as to cooking.
I feel so silly tonight, as I have only just realised that is Easter next weekend. What a plonker I am. This came about as to an invite to an Easter Sunday family meal received today, which I so gratefully accepted. 🐣🐥🐇
My last thoughts, ponderings, ruminations or whatever these should be called, is to ackowledge the person who mentioned "Hazel" as a detective in a series I have now listened to all the 4 episodes (DI Gwen Brandbury). I enjoyed these, so Thanks to whoever mentioned it, with apologies that I haven't found their name. 😭
I love the music that introduces this series. When it was first broadcast some years ago, I wrote to the BBC asking what the music was as I wanted to download it to my MP3 player. But apparently it was specially written for the series and cannot be found online. Shame.
I continue to have problems with posting and the frustration leads me to stop bothering but I do read both blogs daily. The sale of my cottage continues and I have an offer of a ground floor flat with garden in Minehead in the early stages of purchase. However in the last few days another property in Ilminster that I had a strong interest in has dropped the price significantly which has brought it back into my focus and caused considerable turmoil within me. The two properties are as different as chalk and cheese as are the two towns, both appealing to different aspects of my needs and desires.
I have been wondering how Mistral is doing in her house search. Do let us know, please.
I am doing very well at Wordle and enjoying the challenge. But there are days when I havnt a clue.
Hello Mrs. P. I'm glad that your plans are progressing. I am going very slowly, had 4 valuations and chosen my estate agent, and am now about to start decorating, all the refurbishment is complete apart from a couple of kitchen cupboards, but I'm not in a big hurry, and in fact have done almost nothing since Christmas, but am starting to feel a little bit more energised with the warmer weather. All the properties in my price bracket in the South West look like hard work to me, I had thought that selling my nice house up here and down-sizing down there would allow me to get a decent small bungelow, but I havent found anything, and to be honest it is just depressing. I have an odd health condition post Covid, and am coming to the conclusion that a 'Retirement' property is as good as it will get, because I want this to be my final move, don't want to move somewhere I can't manage and have to do it all again in a few years time, so am trying to future-proof my options, e.g bus routes, decent hospital, handy shops etc. However, as I am proceeding slower than a snail, it is academic at the moment. I believe that things happen when the time is right, and it doesn't seem to be just now, but it will happen at some point, I certainly dont want another winter in this house. Places in my village are selling within days, often over the asking price apparently, so I'm not at all stressed about it, and my family have the grace and good sense to leave me be and sort things out in my own time. They are tired of me trying to foist 'things' off onto them, but a couple of friends have put in requests for furniture, and I have sold a few bits too, I am gleeful every time I get rid of something as it is less to worry about. I have had a sleepless night worrying about not having room for a dishwasher, real first world problems up here!! I will keep you updated as and when...... I dont know Minehead or Ilminster at all, I am planning on East Devon.
All the best with your house purchase Mrs P. I think the only way to choose between the two properties is to write down your main priorities and see which comes out as the better choice. I attempt Wordle and Nerdle each day . So far ,so good. Mistral ,do you really need a dishwasher? I have never had one and now that I live alone it would be pointless getting one.
We have a slimline dishwasher which takes about 8 place settings. Once you have one it is difficult to live without. It takes care of most things and sterilises everything too. It would fit in better than a full size one, Mistral and getting a new one would update the energy and water required. We run ours on a long but economical eco wash.
I had a run of 29 successful Wordles and now up to 11 hoping to beat that. I can’t make a run of more than 4 on quordle though! Being American sourced you have to watch out for their spellings too!
Mrs P and Mistral, good luck with your house search. You rarely get to tick all the boxes. I would have liked 3 bedrooms but this bungalow fulfilled my other requirements having big rooms with lots of light and a spacious conservatory. It is also near to amenities and on a good bus route! It never is easy but hope you have success in the end!
Ah, the dishwasher debate.... No, Lanjan, I dont need one, but having tried both ways I prefer the machine, it gets things cleaner than I can, and like Ev, I like the sterilising factor. One Christmas both the dishwasher and washing machine broke at the same time, it was the dishwasher that I replaced first. Like Ev said, you don't want to stop once you've started, and I just don't like manual work!! Now I am about to go and paint some walls, which is something I do like :)
I'm with you Mistral over the dishwasher debate. Not only do they get dishes cleaner there is some evidence that they are more economical as long as they are fully loaded.
Mrs P. Lovely to hear that your move is progressing. How to decide must be difficult. Why not look at what would be best for you + Lady for walks etc. and where the nearest shops are. I am sure you will decide between the two, Good Luck.
Little Sis who sold her Norfolk home so quickly at an "eye-watering" price, cannot find anything to suit. It the area where they are looking, the size of a property is often too rural, thatched or listed, none of which they want. She is now thinking of waiting a while, loosing their sale, and then start again. She + hubbie put in an offer on a property but were outbid, as 13 others did the same. It's crazy...
I don't have a dishwasher. I did think about one once, but decided against it. I do my washing-up, by hand so quickly + easily, when the HW is hot for the CH. It basically costs me nothing and as yet, I haven't worried about the sterilisation aspect, but that is a good thought.
I do my main washing on a long but low temp. programme once a week It is one that I can put everything in together, apart from the red towels that is, (one on a higher temp). My machine is A+++ rated but is it as good as I think it is??
I believe that the use of a good wash up liquid, rinsed off with cold water, removes all possible contaminants. Remember back to the early stages of Covid. The advice was to wash hands for 20+ secs with soap, as this washed away any virus.
I think we have to agree to disagree on dishwashers! It is debatable whether it is worth it for one person. We first had one in Hong Kong. I became worn out looking after a baby, Katy, and her two half sisters not to mention a husband in the Navy with no room for tropical routine! The girls were home from school shortly after lunch, the heat was impossible at 33 degrees every day for 9 months of the year. We had a part time Amah who did all the ironing thank goodness! In UK I had a chest freezer so could store cooked meals but there with a small compartment in the fridge I had to cook from scratch every day. To make things easier we bought a microwave and a dishwasher. Since then I have never been without either of these! As I said once you have had one it is very difficult to do without it !
I batch cook and so freeze individual meals. Very often it is just to use the microwave to reheat one and at the same time, the fresh veg along with the pots/pasta/rice, are all cooked together in a tiered steamer on the hob.. Mind you, when I do my batch cooking, the oven + hob are well used - but still think this is this cost effective, well apart from my weekly roast pots + oven chips 🤣 🤣 I am not prepared, just yet, to change things until I know my new energy bill costs which are due in July.
Miriam - thank you for the recommendation for DI Gwen Danbury which I am enjoying listening to. What strikes me is how much things have changed from whenever this was made. Gwen's weight struggles are almost constantly referred to and she is never allowed to forget that she is overweight. How different from now when any such mention is called 'fat shaming'.
That's the thing with 4ex. The programmes are good listens, but it does show how things have changed over the years. Did you see my post about "Blackwater". This was another interesting listen.
For Wordle fans who want a real challenge, try Semantle: https://semantle.novalis.org/ The other day I got it in about 25. I usually take about 200. You have been warned!
Ugh...! 😂 I had a look at it and gave up after 3! I do 'wordles' up to hexadecordle, and globle and Worlde. If my daughter tells me I would know the heardle I might have a go.. Anyone tried flagle or factle?
It was our 52 wedding anniversary yesterday and because we are both still testing positive, we couldn’t go out to celebrate. So, because it was a beautifully sunny afternoon, we got the tarps off of the garden table and chairs, cleared away lots of dead leaves and mess, and had our first afternoon tea in the garden. I made some cheese scones and we had them with the tea, sitting looking at all the daffodils which have been magnificent this year, the celandines, primroses and bridal veil blossoming and it was really lovely. Much nicer than going out to the pub!
Sounds really lovely Archerphile. I don’t know what happened but I did post to wish you both a pleasant day yesterday. Purely because I was perusing old April blogs at the weekend and read of a previous anniversary. Certainly not been lucky with them for the last year or too.
Congratulations to you both. 52 yrs of marriage is just so wonderful and deserved celebrating. I thought back to where I was 52yrs ago when you married. I was 15yrs of age, at a grammar school, mis-behaving and having fun, as I was a rebel against the system..🤣
Archerphile, at one point you were planning to buy fish & chips and eat out on a bench, it may have been for your birthday, I hope you'll manage to do that one day. I remember your 50th anniversary with the photographs.
I have a gripe, which I need to share. This is that I am so fed up, when watching TV programmes, how many characters are so very often seen carrying cups of "take out" coffee. This is annoying to me.
C C - I’m pretty sure that at least one of the chains does encourage bring your own cup by giving a small discount. I’m sure I noticed it once some years ago.
Yes Mrs P, I use my own reusable cup and many places give a discount for that. What I was trying to say is that I think more people would use their own cups if they were charged for disposable ones rather than the discount. It seemed to work with plastic bags.
It's not just actors, but presenters of various tv programmes. I enjoy Escape to the Country. I record the new episodes and watch when there is nothing else which appeals to me. In most of the newest episodes, the presenter + the property hunters are often seen tallking together, either clutching coffee cups or similar. It is probably due to social distancing, but why does it have to be in shot.
You're probably right, CC. I think a university tried it some time ago. They gave all the students a reuseable cup, lowered the prices and added a charge for the cost of the cup. The total matched the previous prices, but students did indeed seem more keen to avoid a charge than they had been to gain a discount.
I carry a lidded bamboo cup n my shopping bag. I also have a travel box of cutlery. But since I bought it, I've never eaten out anywhere where there was disposable cutlery to decline.
OWiaS Thank you for telling us about Semantle - I’m up to 20 for today’s word and am not sure where I’m heading. It’s compulsive and will let me waste even more time. I should have paid more attention to your warning!
Katy is away at a conference where there has been a motion on Ukraine which diverted into spending on defence which some elements thought should be diverted to education, health and so on. The fact is that only a small percentage of GDP goes on defence. We need to have trained personnel, hardware and yes, weaponry to protect ourselves and others against these conquer all merchants. If we hadn’t had the wherewithal or the spirit to fight Hitler we would all be speaking German now and not freely either!
I have just read a review of the new film with Colin Firth in due to be in cinemas soon. This is, I think, called Operation Mermaid (the previous film was The Man who Never Was). The reviews were quite scathing as to the ridiculous idea the film was based on. As I have said before - My late Grandpa was in the naval intelligance unit which put this together, and so earned an MBE for it. It was a help, among many other missions, as to why we all still speak english today.
Apologies for going off tangent, but there are often so many hidden agendas etc., which are so unknown to the majority.
I am off tomorrow to do my usual "Grand Aunty" duties. Big Sis has the grandkids today along with a sleepover, and then all day tomorrow. Sadly the kids play her up slightly, so I usually go to:- Meet up with the youngsters (now 8 and nearly 11) Have a fun outing Just help out, in whatever way.
I am far more laid back - yet can call order as + when it is needed. I just do things in a different way.
It will be a lovely day, especially as it is already getting so much warmer. I hope that this continues over the Easter Weekend when many will hopefully, meeting up with family + friends.
I did my Easter shop today - Easter Eggs for the kids, Adult chocs (a box of chocs based on puds such as Banoffee Pie, Creme Brulee, Key Lime Pie), plus a treat for me - namely All Butter Croisants to be eaten with my home-made marmalade. My next blood tests are due in 3 weeks, so I can treat myself in the short term 🤣
Thank you Lady R. Yes, I did have a plan to go to Bristol Zoo today, but daughters have sprung a different plan upon me. I’m off to Minehead, hopefully for eldest daughter to see the flat. Return to younger daughters for family dinner, then off to a posh Somerset venue for tea in a garden tomorrow. It’s my 80th today.
