General Chat

Vera, I had another strange night, I don't know if it the clocks going back or the effect of the vaccinations but my body seems to have suddenly decided to sleep in one or two hour 'shifts' with about 20-30 minutes in between. Last night though my legs were aching and then I felt congested the latter being the result of the nose op. And then I woke early got up and looked at the pc added a couple of bits, went back to bed about 0630ish and woke up at 0800..

Yes I got aggravated by the complaints that the fare cap would change and thinking that a lot of people on cheap fares are actually earning money. Then another think, and if the buses are more used because the fares are low that can only be good as, hopefully they won't decrease the number of buses.the whole idea is to keep cars off the road so if they put the cap up (bearing in mind that is £6 there and back), it won't be cheaper to get the bus than park the car.

I have just sent out a couple of photos.

Afternoon ladies

Grey and dreary here but it's dry and as there is not much wind it doesn't feel too cold. I didn't have a particularly good night but I had to get myself going early as I had an appointment with the hairdresser. After I got back I did the ironing and prepped the veg for tonight's meal. I've also done a bit of admin and some filing.

Didn't you have a good night either AnnG? You were posting very early on the Offal thread.

I like the sound of Wine and Wisdom Mel. I am sure you will have an enjoyable time and it's always good to get out and socialise for a couple of hours.

Mandy, the Manor House cake was a success and I've been told I can make it again. It cooked perfectly. The only fault with it was that it was a bit sweet for our taste. If I make it again I think I could cut the sugar down by an ounce without affecting the proportions very much and I might leave the sugar off the top. We won't get the nice crunch but it will make it a bit less sweet.

OH has poodled off to Homebase to buy something or other he wants and, unlike Annx, I'm not watching the budget. I might get too angry. I got cross enough constantly reading about how terrible it is that the £2 bus fare cap was going up to £3. Some of us have never had a £2 cap. Recently when I had to get a bus before the time I could use my pass I had to pay £3 to go just a couple of stops

I've just heard OH come in so I'd better go and see whether he got what he wanted, whatever it was.

I got back from town about 1.15, I have seen bits on the budget but nothing much. whatever happens I think the cost of living will go up. She can't increase the minimum wage and expect employers not to increase cost to consumers.

Morning All,

You were up early compared with me Mel! I think you will enjoy Saturday night as you know some people and if it's a quiz you will be joined up with others. It's a good way to get introduced to new people. I must say I wish we'd had a seperate caravan to live in when we were doing my old house up. It would have been a lot easier having somewhere clean to cook and keep clothes when we were knocking walls down and fetching plaster off the walls with all the dust everywhere. It will give your neighbours a bit of a break and rest to go abroad too and they will have recharged their batteries.

We are watching the budget this afternoon, but I'm going to do more of my beading at the same time as I get bored with all the jeering etc and just like the facts. I shall decamp to in here if I get fed up! lol.

It looks dull and dismal outside, so I might clear out the fridgefreezer later and give the kitchen sink a good clean. The boiler man is coming on Monday and said he would also have a look at the mixer tap for me.

Morning girls,

Another grey day here this morning but no wind so it dos'nt feel cold out its 12 degrees and pc says 6% cloud. Don't think the suns going to put in an appearance today at all.

I am sure there will be lots of people I know there on Saturday and some I have never met but with having the fetes and things on the front field I do know a lot of people.

Had a lie in this mornng did'nt get up till 9am.

Morning all,

Very grey and dull here but not feeling cold out ,I just nipped out to bring the bin back in and I didn't need my jacket on .
Shopping day today ,tescos and aldi .
Anng thats good you've got your new dryer, Grundig yes a blast from the past, can't remember what Grundig product we had now ,might have been a television.
Better get on I need to get hoovered round before we go out.

good morning all, very grey and dull here but 12 degrees. Probably going to catch a bus into town as my watch needs a battery (It stopped while we were away).

It will be good to get out on Saturday Mel, you will have different people to chat to I am sure you will enjoy it. Is it a quiz? Difficult at first as people you are normally with won’t be there. But you will make new friends. Enjoy it.

I did do mini's yesterday and varnished some and today I did thier bottoms so once dry completely they will go on Ebay with other things.

I am sure we had more than one Grundig appliance possible the telly and a radio and maybe the tape recorder reel to reel that dad had. We also had a radio in a case that we used to take down the caravan at St Osyth when I was young I can remember dad always had the play on it on a Saturday night I think. Do they still do plays on the radio now?

I wish my docs would do two months scripts at a time but they won't.

Janine came down just after half 4 to bring my plate back and pay for the eggs they had a week or so ago. Today her hubby had to go to the docs as he has a nasty blister on his hand which is getting bigger. She called it something but I can't remember what said it was infected. He could have got a splinter in it or some with doing the work on the cottage. They now have the electric in but are going away in the van till after Christmas as she said its just too cold in the van in an English winter so they are going abroad and touring around ending up in Spain. They are living in the van now while soing the house up.

I have booked to go to the Wine and Wisdom at the village hall on Saturday night but don't know who I shall be with as the couple I went with before arn't going and Janine and Simon are having family come and friends from Barnstaple so they have 6.

Well I better get something to eat but I don't know what, maybe pasta out the freezer I think I have a mac cheese in there so that'll do.

Evening All,

A cloudy day with bits of sunshine here today but no rain. I slept quite well and was up early to go to the hairdresser. Then I called at the shop for some bits and the paper on the way home. OH had a call and has his hospital appointment a week tomorrow. I'm pleased it is at Market Harborough and not at city hospital. It is on the way I go to see Fitz, is right next to the entrance and has it's own small carpark which is free, so is far less hassle than going to the city hospitals.

Well Mandy stirred me into action with sorting her freezer and I went in the garage yesterday and had a good sort out too. Some things were two years old, some with no date on them! The bin men came this morning so it was good timing to do it yesterday. Luckily being frostfree there was no scraping to do. Now I need to do the same with the freezer section of the fridgefreezer inside.

I am lucky in that I get 2 months of most of my meds, but one has gone out of kilter somehow and ended up on a different date. Also when the surgery adds another long term thing they don't seem to sychronise it so all your meds are ready for repeat together. Our surgery used to have your meds prepared in a paper bag ready for collection, but they don't anymore, so you have to wait ages while they do it, which means more queuing.

Oh Gwyn what a surprise to see the Narcissus so advanced! I do love them and the scent they have. You will have to keep an eye on them to see when they are fully open.........before Christmas at this rate.

You've managed to get lots done Vera, so be careful not to upset your back! I hate these newer mattresses that are so heavy to move and have vowed my next purchase will be lightweight. We couldn't even move the bed in another bedroom to plug in a light without emptying the drawers. Maybe we should have hammocks! :-D I hope the cake turns out ok.

That's good you have the new dryer installed AnnG and have been able to test it. I expect being a new one, it probably is more efficient than the old one and will use a bit less electricity which is a bonus. It's a good guarantee for it at 10 years as well. Grundig was a well known name I remember too. I hope your Geraniums take ok. They will be a nice addition to your