You really are brilliant with dates Lady R. I do hope you were able to use that skill in some way in your working life.
Well I did not realise you were celebrating such a special birthday Mrs P so glad to hear of your arrangements and will look forward to hearing all your news from it in due course. Always been pretty good at dates and figures and yes came in handy in the day job especially when the big bosses made visits - not to say the odd blip didn’t happen 🤣
Happy birthday, Mrs P! I am another April birthday, was born on St George’s day in Scotland! Must have been destined to spend most of my life in England! I have not reached your dizzy heights, Mrs P. This will be my 74th! Have a lovely day with your daughters and hope it helps to make your mind up about your move. Looking forward to hearing your news!
Congrats MrsP on making four score years, have a lovely couple of days with your daughters & good luck with the on-going home hunt.
Had a fun morning with hermit daughter, a couple of slats had gone on her bed so we replaced them and I took the opportunity to vacuum some corners for the first time in 10 years (since we moved in) and chat a bit about the last 10 years, we both agree 2013 was the worst year (when she spent 5 weeks in the Priory) and that now she is at least coping to a degree thanks to god knows how many hours of counselling & CBT.
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter as I probably won't be posting over the next week as we're off to North Yorkshire for a family get together. It should have been the first time that all the family had been together since May 2019 but an opportunity, which clashed with our holiday, came up for eldest grandchild that was too good to pass up. She and her father won't be joining us now, I'll miss her a lot but it's something too good for her to miss.
Lots of good wishes for a very happy birthday Mrs P. Here's hoping this is the year you find the ideal home for you and Lady. Tea in a garden sounds lovely. 🏡 🎉🎈🎂🎁
Hope you are having a really lovely time ,Mrs P. April is a lovely month in which to have one's birthday especially when the weather is as glorious as it is today.
Happy Easter everyone. Sun is shining, time to get in the garden and enjoy it. I cannot understand these people who go away for Easter and then complain about the traffic or the chaos at airports. It’s always been like this, not just post lock down. I’d rather just stay home and avoid all the chaos.
I am the same. Bank Holidays are stay at home time, but this does not include family visits obviously. There is a family lunch for 10 tomorrow, but not in my small home. I am helping catering for the hostess, so been busy in the kitchen. I would so much have preferred garden time.. but that will be on Monday, even if much cooler.
I will be doing a 25 mile drive through country lanes, to the family get together. The problems I will face will be - tractors and cycle clubs, en masse! along with the limited overtaking. This route is by far the best.
Have a nice time, Miriam. You will be cooking up a feast I am sure will be appreciated!
Horrors this morning. The toilet was blocked! We only put toilet paper and the necessaries in it so not sure what caused it. I googled it and tried washing up liquid and hot water which was slightly effective and then another solution, a cup off white vinegar and a cup of sodium bicarbonate, more or less baking powder, and after two doses, success! Katy had a big tub of the sodium bicarbonate as she makes tablets you can put into the toilet to clean them. White vinegar is so effective for a lot of jobs so will make sure I always have plenty!
In the meantime Katy took the boys for a walk in the woods and Buddy rolled in fox poo! He had a very thorough bath when they came home! Fortunately we now have a collapsible dog bath with a drain so was able to sort him out in plein air! Would not like to do him in our bath!! What a rogue he is! So a dreadful morning and tomorrow is another day as Scarlet O’Hara so memorably said! Happy Easter to all!🐰!
I'm with you, Miriam. Baking soda is my go to for all household cleaning. It's great for stainless steel as it doesn't scratch the surface. White vinegar and water for spot cleaning of carpets, windows and shower door. And I only use white vinegar in the rinse aid in my washing machine. We have a septic tank so have to be careful what we put down the loo and drains.
Many happies for all you April babies. A wonderful time to have a birthday in the UK.
This post is for those who like listening to radio + dramas. Whilst I was busy in the kitchen today, I have been listening to:- Dr Wallace - Hand in Glove. This is a 'limited time' series, but I am enjoying it, as it is interesting.
Happy Easter Everyone, and enjoy your family times. 😀😍
Happy Easter everybody. Sad to say after two years and definitely not going out and about I have now got COVID. Jon caught it beginning of last week, coughing and runny nose. Then I became all snivelling and just a little bit of a cough. Jon tested me on Thursday - it was Covid. This morning I feel sick and don't want any breakfast, which is unusal as we usually have a 'full English.' Hopefully I'll get through it. I have some tests from the government as I have an auto-immune disease so didn't have to pay. However I'm am not going to test again until a couple of have passed because I still have it! Trouble is I gave up chocolate for Lent and I teased my family saying that I would eat chocolate all Easter Day, but I really don't want to try and also as I have a horrible smell in my nose I don't think they will taste very nice. Hopefully everyone will have a restful or energetic day, whichever you prefer! Gardening or family members re-uninons . Sadly now youngest son won't see me now. Oh well I just got four books from Amazon so I am reading well!
🌈 Easter greetings/ blessings to all bloggers/readers and your families. Enjoy this beautiful day whatever you are doing, especially Miriam and her family gathering what a gorgeous day for the country drive to take her there. We have just joined in the Easter Service from Leeds Minster it was a joy and the sermon was one of the best I have ever heard, meaningful in such a down to earth way and it appeared to be over in no time which certainly speaks for itself. A quiet day for us but will be glad to hear what any of you are getting up to, or got up to if reading later in the day 🥰
Oh no Spicy 😕 I posted before reading any of todays other posts. I am so sorry that after all this time you especially with all your other medical issues have succumbed to Covid (as many others who have behaved to the letter for over 2years now have) Mr R and I can only keep our fingers crossed and 🙏🏼 Thank goodness you have those books ready - enjoy them for now and hopefully the chocolate will taste all the yummier for the enforced wait.
Best wishes, Spicy. You didn’t need covid on top of everything else but take care and hope you will make a good recovery! Keep reading and enjoy your books!
My thanks to all for my birthday greetings. Unfortunately I forgot to take my IPad with me so have only read your posts on my return home. My birthday consisted of about 140 mile round drive to meet eldest in Minehead and return to Bath, without being able to see the flat that I have an offer on. The previous day had been spent making endless calls back and forth to the agents trying to make an appointment and then the present occupant, one of three sisters, was in the flat and ignoring the agents calls when we were there outside. On our return to Bath my son in law had cooked a favourite meal for me, steak and kidney pudding. Our day out to The Newt near Castle Cary on Friday was wonderful. Both daughters and my two G daughters had a lovely day together exploring the fantastic grounds and eating lovely food. I can heartily recommend The Newt for anyone in that part of the UK. Altogether a very good birthday.
So very pleased to read of your lovely birthday celebrations Mrs P. What a disappointment regarding your attempted flat viewing. Funny carry on by the vendors though especially with the journey involved by you!!
Spicy, so sorry to hear you’ve got the lurgy. Would you be eligible for any of the treatments available or are you expected to just work through it?
MrNuts and I have had a lovely couple of days in Stratford upon Avon, we drove up Friday, traffic not as bad as we feared, lovely dinner & nice hotel. Yesterday was full on culture, HenryVI pt 2 in the afternoon & HenryVI pt 3 in the evening. Both fantastic so we will now book Richard III for later in the year. The actor who plays Rauri was Richard Duke of Gloucester and was excellent, as was the whole cast. Really good to have a change of scenery. Mr Nuts has got the rest of the week off so gardening & possibly some DIY, I want to completely empty, clean & reorganise the utility room. Hopefully the weather holds.
When I taught Henry iv to 13 year olds we got to the end and one girl said to me 'Have we got to do Part 2 as well?' One girl later said to me, when I was handing out texts for 'Merchant of Venice' to another class, 'Will it be as much fun as 'Midsommer Nights Dream.' 'I'm afraid not' And it wasn't!
Spicy, so sorry to hear you have succumbed to the dreaded virus. Just like Mr A and I who had managed to avoid it for over two years. It sounds as if your symptoms are similar to mine, and though I am feeling generally better I still have tremendous coughing fits. Regarding testing, it took me 15 days to get a negative result so don’t worry if if yours takes a while, as well. We had our monthly visit from the ONS Covid tester yesterday and this time, instead of answering ‘no’ to all the questions, we had plenty to tell her. She said more and more older people, who are fully vaccinated, are now resting positive and it is due to a BA2 variant of Omicrom which is exceptionally catching. I shall be very interested to get the results of my blood test which will tell me how many antibodies I have now!
I so hoped Mrs P enjoyed that wonderful sounding, Steak + Kidney Pudding. I brought back so many memories. This was a staple food in my childhood, but I picked the kidney out as I hated it and still do! It is strange though, as I love liver.
I think that it was a staple food due to the suet pastry used. As such not as much meat etc was needed for the filling. This was an era of austerity also.
It was interesting yesterday whilst having a fantastic family day, the dreaded topic of covid emerged. There were 3 adults, all female, who have not yet succumbed. It appeared that these three only, have taken a daily Vitamin D3 supplement daily, since it all started.
I know that the latest info. now says that a Vit D supplement doesn't help - but actually does it?
My n-i-l who got the basic omnicron at Christmas and was -ve in 5 days, is now being referred to a Long Covid Clinic. He is having very many on-going health issues, so much so he is having to cancel his cricket coaching sessions. This is his income as is self-employed.
Myself , daughter, son and daughter in law have been taking a vitamin D supplement every day from early on, and have so far not caught covid despite my daughter having had close contact on 3 occasions with work colleagues who tested positive. It is now running rampant in our area so we shall see how things go. My handicapped brother in law down in the village has recently had it, but mildly. I dropped shopping on his doorstep and then retreated to a safe distance while he came out to collect it.
Thanks. Thought I would add the vitamin D is 1000 iu strength (Solgar). I also take an Omega 3 supplement as it is supposed to be good for the heart, memory and a variety of other things. I have nutravita's vegan one so that veggie son can use them as well because vegetarians can sometimes be short of omega 3, ditto B12.It is made from algae and after reading Cc's comment below I wonder if any comparison trial has been done between fish oil supplements and the algal ones.
Yes I know what you mean as to the double-blind trial, which has not been done nor ever will be. I just found it interesting, as to our vit D intake vs Covid infections. There was a correlation, however slight.
....and all 3 of us, have been taking exactly the same OTC brand of Vit D3, which again could make a difference, or then perhaps not. There are so many variables.
Mr R & I have taken a daily Bio - Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol 800 iu D - pearl every day for the last few years. They are from Pharma Nord and not the cheapest by any means but Dr recommended to me as a follow on from a special prescription dose for 3 months after my levels were found to be on the floor. I also take one per day of their Bio garlic tablets. Covid wise so far so good but we also still use a mask and plenty of hand gel (whilst realising nothing can totally guarantee escaping it as many regular bloggers are sadly finding out 😕)
I have found the comments about vitamins and covid interesting. My niece has had long covid now for over 6 months has been referred to the long covid clinic and is under the cardiac consultant . Her 8 year old daughter has had it for 3 months now and is just coping 3 mornings a week at school until 11. My niece has Crohn's disease and is very conscious of the need for vitamins etc she and the children all take supplements. I often wonder if there is something in their DNA that makes them more.susceptible, niether her partner or son has the same problem, her son having had covid twice now. Out of interest I take vitamin D as prescribed by my consultant and have to take 2000 Iu in the winter and 100Iu in the summer months
Is any-one having the same problem as myself - as to buying tomatoes. I have been to so many shops/outlets, but no-one seems to have normal tomatoes for sale. Perhaps this is due to location only? Also I have noticed that tinned tomatoes are know also seem to be getting into short supply, as are the various cooking oils. This seems "panic" buying starting again....but why? It is the media!
I made meatballs yesterday, using low fat turkey mince, and cooked in stock + a tin of tomatoes, along with loads of veg. celery, onions, carrots, chopped swede, mushrooms and herbs. This will do me 5 meals, tasty and cheap. It is so worth the time + effort 😉
Sounds yummy, Miriam. I’m afraid I buy meatballs! Asda do nice ones!
I failed at Wordle this morning but Katy found on Twitter that many others did too and were lamenting the break in their run of successes! I only got up to 16 this time and will now have to start again in my bid to beat my record of 29 on the run! At least I am in good company as Paul Sinha ( one of the Chasers) tweeted that he hadn’t got it either this morning! I did succeed at Quordle though and so have scored one. I have only achieved 4 successive wins there previously!
Ev, I too broke my streak on Wordle today, much to my irritation (MrNuts got it but he’s a clever clogs scrabble wiz ) I managed Quordle up to a 30 streak now and I still have a clean run on my Nerdle so some compensation.
Miriam, I’ve not noticed any shortage of fresh tomatoes in local shops, I haven’t needed tinned or cooking oil so not aware of any shortages there.
I usually do Wordle at midnight, but have only now done todays. Got the word pretty quickly, but wish I could understand the score card shown after finishing. If any one can explain I would be thankful.
It tells you how many you have played in total, your percentage of wins, your winning streak which zeros each time you don’t get the word and your maximum streak, the biggest number of consecutive wins. After that it shows how many you got in 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 guesses. Hope that helps!
Soz : is there any way we can correspond privately as I do with a couple of others? I would like to respond to your questions but would prefer not to irritate others with my own personal enthusiasms.
Who could not love gardens, their design and growing things?! I wish the grass wouldn't grow so fast though, both my petrol mower ( for the rougher orchard bit and the track) and the electric mower for round the house went caput last week! The petrol one has gone off for repair, but the electric one has been declared totally gone home by my son who took it apart. I am wondering about going for a cordless battery one to replace the latter, but have no idea if it would be powerful enough. Having managed to cut through the cable before now a cordless one might be safer. I expect you may have played the organ at Easter. It was the first live (instead of the occasional Zoom) church service I have been to in, I think, nearly two years and I found it really strange. People can always skip over things in which they are not interested.
Although I do Wordle I far prefer Nerdle as it is less of a gamble. My friend's husband and I compare notes each day about it. My friend chickens out of Nerdle.
Well that’s it, Cruise cancelled! Only 8 days to go before we embarked on our Baltic adventure and Mr A gets his first positive Covid PCR test from the ONS survey So Saga won’t take us, despite the fact that our luggage labels & instructions about the time the car was coming to collect us, arrived this morning. 😞😔😢
Spend entire morning on phone (hanging on for 2 1/4 hours for an answer didn’t improve my mood). Lots of negotiating, pointing out they have had a lot of our money for over a year and we finally persuaded them to transfer us to a similar cruise in July 2023! So something to look forward to next year “if we are spared “ as Mr A said!
Only consolation is that I can start growing tomatoes, cues etc in the greenhouse, pot up tubs and so-on, which I was going to leave until our return. Apart from that a bit of thumb- twiddling will be going on
What bad luck, Archerfile! Some years ago we were due to go on holiday and the day before Mike suffered a trapped nerve so I know how depressing it can be to have to cancel a long awaited holiday. Saga used to be far more helpful before they were taken over by the big boys so am not surprised you had difficulty this morning. We used to like Titan before the same thing happened to them! All you can do now is just to enjoy your garden and the better weather we’re having and try not to think about it too much! 😊
I don't understand, as to why you are already cancelled as to the cruise. Mr P could well be PCR negative before your departure date and so able to go.
Because Saga have been having a lot of Covid cases on their ships they recently made restrictions much stricter. You can’t travel if you’ve had a +ive test within 14 days of departure. You are tested twice (LFT and PCR ) at the dock& then every day on the ship. No going ashore on your own , only on conducted coach tours and anyone getting a positive test is isolated on board or offloaded at the next port and flown home. Anyone designated a contact (eg sitting near a Covid case in the restaurant) has to isolate in their cabin for 5 days! No going on deck for exercise & food left outside the door! In fact, thinking about it, perhaps we had an escape and things will be better next year!
Oh Archerphile I’m almost lost for words! The health and holiday issues plus property problems you have had in the last couple of years or so beggar belief. Thank goodness for your lovely garden 🤞🏼it will provide the solace that you both need (along with hard work of course)
On Easter Sunday, I saw the lemon tree that was a Christmas pressie for Big Sis + Hubbie. It had dropped all its leaves due to a sudden and unexpected frost, as the fleece had not be put around on that nighr. It was great to see new leaves sprouting very quickly, loads of flower buds appearing, and there were 4 tiny lemons starting to appear. The Christmas Challenge was, and still is, to eat a lemon meringue pie, made with home-grown lemons. I think that this will happen, as they both are enjoying the challenge 🍋🍋
Peggy + Kate living in The Lodge, so reminds me of To The Manor Born. They will be watching closely, as to what is going on, as GG is being transformed into whatever way. I think binoculars will appear
I bet they will also be uncertain, as to thier own future living.
We had a holiday booked for Cornwall at the end of May. We were finishing it off with a wedding down there followed by barnsdale gardens in Rutland on the way home. Due to covid, delayed eye op and our older dog struggling with old age and dementia I have cancelled everything today. It’s a shame but I daren’t risk catching covid at a large wedding before op and if Mabel went into kennels for 10 days I reckon it would be the end of her.
I am the same with an elderly pet, as to the kennel problem. Pusscat would react badly I know, and as such I cannot risk it. This means no hols for me for a while.. I am getting so envious though as hearing about family jetting off. My OZ niece is now in Fiji, others are off to Madeira, others doing a golfing hol. in Spain.. Me, nothing planned and can't do. 🙀
Thank you, Janice. I rebelled and bought an electric mower once I was certain that Mr S would not be coming home and my daughter taught me always to have the cable over my shoulder. I haven't had the energy to use it much, so the grass is left 'au naturel' while I deal with other priorities. The garden was almost divided in half by bulky Leylandii, which grew more rotund and cast more darkness by the year. I didn't want to get rid of them, a) because of cost and b) because I wanted to retain the structure, so I bought a small electric saw from Argos at Sainsbury's (SO useful, I don't know what I'd do without them) and got Nigel to strip off the lower branches so that they became small pine trees. I have a greenhouse full of plugs waiting to be planted out next month to form ground cover. There is now an echium, Pride of Madeira, on each side of the cypress tree.
That will be spectacular. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a blue echium. Does Cornish soil and climate suit them Janice, as that’s where I’ve seen them growing profusely. My brother in law bought a small battery operated mower. We were pretty scathing about it when he unwrapped it, saying it wouldn’t do the job properly etc. However, 2 years later it is still doing a magnificent job and is so easy to use.
Sarnia I am not alone in enjoying your posts about your garden. As Janice says, those not interested can skip them. I bore the pants off my daughter who does not share my enthusiasm for plants and gardening. This blog should include a wide range of topics to cater for the interests of our motley crew.
Also, Sarnia I miss your dry wit. I think we take ourselves too seriously at times.
On another topic, I am pleased that BBC are dramatising Kate Atkinson’s amazing novel “Life after Life”. I’m watching the episodes weekly rather than seeing them all on iPlayer which seems to be what you are encouraged to do now. I am rereading the novel at the same time. If you haven’t read it please do. I read it on my Kindle then bought the book as I was mesmerised by the intricacies of the plot and wanted the text in my hand.
Soz I haven't got an echium myself, but am tempted to try as I like blue and they are both wind and salt tolerant. They grow quite freely down in south Cornwall.
Sarnia's Pride of Madeira echium, which I had to look up, looks spectacular and such a vibrant,true blue. It will look wonderful, as she has described.
I planted a wonderful acotinium, Sparks Variety (blue), last year and was so wonderful. Sadly it has not reappeared this year. I will replace it, as I will other plants which have also gone over the winter. The most proliferant thing is my garden, are the weeds. I am fighting a losing battle, due to the neighbouring house nearby which has been empty since Dec. 2020. The grass is high, as are the once well tended, flower beds. It is a mystery as to what is going on with this property, as the council tax is still being paid, but it is not maintained. To add, I have striped lawns again.
I am a bad PussCat owner. Today I suddenly realised that her claws are getting overgrown. I have no idea, how I hadn't realised that this was a problem, and feel upset for the neglect. The earliest appt. for this simple task to be done, is May 3rd. What a backlog of appointments.
Waiting times for me are, 8 weeks for an eye test 5 weeks to have normal blood tests at surgery 12 days to have a cats claws cut. Also my annual hospital eye clinic appointment, has be re-done for 6 weeks further on... It's Life.
One of our cats is polydactyl and some of the claws don't get worn down in the normal way, and sometimes it can happen in older cats that aren't so active. I clip Tiger's myself with a special pair of scissors. It is easy to do, just make sure you cut the top part off and don't go down into the quick of the claw. I learnt the hard way years ago when I saw our lovely old tabby cat was limping and one claw had grown long and curled round so it was piercing her pad as she walked.
Katy cuts the dogs’ claws and admire you Janice as cats can retract theirs so make it more difficult. Buddy hates this procedure and literally screams before the cutter is anywhere near him! We wonder that the RSPCA hasn’t been called out by our neighbours! When he has his jabs we have to tell the vet not to let him see the needle!
Am I right in thinking "Nigel" was also a jury member aka Graham Seed? Not that this matters now, with the GG situation + redundacies for all the staff. 😰
Just back from our family break in the Yorkshire Dales. Lovely scenery, good weather, and fantastic food with no major melt downs by children or adults! Visited RHS Harlow Carr for the first time, the spring flowers were beautiful. Now off to give my very thirsty garden a big drink.
EV “Happy Birthday” 💐 🍷 🎂 🎈 it seems from a recent post you have now caught me up - until October that is 😂 Any plans or a restful day with Katy and your dogs - either way enjoy! (Sorry for the birthdays I am missing and I am sure there are some)
Thank you all! We went to the beach with the boys and had a lovely walk. The sand was powdery and although fresh with a breeze it was warm so very pleasant. Sadly we were just a bit too late for breakfast having had the compulsory birthday lie in so we came home and had a gammon steak and poached egg on toast! I had a potter in the garden and did two sudukos and now am resting as you do on your birthday! I share it with Prince Louis, Shakespeare and Hitler!! Oh well, you can’t win them all!! 😉 Tonight we’re having rib eye steak and Katy is cooking!😊 Happy birthday to any fellow Taureans out there!
Have just googled Hitler and his birthday was actually the 20th. What a relief! I was put in mind of it as we drove back from the beach as I saw a horse chestnut tree in flower. Mike used to say they called the flowers Hitler’ s birthday candles as they come out at this time of year and indeed do look like little candles. As I googled I found that Hitler’s father had been married before and had another family. There are now five descendants aged from 48 to 81 and they have pledged never to have children so that his bloodline will die out. He had a sister but she didn’t have children. As it said ironic as he sought to produce perfection as he saw it in the generations to come. What motivates these monsters?
What a relief for you Ev that you did not have to share you’re birthday with Hitler! I feel the same as Putin is within 5 days of mine and I have no wish whatsoever to be associated with this despicable man 😥
I have just heard that Little Sis has had a bid accepted on a new home in Suffolk. They gave up looking and withdrew from their sale in Norfolk, but a new property appeared on Thursday in their ideal location. They viewed on Friday and immediatly put in a full price offer. This was rejected due to a higher one, and so went to sealed bids today. They got it!!
I am glad that I am not in this situation. It seems a nightmare.
How are Mrs P. etc doing with the home selling and buying?? It sounds so stressful.
On a different note - I feel quite smug today, as I have had a letter published in a periodical. It is weird to see your own name in print, and what I actually wrote many weeks ago now 🤷♀️
Katy bought some snuggle beds for the dogs some time ago. They are a sort of bag lined with furry fabric that they can cuddle into. They loved them so much that we bought one for my sister in law’s elderly Tom cat, Bertie. He loves it too and sleeps in it overnight. A lady called Nichola makes them at home and she can be found on Facebook. They are called snuggle cwtches (she is Welsh). I thought your puss cat would love one but that is all the detail I can give you I’m afraid.
Many years ago when I had a puss cat she had a fleece cradle which hooked over a radiator. Much loved as off the ground warm and very comfortable especially in the Autumn / winter time 🐈⬛ 🙂
I have looked at the Nichola Cwtch site and thanks for that. My pusscat just loves snuggling down in a "feather bower" on the landing with toys, which is on top of a CH pipe. Then she cuddles on the bed, beside me. 😽
Ours have their cwtch on the bed! Double comfort! Lady R, I remember seeing the radiator cradle. Very cosy in the colder months! Very much for cats as our two couldn’t jump that far and Dudley in particular is too well built and would cause a cradle collapse!
I am going classical tonight. BBC4 ( after TA ), the Young Dancer followed by Swan Lake. A night of dance + ballet seems lovely and different and a change. 🩰
Son was able to vote in his first ever Presidential election. He was chuffed and very proud to be able to do this, after having lived in France for 20 years. Funny thing was, when he and his wife went to vote, she a born and bred French citizen, couldn’t………because she hadn’t filled in forms properly! 🙄😂 🇫🇷
In case you have not seen my post on the second half of the Ambridge page: The good news is that the Friday edition of TA returns on Friday 3rd June!
Maybe that’s why we been seeing new characters and the return of Kathy, the need to fill 6 episodes a week. I hope the quality and interest is kept up.
Is any-one like me, having problems with this new set-up? This is when posting, only the top half of the written words appear. It is infuriating, but that means less posts from me. I can hear the hurrahs ringing around.
I keep having to scroll up + down, to see what I have written and so correct, which happens after a shortly after starting to post! It's just happened again 😒
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteEnZed - April 7, 2022 at 1:49 AM
This is a great site to find good stuff to listen to. I don't have a TV but love radio. Apart from TA I don't listen to very much on Radio 4 as I prefer old stuff on Radio4e. I've just found 'Waterloo Station' (thanks Archerphile) and listened to the first 5 minutes. Will get back to it soon.
Change of subject - our baby albatross is a wee female. She is also the grubbiest baby albie we've ever had. I'm still wasting all my time drooling over her.
Archerphile - April 7, 2022 at 9:42 AM
It’s so interesting to hear about your life in NZ, EnZed! So different to ours. We might find ourselves nurturing an abandoned kitten or baby hedgehog, but the thought of a baby albatross is quite amazing!
Will you be able to return her to the wild eventually?
EnZed - April 7, 2022 at 10:03 AM
She isn't exactly mine. She is part of our local albatross colony on Taiaroa Head just outside of Dunedin in the South Island. It is the only land-based albie colony in the world and is looked after by DOC (Dept of Conservation) who have a whole team of rangers dedicated to their welfare. The colony began several decades ago, we think by accident, but it is now a thriving community of totally wild albatross who come here every year to breed. The rangers watch over all the nests but one is chosen each year to be the star of the colony by having a 24 hour live camera feed courtesy of Cornell Lab in the States. If you google Royal Cam you will be able to see it all for yourself.
They are the most amazing birds and so beautiful. People from all over the world follow our royal pair and many leave comments. Please do have a look, but beware. You may end up like me - hooked. If you do check in, it's free for everyone and no need to register to watch, look way across the harbour to the hills on the far side. That's where I live. Half an hour drive from Dunedin City and then another half an hour out to the colony.
Back from Durham safe and sound. It was bloomin' fantastic, but exhausting. (Anneveggie - if you DO decide to visit, I would recommend your comfiest walking boots. The city is on 3 levels and there is a LOT of stairs and hills to climb up and down!)
ReplyDeleteThe cathedral is stunning. Even dragged myself the 650 steps up to the top of the tower. (No idea what the view is like though, because I got my usual attack of the collywobbles and sat on the ground looking at a wall instead of soaking up the sights...) Pbty - sadly there was no Lego model and we decided not to go for any drinkies because we were too bloody exhausted. Did the castle too. Didn't realise that it's actually a working college of the University and students actually live there. Lucky them.
Speaking of students, there is a beautiful/ugly (depends on your point of view!) concrete Brutalist building called Dunelm House beside the river that was the Students Union. Looks like they are restoring it but opinion seems to be divided as to whether they should just knock it down. I loved it.
Mistral, we went to Vennels and it was fantastic. Went twice. Thanks for the tip!
Our eldest daughter had an offer of a place at that college of Durham university. She went to a different university in the end and we still haven't visited Durham, must do so sometime.
DeleteEnZed - Just been on the Royal Cam and think I can see a dirty ball of fluff fast asleep!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like our baby!!
DeleteGary, glad you liked Vennels, easily missed but so worth it.
DeleteMy small terrier picked a fight with a great dane in the courtyard once, tables sent flying, heaters wobbled etc, so she was banned! Luckily I was not.
NZ, I logged on and saw two blades of grass waving about. I will look again before I go to bed, when it should be daylight. What a beautiful area you live in.
What is it with terriers? Our Buddy is mostly terrier and likes to challenge dogs 10 times his size. He doesn’t get into a fight but the big dog usually backs away. Dudley and Buddy look out for each other and once, when a Great Dane was too full on with Buddy, Dudley bit the big one on his nose! Dudley is a small sized Shih Tzu. Luckily the owner didn’t take offence but said the big boy deserved it!
DeleteMy daughter went to Durham. It was a long way from where I lived at the time - the south coast - might have been the attraction!!! Anyway, I did make the journey a few times but what annoyed me was wealthy students’ parents buying up property for their little darlings to live in for 3 years. I felt sorry for the locals.
ReplyDeleteThe river reminds me that my daughter tried her hand at coxing but for a brief time only; under her guidance, the crew managed to hit the banks regularly.
What I do remember clearly is her graduation; she was awarded her degree by Dame Margot Fonteyn - a tiny frail figure yet with such poise and presence. Her address to the students was inspiring too. I could not take my eyes off this dignified lady who was obviously unwell - I believe she died later that year.
There is a portrait of her in the castle Soz. She was the first non-royal female chancellor of a British University.
DeleteMistral, if you check out the comments on the Royal Cam discussion page there are lots of short video clips you can browse. I do that a lot because so much of the live camera feed is just our baby sitting on her nest waiting for mum or dad to come in and feed her.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm very fortunate to live where I do. I still find it odd that I lived and worked in London, one of the busiest places in the world, and have settled happily into a small NZ township where very little happens from one year to the next. Don't know what I'll do, though, if I lose the ability to drive. It's a 1/2 hour walk to the bus stop!
Lovely fluffy little young ones. I had no idea the eggs take so long to hatch and how long the parents go on feeding them. No wonder they only nest every other year. It seemed quite sad to me that in September the parents can return to the nest only to find their nestling has fledged and flown without them seeing it go.
DeleteIt's really sad for me, too. I always have a bit of a weep when the baby fledges. Sometimes we're lucky and the first flight is captured on camera. When it is I watch it several times, wiping the tears away as I do, but very soon after the last chick goes the breeding pairs are back again and by mid January we have another baby albie to coo over.
DeleteGary - thank you for the tip about boots. Your description has wetted my appetite to visit.
ReplyDeleteMust look in on the Royal Cam to see the baby albatross.
Durham sounds amazing. This is somewhere I no nothing about, but is on now firmly on my list of places to visit.
ReplyDeleteSadly this list is getting longer, due to my Puss Cat and her ongoing problems...🙀
NZ, thank you, done it. We could have a competition for her name?
ReplyDeleteI nominate Scuff for Lynda Snell's dog.
Ev, yes I agree terriers can be terrible, but that is why I like them. Fun on four paws...
Ruby, after Lilians pooch is my idea.
DeleteThis is perhaps not the right page as to my thoughts as to the albatross chicks name, as they are all Archers related.
DeleteThis is a crossover, as are relating to the albatross chick, to have an Archers name. As the sex is unknown, I give my relevant thoughts.
Monty - Linda's Dobbermon.
Peppa Pig - a texel ram named by Poppy
Biff, Meg, Tiggs - dogs in Ambridge in recent years and owned by many
This is not forgetting Portia - Mrs Antrobus's Afghan Hound, along with Peppermint - Alices horse.
Sorry, my mind has just gone into overdrive, yet again 😰
Calm down dear! As MichaelWinner used today in the adverts ! 😂
DeleteWhat sort of terrier have you got, Mistral? Buddy is one third Maltese with Jack Russell and Yorkshire mixed in. There is also a small portion of Llasa Apso and Shih Tzu. Katy had him DNA tested! Dudley is pure Shih Tzu which means he is a little princeling. Gypsy was a princess. I agree terriers are a lot of fun. Shih Tzus are just semi detached from humans but real characters! DNA testing has proved they are very close to wolves. Explains a lot! 😊🐾🐾
DeleteAh, they are all one step away from wolfiness Ev!
DeleteWhen my son was having carpets fitted, his front door was open and a shi-tzu just walked in off the strreet and jumped on his knee without a second thought, as if he belonged there.
Son had to go to work, so phoned me, I walked around the neighbourhood for a while with 'Fluffy' before I headed to the vet, who knew her, and phoned the owner. I waited until the poor woman arrived, very upset, she thought the dog was in the bedroom with her sick husband, he thought she was in the kitchen with his wife. She thought the dog must have got out of the bedroom window onto the garage roof. They lived about two streets away.
My dog is pure Jack Russell and looks exactly like the Dogs Trust logo.
She is thirteen now and very warty and slow, but was such a live wire when younger.
More seriously, I have been saddened recently by the never ending stupidity of people leaving small children alone with dogs and the ensuing tragedies. I think the government should bring back dog licences.
Yes, there is no doubt that some dogs are aggressive but very often children can make a sudden move and the dog interprets it wrongly. I would never leave either of ours or any other dog on their own with a child. It is very irresponsible. In the latter days of dog licences it was costing more to administer them than was coming in as the cost had never gone up. I agree it could deter some from getting a dog but normally a dog including rescues can mean parting with a good sum. I met a man the other day who had a lovely 14 year old Yorkie. It had been rehomed to him from Friends of the Animals. The previous owner, a lady, had been out all day every day working and only took the dog for a walk once a week on a Sunday. All is well now for this little dog as she is well looked after and gets a daily walk. Many people think small dogs don’t need walks but they do need the stimulation and the ability to have a good sniff around! People who don’t take the welfare of the dog into account are another group who need to be deterred from having a dog!
DeleteI’m not surprised that Shih Tzu felt he belonged there, Mistral! They are very entitled little dogs! Dudley barks regally to be let out and to come back in and gets extremely cross if we don’t tend to his needs very promptly! The Jack Russell in Buddy comes out regularly! They are real characters!
Warning, more dog talk! Mistral, re the owners of the Shih Tzu thinking she was safe at home, we thought so too when a neighbour knocked the door carrying Buddy. She had found him in the road ( we live in a quiet cul de sac). The only way he could have got out was through the bedroom window and although we are in a bungalow it is on a slope and the sill is about 5 feet above the ground. Buddy likes to chase flies and we think he launched himself at one from the bed and misjudged, flying through the window. We couldn’t understand how he had not hurt himself with such a leap for a small dog. Needless to say the big windows are now kept firmly locked !
DeleteEv. I hadn't realised that your lovely home is a bungalow.
DeleteAs a singleton, I couldn't contemplate living in one, as I just wouldn't feel safe or secure. This is that in the summer, I always have a window open all night.
....I meant that my main bedroom window, is open all night.
DeleteWe have a top flap window so that usually suffices but the main window could be opened at night with curtains drawn. The bedrooms are both at the front and as I said they are quite high because of the lie of the land. I wouldn’t like to go back to a house with stairs, more cleaning and so nice not to climb upstairs to bed!
DeleteIt's strange isn't it as to what we all prefer. Bedtime for me, is going up the stairs to the haven of my bedroom where I look out of the window, to see what is going on outside. My binoculars are never far away..yes I am nosey 👀🤣🙎♀️
DeleteProfile photo is of Buddy my Terror Terrier reclining!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely. 🐕 🦴
DeleteSo, the papers + news sites are now causing panic buying on an item, yet again.
ReplyDeleteThis time it is Sunflower Oil. I believe the reason given, is that the main producers are in Ukraine + Russia. This gives the question - why not in other places where sunflowers grow in pure abundance 🌻🌻
Besides that, there are so many other suitable cooking oils available such as rapeseed, which give no different outcome as to cooking.
I did mention this a while ago, but now it seems to be blown out of all proportians.
DeleteI feel so silly tonight, as I have only just realised that is Easter next weekend. What a plonker I am.
ReplyDeleteThis came about as to an invite to an Easter Sunday family meal received today, which I so gratefully accepted. 🐣🐥🐇
My last thoughts, ponderings, ruminations or whatever these should be called, is to ackowledge the person who mentioned "Hazel" as a detective in a series
ReplyDeleteI have now listened to all the 4 episodes (DI Gwen Brandbury).
I enjoyed these, so Thanks to whoever mentioned it, with apologies that I haven't found their name. 😭
I love the music that introduces this series. When it was first broadcast some years ago, I wrote to the BBC asking what the music was as I wanted to download it to my MP3 player.
DeleteBut apparently it was specially written for the series and cannot be found online.
Shame.
I continue to have problems with posting and the frustration leads me to stop bothering but I do read both blogs daily.
ReplyDeleteThe sale of my cottage continues and I have an offer of a ground floor flat with garden in Minehead in the early stages of purchase.
However in the last few days another property in Ilminster that I had a strong interest in has dropped the price significantly which has brought it back into my focus and caused considerable turmoil within me.
The two properties are as different as chalk and cheese as are the two towns, both appealing to different aspects of my needs and desires.
I have been wondering how Mistral is doing in her house search.
Do let us know, please.
I am doing very well at Wordle and enjoying the challenge. But there are days when I havnt a clue.
Hello Mrs. P.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that your plans are progressing.
I am going very slowly, had 4 valuations and chosen my estate agent, and am now about to start decorating, all the refurbishment is complete apart from a couple of kitchen cupboards, but I'm not in a big hurry, and in fact have done almost nothing since Christmas, but am starting to feel a little bit more energised with the warmer weather.
All the properties in my price bracket in the South West look like hard work to me, I had thought that selling my nice house up here and down-sizing down there would allow me to get a decent small bungelow, but I havent found anything, and to be honest it is just depressing.
I have an odd health condition post Covid, and am coming to the conclusion that a 'Retirement' property is as good as it will get, because I want this to be my final move, don't want to move somewhere I can't manage and have to do it all again in a few years time, so am trying to future-proof my options, e.g bus routes, decent hospital, handy shops etc.
However, as I am proceeding slower than a snail, it is academic at the moment.
I believe that things happen when the time is right, and it doesn't seem to be just now, but it will happen at some point, I certainly dont want another winter in this house. Places in my village are selling within days, often over the asking price apparently, so I'm not at all stressed about it, and my family have the grace and good sense to leave me be and sort things out in my own time. They are tired of me trying to foist 'things' off onto them, but a couple of friends have put in requests for furniture, and I have sold a few bits too, I am gleeful every time I get rid of something as it is less to worry about. I have had a sleepless night worrying about not having room for a dishwasher, real first world problems up here!!
I will keep you updated as and when......
I dont know Minehead or Ilminster at all, I am planning on East Devon.
All the best with your house purchase Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteI think the only way to choose between the two properties is to write down your main priorities and see which comes out as the better choice.
I attempt Wordle and Nerdle each day .
So far ,so good.
Mistral ,do you really need a dishwasher?
I have never had one and now that I live alone it would be pointless getting one.
We have a slimline dishwasher which takes about 8 place settings. Once you have one it is difficult to live without. It takes care of most things and sterilises everything too. It would fit in better than a full size one, Mistral and getting a new one would update the energy and water required. We run ours on a long but economical eco wash.
DeleteI had a run of 29 successful Wordles and now up to 11 hoping to beat that. I can’t make a run of more than 4 on quordle though! Being American sourced you have to watch out for their spellings too!
Mrs P and Mistral, good luck with your house search. You rarely get to tick all the boxes. I would have liked 3 bedrooms but this bungalow fulfilled my other requirements having big rooms with lots of light and a spacious conservatory. It is also near to amenities and on a good bus route! It never is easy but hope you have success in the end!
Ah, the dishwasher debate....
ReplyDeleteNo, Lanjan, I dont need one, but having tried both ways I prefer the machine, it gets things cleaner than I can, and like Ev, I like the sterilising factor.
One Christmas both the dishwasher and washing machine broke at the same time, it was the dishwasher that I replaced first.
Like Ev said, you don't want to stop once you've started, and I just don't like manual work!!
Now I am about to go and paint some walls, which is something I do like :)
I'm with you Mistral over the dishwasher debate. Not only do they get dishes cleaner there is some evidence that they are more economical as long as they are fully loaded.
DeleteMrs P.
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear that your move is progressing. How to decide must be difficult.
Why not look at what would be best for you + Lady for walks etc. and where the nearest shops are.
I am sure you will decide between the two,
Good Luck.
Little Sis who sold her Norfolk home so quickly at an "eye-watering" price, cannot find anything to suit. It the area where they are looking, the size of a property is often too rural, thatched or listed, none of which they want.
DeleteShe is now thinking of waiting a while, loosing their sale, and then start again.
She + hubbie put in an offer on a property but were outbid, as 13 others did the same.
It's crazy...
I don't have a dishwasher. I did think about one once, but decided against it. I do my washing-up, by hand so quickly + easily, when the HW is hot for the CH. It basically costs me nothing and as yet, I haven't worried about the sterilisation aspect, but that is a good thought.
ReplyDeleteI do my main washing on a long but low temp. programme once a week It is one that I can put everything in together, apart from the red towels that is, (one on a higher temp). My machine is A+++ rated but is it as good as I think it is??
I believe that the use of a good wash up liquid, rinsed off with cold water, removes all possible contaminants.
DeleteRemember back to the early stages of Covid. The advice was to wash hands for 20+ secs with soap, as this washed away any virus.
I think we have to agree to disagree on dishwashers! It is debatable whether it is worth it for one person. We first had one in Hong Kong. I became worn out looking after a baby, Katy, and her two half sisters not to mention a husband in the Navy with no room for tropical routine! The girls were home from school shortly after lunch, the heat was impossible at 33 degrees every day for 9 months of the year. We had a part time Amah who did all the ironing thank goodness! In UK I had a chest freezer so could store cooked meals but there with a small compartment in the fridge I had to cook from scratch every day. To make things easier we bought a microwave and a dishwasher. Since then I have never been without either of these! As I said once you have had one it is very difficult to do without it !
DeletePs on re reading should explain Katy was the baby! I didn’t have a baby and her! Only three daughters in total!😊
DeleteI batch cook and so freeze individual meals. Very often it is just to use the microwave to reheat one and at the same time, the fresh veg along with the pots/pasta/rice, are all cooked together in a tiered steamer on the hob..
DeleteMind you, when I do my batch cooking, the oven + hob are well used - but still think this is this cost effective, well apart from my weekly roast pots + oven chips 🤣 🤣
I am not prepared, just yet, to change things until I know my new energy bill costs which are due in July.
Miriam - thank you for the recommendation for DI Gwen Danbury which I am enjoying listening to. What strikes me is how much things have changed from whenever this was made. Gwen's weight struggles are almost constantly referred to and she is never allowed to forget that she is overweight. How different from now when any such mention is called 'fat shaming'.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing with 4ex. The programmes are good listens, but it does show how things have changed over the years.
DeleteDid you see my post about "Blackwater".
This was another interesting listen.
These listens would not be so intriguing, if the likes of mobile phones etc. were then available.
DeletePerhaps this is why I enjoy these so much.
For Wordle fans who want a real challenge, try Semantle: https://semantle.novalis.org/
ReplyDeleteThe other day I got it in about 25. I usually take about 200.
You have been warned!
Ugh...! 😂
DeleteI had a look at it and gave up after 3!
I do 'wordles' up to hexadecordle, and globle and Worlde.
If my daughter tells me I would know the heardle I might have a go..
Anyone tried flagle or factle?
At this rate, my whole dayle be taken up with solving puzzle!
DeleteI have nothing to talk about today.
ReplyDeleteI can hear the sighs of relief already 🤣 🤣
I just hope, that all are well, heathly and enjoying life 🤗
How come Miriam? Not been for your Tuesday Sainsbury trip today?
DeleteToday was meant to be a zoo trip with family members. This was cancelled due to the torrential rain!
DeleteIt was our 52 wedding anniversary yesterday and because we are both still testing positive, we couldn’t go out to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteSo, because it was a beautifully sunny afternoon, we got the tarps off of the garden table and chairs, cleared away lots of dead leaves and mess, and had our first afternoon tea in the garden.
I made some cheese scones and we had them with the tea, sitting looking at all the daffodils which have been magnificent this year, the celandines, primroses and bridal veil blossoming and it was really lovely. Much nicer than going out to the pub!
Sounds really lovely Archerphile. I don’t know what happened but I did post to wish you both a pleasant day yesterday. Purely because I was perusing old April blogs at the weekend and read of a previous anniversary. Certainly not been lucky with them for the last year or too.
DeleteCongratulations to you both. 52 yrs of marriage is just so wonderful and deserved celebrating.
DeleteI thought back to where I was 52yrs ago when you married.
I was 15yrs of age, at a grammar school, mis-behaving and having fun, as I was a rebel against the system..🤣
Congratulations to you both. That is a wonderful achievement.
DeleteArcherphile, at one point you were planning to buy fish & chips and eat out on a bench, it may have been for your birthday, I hope you'll manage to do that one day.
ReplyDeleteI remember your 50th anniversary with the photographs.
I have a gripe, which I need to share.
ReplyDeleteThis is that I am so fed up, when watching TV programmes, how many characters are so very often seen carrying cups of "take out" coffee.
This is annoying to me.
I think there should be a charge for disposable cups as we did with plastic bags rather than taking money off if one has a reusable cup.
DeleteC C - I’m pretty sure that at least one of the chains does encourage bring your own cup by giving a small discount. I’m sure I noticed it once some years ago.
DeleteYes Mrs P, I use my own reusable cup and many places give a discount for that. What I was trying to say is that I think more people would use their own cups if they were charged for disposable ones rather than the discount. It seemed to work with plastic bags.
DeleteI am also tired of seeing actors clinging onto their coffee cups. How did we manage before this?
DeleteIt's not just actors, but presenters of various tv programmes. I enjoy Escape to the Country. I record the new episodes and watch when there is nothing else which appeals to me.
DeleteIn most of the newest episodes, the presenter + the property hunters are often seen tallking together, either clutching coffee cups or similar.
It is probably due to social distancing, but why does it have to be in shot.
You're probably right, CC. I think a university tried it some time ago. They gave all the students a reuseable cup, lowered the prices and added a charge for the cost of the cup. The total matched the previous prices, but students did indeed seem more keen to avoid a charge than they had been to gain a discount.
DeleteI carry a lidded bamboo cup n my shopping bag. I also have a travel box of cutlery. But since I bought it, I've never eaten out anywhere where there was disposable cutlery to decline.
OWiaS Thank you for telling us about Semantle - I’m up to 20 for today’s word and am not sure where I’m heading. It’s compulsive and will let me waste even more time. I should have paid more attention to your warning!
ReplyDeleteKaty is away at a conference where there has been a motion on Ukraine which diverted into spending on defence which some elements thought should be diverted to education, health and so on. The fact is that only a small percentage of GDP goes on defence. We need to have trained personnel, hardware and yes, weaponry to protect ourselves and others against these conquer all merchants. If we hadn’t had the wherewithal or the spirit to fight Hitler we would all be speaking German now and not freely either!
ReplyDeleteI have just read a review of the new film with Colin Firth in due to be in cinemas soon. This is, I think, called Operation Mermaid (the previous film was The Man who Never Was).
DeleteThe reviews were quite scathing as to the ridiculous idea the film was based on.
As I have said before - My late Grandpa was in the naval intelligance unit which put this together, and so earned an MBE for it. It was a help, among many other missions, as to why we all still speak english today.
Apologies for going off tangent, but there are often so many hidden agendas etc., which are so unknown to the majority.
I am off tomorrow to do my usual "Grand Aunty" duties. Big Sis has the grandkids today along with a sleepover, and then all day tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSadly the kids play her up slightly, so I usually go to:-
Meet up with the youngsters (now 8 and nearly 11)
Have a fun outing
Just help out, in whatever way.
I am far more laid back - yet can call order as + when it is needed. I just do things in a different way.
It will be a lovely day, especially as it is already getting so much warmer. I hope that this continues over the Easter Weekend when many will hopefully, meeting up with family + friends.
I did my Easter shop today - Easter Eggs for the kids, Adult chocs (a box of chocs based on puds such as Banoffee Pie, Creme Brulee, Key Lime Pie), plus a treat for me - namely All Butter Croisants to be eaten with my home-made marmalade.
My next blood tests are due in 3 weeks, so I can treat myself in the short term 🤣
...and keep taking my statin 😉
DeleteMRS P 🎁 🎂 💐 🎈have a lovely day (any plans?)
ReplyDeleteI know there are other April birthday’s on this blog so good wishes to you all. Mrs P is the same date as my nieces anniversary so easily remembered 🤗
Thank you Lady R.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did have a plan to go to Bristol Zoo today, but daughters have sprung a different plan upon me.
I’m off to Minehead, hopefully for eldest daughter to see the flat.
Return to younger daughters for family dinner, then off to a posh Somerset venue for tea in a garden tomorrow.
It’s my 80th today.
You really are brilliant with dates Lady R. I do hope you were able to use that skill in some way in your working life.
Well I did not realise you were celebrating such a special birthday Mrs P so glad to hear of your arrangements and will look forward to hearing all your news from it in due course.
DeleteAlways been pretty good at dates and figures and yes came in handy in the day job especially when the big bosses made visits - not to say the odd blip didn’t happen 🤣
Happy Birthday Mrs P. I hope you have a lovely couple of days and your daughter sees the flat!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday MrsP. Hope you have a great day with your family and I hope they like the flat.
ReplyDeleteSpicy.
Have a lovely birthday Mrs. P, I hope you like the flat and LOVE the afternoon tea :)
DeleteHappy Birthday MrsP
ReplyDeleteWell done MrsP for reaching this great age. All the best for the family time and your new home.
ReplyDeleteFélicitations Mrs P !
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Mrs P! I am another April birthday, was born on St George’s day in Scotland! Must have been destined to spend most of my life in England! I have not reached your dizzy heights, Mrs P. This will be my 74th! Have a lovely day with your daughters and hope it helps to make your mind up about your move. Looking forward to hearing your news!
ReplyDeleteCongrats MrsP on making four score years, have a lovely couple of days with your daughters & good luck with the on-going home hunt.
ReplyDeleteHad a fun morning with hermit daughter, a couple of slats had gone on her bed so we replaced them and I took the opportunity to vacuum some corners for the first time in 10 years (since we moved in) and chat a bit about the last 10 years, we both agree 2013 was the worst year (when she spent 5 weeks in the Priory) and that now she is at least coping to a degree thanks to god knows how many hours of counselling & CBT.
Hope your daughter can now look to the future and enjoy today, KP. Best wishes to you and to her. Have a good Easter weekend!😊
DeleteMrs P.
ReplyDeleteVery Many Happy Returns. 🎉🎁🤗
You are being spoilt, exactly as it should be done. Enjoy your many surprises, and may they keep on coming.
🤞 re the property.
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter as I probably won't be posting over the next week as we're off to North Yorkshire for a family get together.
ReplyDeleteIt should have been the first time that all the family had been together since May 2019 but an opportunity, which clashed with our holiday, came up for eldest grandchild that was too good to pass up. She and her father won't be joining us now, I'll miss her a lot but it's something too good for her to miss.
Have Fun. 🤗
DeleteMrs P, I hope you have a wonderful couple of days. Congratulations on your 80th birthday 🎊🎂🎉
ReplyDeleteJust in time to add my congratulations to everyone else’s Mrs P. Hope you have a very happy time celebrating such a magnificent birthday.
ReplyDelete💐💐💐
Happy birthday Mrs P. Hope you have a successful couple of days with your daughters and that they can maybe help you decide on which home to buy. 🎂💐
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Mrs. P!!
ReplyDeleteLots of good wishes for a very happy birthday Mrs P. Here's hoping this is the year you find the ideal home for you and Lady. Tea in a garden sounds lovely. 🏡 🎉🎈🎂🎁
ReplyDeleteMinehead's Butlins could be fun! 😉
DeleteHope you are having a really lovely time ,Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteApril is a lovely month in which to have one's birthday especially when the weather is as glorious as it is today.
Heard a nightingale just now...
ReplyDeleteI got Semantle in 45 today - I'm chuffed : )
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter everyone.
ReplyDeleteSun is shining, time to get in the garden and enjoy it.
I cannot understand these people who go away for Easter and then complain about the traffic or the chaos at airports. It’s always been like this, not just post lock down.
I’d rather just stay home and avoid all the chaos.
I am the same. Bank Holidays are stay at home time, but this does not include family visits obviously.
DeleteThere is a family lunch for 10 tomorrow, but not in my small home. I am helping catering for the hostess, so been busy in the kitchen.
I would so much have preferred garden time..
but that will be on Monday, even if much cooler.
I will be doing a 25 mile drive through country lanes, to the family get together. The problems I will face will be - tractors and cycle clubs, en masse! along with the limited overtaking. This route is by far the best.
DeleteHave a nice time, Miriam. You will be cooking up a feast I am sure will be appreciated!
DeleteHorrors this morning. The toilet was blocked! We only put toilet paper and the necessaries in it so not sure what caused it. I googled it and tried washing up liquid and hot water which was slightly effective and then another solution, a cup off white vinegar and a cup of sodium bicarbonate, more or less baking powder, and after two doses, success! Katy had a big tub of the sodium bicarbonate as she makes tablets you can put into the toilet to clean them. White vinegar is so effective for a lot of jobs so will make sure I always have plenty!
In the meantime Katy took the boys for a walk in the woods and Buddy rolled in fox poo! He had a very thorough bath when they came home! Fortunately we now have a collapsible dog bath with a drain so was able to sort him out in plein air! Would not like to do him in our bath!! What a rogue he is! So a dreadful morning and tomorrow is another day as Scarlet O’Hara so memorably said! Happy Easter to all!🐰!
I am lover of white wine vinegar with bicarb of soda, for household events. It works.
DeleteCitric acid is the other star - hot water plus a good dose of citric acid is brilliant at clearing limescale in the toilet bowl.
DeleteHousehold events, Miriam? I now have a picture of a bring a bottle party where everyone turns up with bottles of wine vinegar ; )
I'm with you, Miriam. Baking soda is my go to for all household cleaning. It's great for stainless steel as it doesn't scratch the surface. White vinegar and water for spot cleaning of carpets, windows and shower door. And I only use white vinegar in the rinse aid in my washing machine. We have a septic tank so have to be careful what we put down the loo and drains.
DeleteMany happies for all you April babies. A wonderful time to have a birthday in the UK.
This post is for those who like listening to radio + dramas.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I was busy in the kitchen today, I have been listening to:-
Dr Wallace - Hand in Glove.
This is a 'limited time' series, but I am enjoying it, as it is interesting.
Happy Easter Everyone, and enjoy your family times. 😀😍
I am not a person with any true religious beliefs, however I am loving the Easter music from Kings Cambridge, with all it embraces.
ReplyDelete...such wonderful music, both choral + organ. It was a pure delight to hear + appreciate this, in so very many different ways.
Delete🎶 😊
Happy Easter everyone. Hope you all have a lovely day in sunshine.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter everybody!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter everybody.
ReplyDeleteSad to say after two years and definitely not going out and about I have now got COVID. Jon caught it beginning of last week, coughing and runny nose. Then I became all snivelling and just a little bit of a cough. Jon tested me on Thursday - it was Covid. This morning I feel sick and don't want any breakfast, which is unusal as we usually have a 'full English.'
Hopefully I'll get through it. I have some tests from the government as I have an auto-immune disease so didn't have to pay. However I'm am not going to test again until a couple of have passed because I still have it!
Trouble is I gave up chocolate for Lent and I teased my family saying that I would eat chocolate all Easter Day, but I really don't want to try and also as I have a horrible smell in my nose I don't think they will taste very nice.
Hopefully everyone will have a restful or energetic day, whichever you prefer! Gardening or family members re-uninons . Sadly now youngest son won't see me now. Oh well I just got four books from Amazon so I am reading well!
🌈 Easter greetings/ blessings to all bloggers/readers and your families. Enjoy this beautiful day whatever you are doing, especially Miriam and her family gathering what a gorgeous day for the country drive to take her there.
ReplyDeleteWe have just joined in the Easter Service from Leeds Minster it was a joy and the sermon was one of the best I have ever heard, meaningful in such a down to earth way and it appeared to be over in no time which certainly speaks for itself.
A quiet day for us but will be glad to hear what any of you are getting up to, or got up to if reading later in the day 🥰
Oh no Spicy 😕 I posted before reading any of todays other posts. I am so sorry that after all this time you especially with all your other medical issues have succumbed to Covid (as many others who have behaved to the letter for over 2years now have) Mr R and I can only keep our fingers crossed and 🙏🏼
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you have those books ready - enjoy them for now and hopefully the chocolate will taste all the yummier for the enforced wait.
Best wishes, Spicy. You didn’t need covid on top of everything else but take care and hope you will make a good recovery! Keep reading and enjoy your books!
DeleteHappy Easter to everyone! Enjoy the day.
ReplyDeleteMy thanks to all for my birthday greetings.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I forgot to take my IPad with me so have only read your posts on my return home.
My birthday consisted of about 140 mile round drive to meet eldest in Minehead and return to Bath, without being able to see the flat that I have an offer on.
The previous day had been spent making endless calls back and forth to the agents trying to make an appointment and then the present occupant, one of three sisters, was in the flat and ignoring the agents calls when we were there outside.
On our return to Bath my son in law had cooked a favourite meal for me, steak and kidney pudding.
Our day out to The Newt near Castle Cary on Friday was wonderful.
Both daughters and my two G daughters had a lovely day together exploring the fantastic grounds and eating lovely food.
I can heartily recommend The Newt for anyone in that part of the UK.
Altogether a very good birthday.
So very pleased to read of your lovely birthday celebrations Mrs P. What a disappointment regarding your attempted flat viewing. Funny carry on by the vendors though especially with the journey involved by you!!
DeleteSpicy, so sorry to hear you’ve got the lurgy. Would you be eligible for any of the treatments available or are you expected to just work through it?
ReplyDeleteMrNuts and I have had a lovely couple of days in Stratford upon Avon, we drove up Friday, traffic not as bad as we feared, lovely dinner & nice hotel. Yesterday was full on culture, HenryVI pt 2 in the afternoon & HenryVI pt 3 in the evening. Both fantastic so we will now book Richard III for later in the year. The actor who plays Rauri was Richard Duke of Gloucester and was excellent, as was the whole cast. Really good to have a change of scenery.
Mr Nuts has got the rest of the week off so gardening & possibly some DIY, I want to completely empty, clean & reorganise the utility room. Hopefully the weather holds.
When I taught Henry iv to 13 year olds we got to the end and one girl said to me 'Have we got to do Part 2 as well?'
ReplyDeleteOne girl later said to me, when I was handing out texts for 'Merchant of Venice' to another class, 'Will it be as much fun as 'Midsommer Nights Dream.'
'I'm afraid not'
And it wasn't!
Spicy, so sorry to hear you have succumbed to the dreaded virus. Just like Mr A and I who had managed to avoid it for over two years.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if your symptoms are similar to mine, and though I am feeling generally better I still have tremendous coughing fits.
Regarding testing, it took me 15 days to get a negative result so don’t worry if if yours takes a while, as well.
We had our monthly visit from the ONS Covid tester yesterday and this time, instead of answering ‘no’ to all the questions, we had plenty to tell her. She said more and more older people, who are fully vaccinated, are now resting positive and it is due to a BA2 variant of Omicrom which is exceptionally catching.
I shall be very interested to get the results of my blood test which will tell me how many antibodies I have now!
I so hoped Mrs P enjoyed that wonderful sounding, Steak + Kidney Pudding.
ReplyDeleteI brought back so many memories. This was a staple food in my childhood, but I picked the kidney out as I hated it and still do!
It is strange though, as I love liver.
I think that it was a staple food due to the suet pastry used. As such not as much meat etc was needed for the filling.
DeleteThis was an era of austerity also.
It was interesting yesterday whilst having a fantastic family day, the dreaded topic of covid emerged. There were 3 adults, all female, who have not yet succumbed.
ReplyDeleteIt appeared that these three only, have taken a daily Vitamin D3 supplement daily, since it all started.
I know that the latest info. now says that a Vit D supplement doesn't help - but actually does it?
My n-i-l who got the basic omnicron at Christmas and was -ve in 5 days, is now being referred to a Long Covid Clinic. He is having very many on-going health issues, so much so he is having to cancel his cricket coaching sessions. This is his income as is self-employed.
DeleteMyself , daughter, son and daughter in law have been taking a vitamin D supplement every day from early on, and have so far not caught covid despite my daughter having had close contact on 3 occasions with work colleagues who tested positive. It is now running rampant in our area so we shall see how things go. My handicapped brother in law down in the village has recently had it, but mildly. I dropped shopping on his doorstep and then retreated to a safe distance while he came out to collect it.
DeleteI wish him well.
DeleteThanks. Thought I would add the vitamin D is 1000 iu strength (Solgar). I also take an Omega 3 supplement as it is supposed to be good for the heart, memory and a variety of other things. I have nutravita's vegan one so that veggie son can use them as well because vegetarians can sometimes be short of omega 3, ditto B12.It is made from algae and after reading Cc's comment below I wonder if any comparison trial has been done between fish oil supplements and the algal ones.
DeleteI think that you would need to do a large double blind trial to get the answer to the vitamin D question Miriam.
ReplyDeleteYes I know what you mean as to the double-blind trial, which has not been done nor ever will be.
DeleteI just found it interesting, as to our vit D intake vs Covid infections. There was a correlation, however slight.
....and all 3 of us, have been taking exactly the same OTC brand of Vit D3, which again could make a difference, or then perhaps not.
DeleteThere are so many variables.
Mr R & I have taken a daily Bio - Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol 800 iu D - pearl every day for the last few years. They are from Pharma Nord and not the cheapest by any means but Dr recommended to me as a follow on from a special prescription dose for 3 months after my levels were found to be on the floor. I also take one per day of their Bio garlic tablets. Covid wise so far so good but we also still use a mask and plenty of hand gel (whilst realising nothing can totally guarantee escaping it as many regular bloggers are sadly finding out 😕)
ReplyDeleteI have found the comments about vitamins and covid interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy niece has had long covid now for over 6 months has been referred to the long covid clinic and is under the cardiac consultant . Her 8 year old daughter has had it for 3 months now and is just coping 3 mornings a week at school until 11.
My niece has Crohn's disease and is very conscious of the need for vitamins etc she and the children all take supplements. I often wonder if there is something in their DNA that makes them more.susceptible, niether her partner or son has the same problem, her son having had covid twice now.
Out of interest I take vitamin D as prescribed by my consultant and have to take 2000 Iu in the winter and 100Iu in the summer months
Is any-one having the same problem as myself - as to buying tomatoes. I have been to so many shops/outlets, but no-one seems to have normal tomatoes for sale.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this is due to location only?
Also I have noticed that tinned tomatoes are know also seem to be getting into short supply, as are the various cooking oils.
This seems "panic" buying starting again....but why?
It is the media!
I made meatballs yesterday, using low fat turkey mince, and cooked in stock + a tin of tomatoes, along with loads of veg. celery, onions, carrots, chopped swede, mushrooms and herbs.
DeleteThis will do me 5 meals, tasty and cheap. It is so worth the time + effort 😉
Sounds yummy, Miriam. I’m afraid I buy meatballs! Asda do nice ones!
DeleteI failed at Wordle this morning but Katy found on Twitter that many others did too and were lamenting the break in their run of successes! I only got up to 16 this time and will now have to start again in my bid to beat my record of 29 on the run! At least I am in good company as Paul Sinha ( one of the Chasers) tweeted that he hadn’t got it either this morning! I did succeed at Quordle though and so have scored one. I have only achieved 4 successive wins there previously!
Ev, I too broke my streak on Wordle today, much to my irritation (MrNuts got it but he’s a clever clogs scrabble wiz ) I managed Quordle up to a 30 streak now and I still have a clean run on my Nerdle so some compensation.
ReplyDeleteMiriam, I’ve not noticed any shortage of fresh tomatoes in local shops, I haven’t needed tinned or cooking oil so not aware of any shortages there.
I usually do Wordle at midnight, but have only now done todays.
DeleteGot the word pretty quickly, but wish I could understand the score card shown after finishing.
If any one can explain I would be thankful.
It tells you how many you have played in total, your percentage of wins, your winning streak which zeros each time you don’t get the word and your maximum streak, the biggest number of consecutive wins. After that it shows how many you got in 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 guesses. Hope that helps!
DeleteI failed at wordle today too. Unfortunately Mr PtbY got it on 6th attempt.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has rung to say that she will be coming to visit in August.
ReplyDeleteWhat happy news Sarnia something lovely to look forward to 😀 (so pleased for you)
DeleteThat’s really good news Sarnia.
DeleteHow’s your garden this spring. Has it been warm enough to sit in your patio?
That's wonderful Sarnia.
DeleteThank you
DeleteSoz : is there any way we can correspond privately as I do with a couple of others? I would like to respond to your questions but would prefer not to irritate others with my own personal enthusiasms.
DeleteWho could not love gardens, their design and growing things?! I wish the grass wouldn't grow so fast though, both my petrol mower ( for the rougher orchard bit and the track) and the electric mower for round the house went caput last week! The petrol one has gone off for repair, but the electric one has been declared totally gone home by my son who took it apart. I am wondering about going for a cordless battery one to replace the latter, but have no idea if it would be powerful enough. Having managed to cut through the cable before now a cordless one might be safer.
DeleteI expect you may have played the organ at Easter. It was the first live (instead of the occasional Zoom) church service I have been to in, I think, nearly two years and I found it really strange.
People can always skip over things in which they are not interested.
Although I do Wordle I far prefer Nerdle as it is less of a gamble.
ReplyDeleteMy friend's husband and I compare notes each day about it.
My friend chickens out of Nerdle.
Spicy Hope you’re fighting the “lurgy” with your usual spirit and both your son and yourself are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ev.
ReplyDeleteI got last nights ( todays) Wordle in three.
Depending on which first word you enter, it can be easy.
Well that’s it,
ReplyDeleteCruise cancelled!
Only 8 days to go before we embarked on our Baltic adventure and Mr A gets his first positive Covid PCR test from the ONS survey
So Saga won’t take us, despite the fact that our luggage labels & instructions about the time the car was coming to collect us, arrived this morning.
😞😔😢
Spend entire morning on phone (hanging on for 2 1/4 hours for an answer didn’t improve my mood).
Lots of negotiating, pointing out they have had a lot of our money for over a year and we finally
persuaded them to transfer us to a similar cruise in July 2023!
So something to look forward to next year “if we are spared “ as Mr A said!
Only consolation is that I can start growing tomatoes, cues etc in the greenhouse, pot up tubs and so-on, which I was going to leave until our return. Apart from that a bit of thumb- twiddling will be going on
What bad luck, Archerfile! Some years ago we were due to go on holiday and the day before Mike suffered a trapped nerve so I know how depressing it can be to have to cancel a long awaited holiday. Saga used to be far more helpful before they were taken over by the big boys so am not surprised you had difficulty this morning. We used to like Titan before the same thing happened to them! All you can do now is just to enjoy your garden and the better weather we’re having and try not to think about it too much! 😊
DeleteI don't understand, as to why you are already cancelled as to the cruise.
DeleteMr P could well be PCR negative before your departure date and so able to go.
Previously a PCR test had to be -ve only 48hrs before departure, so what has changed.
DeleteBecause Saga have been having a lot of Covid cases on their ships they recently made restrictions much stricter.
DeleteYou can’t travel if you’ve had a +ive test within 14 days of departure. You are tested twice (LFT and PCR ) at the dock& then every day on the ship. No going ashore on your own , only on conducted coach tours and anyone getting a positive test is isolated on board or offloaded at the next port and flown home. Anyone designated a contact (eg sitting near a Covid case in the restaurant) has to isolate in their cabin for 5 days! No going on deck for exercise & food left outside the door!
In fact, thinking about it, perhaps we had an escape and things will be better next year!
Oh Archerphile I’m almost lost for words! The health and holiday issues plus property problems you have had in the last couple of years or so beggar belief. Thank goodness for your lovely garden 🤞🏼it will provide the solace that you both need (along with hard work of course)
DeleteOn Easter Sunday, I saw the lemon tree that was a Christmas pressie for Big Sis + Hubbie. It had dropped all its leaves due to a sudden and unexpected frost, as the fleece had not be put around on that nighr.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to see new leaves sprouting very quickly, loads of flower buds appearing, and there were 4 tiny lemons starting to appear.
The Christmas Challenge was, and still is, to eat a lemon meringue pie, made with home-grown lemons.
I think that this will happen, as they both are enjoying the challenge 🍋🍋
Peggy + Kate living in The Lodge, so reminds me of To The Manor Born.
ReplyDeleteThey will be watching closely, as to what is going on, as GG is being transformed into whatever way.
I think binoculars will appear
I bet they will also be uncertain, as to thier own future living.
Wrong blog. Sorry. 😰
DeleteWe had a holiday booked for Cornwall at the end of May. We were finishing it off with a wedding down there followed by barnsdale gardens in Rutland on the way home. Due to covid, delayed eye op and our older dog struggling with old age and dementia I have cancelled everything today. It’s a shame but I daren’t risk catching covid at a large wedding before op and if Mabel went into kennels for 10 days I reckon it would be the end of her.
ReplyDeleteBack to it with wordle today, got it in 4
I am the same with an elderly pet, as to the kennel problem.
DeletePusscat would react badly I know, and as such I cannot risk it. This means no hols for me for a while..
I am getting so envious though as hearing about family jetting off.
My OZ niece is now in Fiji, others are off to Madeira, others doing a golfing hol. in Spain..
Me, nothing planned and can't do. 🙀
Sarnia, left a comment after yours of 20th 5.18pm.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice. I rebelled and bought an electric mower once I was certain that Mr S would not be coming home and my daughter taught me always to have the cable over my shoulder. I haven't had the energy to use it much, so the grass is left 'au naturel' while I deal with other priorities.
ReplyDeleteThe garden was almost divided in half by bulky Leylandii, which grew more rotund and cast more darkness by the year. I didn't want to get rid of them, a) because of cost and b) because I wanted to retain the structure, so I bought a small electric saw from Argos at Sainsbury's (SO useful, I don't know what I'd do without them) and got Nigel to strip off the lower branches so that they became small pine trees.
I have a greenhouse full of plugs waiting to be planted out next month to form ground cover.
There is now an echium, Pride of Madeira, on each side of the cypress tree.
That will be spectacular. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a blue echium. Does Cornish soil and climate suit them Janice, as that’s where I’ve seen them growing profusely.
DeleteMy brother in law bought a small battery operated mower. We were pretty scathing about it when he unwrapped it, saying it wouldn’t do the job properly etc. However, 2 years later it is still doing a magnificent job and is so easy to use.
Sarnia I am not alone in enjoying your posts about your garden. As Janice says, those not interested can skip them. I bore the pants off my daughter who does not share my enthusiasm for plants and gardening. This blog should include a wide range of topics to cater for the interests of our motley crew.
Also, Sarnia I miss your dry wit. I think we take ourselves too seriously at times.
DeleteOn another topic, I am pleased that BBC are dramatising Kate Atkinson’s amazing novel
“Life after Life”. I’m watching the episodes weekly rather than seeing them all on iPlayer which seems to be what you are encouraged to do now. I am rereading the novel at the same time. If you haven’t read it please do. I read it on my Kindle then bought the book as I was mesmerised by the intricacies of the plot and wanted the text in my hand.
Soz I haven't got an echium myself, but am tempted to try as I like blue and they are both wind and salt tolerant. They grow quite freely down in south Cornwall.
DeleteSoz, Janice :)
ReplyDeleteSarnia's Pride of Madeira echium, which I had to look up, looks spectacular and such a vibrant,true blue. It will look wonderful, as she has described.
ReplyDeleteI planted a wonderful acotinium, Sparks Variety (blue), last year and was so wonderful. Sadly it has not reappeared this year. I will replace it, as I will other plants which have also gone over the winter.
The most proliferant thing is my garden, are the weeds. I am fighting a losing battle, due to the neighbouring house nearby which has been empty since Dec. 2020.
The grass is high, as are the once well tended, flower beds.
It is a mystery as to what is going on with this property, as the council tax is still being paid, but it is not maintained.
To add, I have striped lawns again.
I am a bad PussCat owner.
ReplyDeleteToday I suddenly realised that her claws are getting overgrown.
I have no idea, how I hadn't realised that this was a problem, and feel upset for the neglect.
The earliest appt. for this simple task to be done, is May 3rd. What a backlog of appointments.
Waiting times for me are,
Delete8 weeks for an eye test
5 weeks to have normal blood tests at surgery
12 days to have a cats claws cut.
Also my annual hospital eye clinic appointment, has be re-done for 6 weeks further on...
It's Life.
One of our cats is polydactyl and some of the claws don't get worn down in the normal way, and sometimes it can happen in older cats that aren't so active. I clip Tiger's myself with a special pair of scissors. It is easy to do, just make sure you cut the top part off and don't go down into the quick of the claw. I learnt the hard way years ago when I saw our lovely old tabby cat was limping and one claw had grown long and curled round so it was piercing her pad as she walked.
DeleteKaty cuts the dogs’ claws and admire you Janice as cats can retract theirs so make it more difficult. Buddy hates this procedure and literally screams before the cutter is anywhere near him! We wonder that the RSPCA hasn’t been called out by our neighbours! When he has his jabs we have to tell the vet not to let him see the needle!
DeleteI have found that if you press gently down on the area just behind the claw the retraction is relaxed. A treat afterwards helps too!
DeleteA quick extra - the Dick Francis book "Proof" is now on 4ex with the lovely Nigel Havers.
ReplyDeleteWasn't he the Chairman of the Jury, in Helen's trial???
Am I right in thinking "Nigel" was also a jury member aka Graham Seed?
DeleteNot that this matters now, with the GG situation + redundacies for all the staff. 😰
Yes Miriam Graham Seed was on the Jury 👍
DeleteJust back from our family break in the Yorkshire Dales. Lovely scenery, good weather, and fantastic food with no major melt downs by children or adults! Visited RHS Harlow Carr for the first time, the spring flowers were beautiful. Now off to give my very thirsty garden a big drink.
ReplyDelete🤗 sounds lovely CC
DeleteEV “Happy Birthday” 💐 🍷 🎂 🎈 it seems from a recent post you have now caught me up - until October that is 😂 Any plans or a restful day with Katy and your dogs - either way enjoy!
ReplyDelete(Sorry for the birthdays I am missing and I am sure there are some)
Also Happy “St George’s day” one and all 🏴
Oh another St George’s Day birthday! Have a very happy day Ev, hope the weather keeps fine for whatever celebrations you are planning. 💐
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ev.
DeleteEnjoy your day.
Many Happy Returns Ev
DeleteThank you all! We went to the beach with the boys and had a lovely walk. The sand was powdery and although fresh with a breeze it was warm so very pleasant. Sadly we were just a bit too late for breakfast having had the compulsory birthday lie in so we came home and had a gammon steak and poached egg on toast! I had a potter in the garden and did two sudukos and now am resting as you do on your birthday! I share it with Prince Louis, Shakespeare and Hitler!! Oh well, you can’t win them all!! 😉 Tonight we’re having rib eye steak and Katy is cooking!😊 Happy birthday to any fellow Taureans out there!
DeleteSounding a great day Ev enjoy your meal tonight 🥂
DeleteHave just googled Hitler and his birthday was actually the 20th. What a relief! I was put in mind of it as we drove back from the beach as I saw a horse chestnut tree in flower. Mike used to say they called the flowers Hitler’ s birthday candles as they come out at this time of year and indeed do look like little candles. As I googled I found that Hitler’s father had been married before and had another family. There are now five descendants aged from 48 to 81 and they have pledged never to have children so that his bloodline will die out. He had a sister but she didn’t have children. As it said ironic as he sought to produce perfection as he saw it in the generations to come. What motivates these monsters?
DeleteEv, enjoy your day and thank you for the interesting facts above.
DeleteWhat a relief for you Ev that you did not have to share you’re birthday with Hitler! I feel the same as Putin is within 5 days of mine and I have no wish whatsoever to be associated with this despicable man 😥
DeleteHappy Birthday Ev...it sounds that you are having a great time.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy 🍾🥂🍹🍰🍨🍴
I have just heard that Little Sis has had a bid accepted on a new home in Suffolk. They gave up looking and withdrew from their sale in Norfolk, but a new property appeared on Thursday in their ideal location. They viewed on Friday and immediatly put in a full price offer. This was rejected due to a higher one, and so went to sealed bids today. They got it!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that I am not in this situation. It seems a nightmare.
How are Mrs P. etc doing with the home selling and buying??
It sounds so stressful.
On a different note - I feel quite smug today, as I have had a letter published in a periodical.
DeleteIt is weird to see your own name in print, and what I actually wrote many weeks ago now 🤷♀️
Well done, Miriam!
DeleteKaty bought some snuggle beds for the dogs some time ago. They are a sort of bag lined with furry fabric that they can cuddle into. They loved them so much that we bought one for my sister in law’s elderly Tom cat, Bertie. He loves it too and sleeps in it overnight. A lady called Nichola makes them at home and she can be found on Facebook. They are called snuggle cwtches (she is Welsh). I thought your puss cat would love one but that is all the detail I can give you I’m afraid.
I will look into this.
DeleteThanks. 🤗
Many years ago when I had a puss cat she had a fleece cradle which hooked over a radiator. Much loved as off the ground warm and very comfortable especially in the Autumn / winter time 🐈⬛ 🙂
DeleteI have looked at the Nichola Cwtch site and thanks for that.
DeleteMy pusscat just loves snuggling down in a "feather bower" on the landing with toys, which is on top of a CH pipe. Then she cuddles on the bed, beside me. 😽
Ours have their cwtch on the bed! Double comfort! Lady R, I remember seeing the radiator cradle. Very cosy in the colder months! Very much for cats as our two couldn’t jump that far and Dudley in particular is too well built and would cause a cradle collapse!
DeleteMany happy returns Ev. And hope you have a good year to follow. (My Canadian friend now living here has her birthday today too.)🎂🎉🎈🎁
ReplyDeleteI am going classical tonight. BBC4 ( after TA ), the Young Dancer followed by Swan Lake. A night of dance + ballet seems lovely and different and a change. 🩰
ReplyDeleteOuff.. 🇲🇫🇪🇺
ReplyDeleteSon was able to vote in his first ever Presidential election. He was chuffed and very proud to be able to do this, after having lived in France for 20 years.
DeleteFunny thing was, when he and his wife went to vote, she a born and bred French citizen, couldn’t………because she hadn’t filled in forms properly!
🙄😂 🇫🇷
I confess to being relieved at the result in France, I don’t think a LePen win would have been helpful in the current climate.
ReplyDeleteIn case you have not seen my post on the second half of the Ambridge page:
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that the Friday edition of TA returns on Friday 3rd June!
Maybe that’s why we been seeing new characters and the return of Kathy, the need to fill 6 episodes a week. I hope the quality and interest is kept up.
Is any-one like me, having problems with this new set-up?
ReplyDeleteThis is when posting, only the top half of the written words appear.
It is infuriating, but that means less posts from me.
I can hear the hurrahs ringing around.
I keep having to scroll up + down, to see what I have written and so correct, which happens after a shortly after starting to post! It's just happened again 😒
Delete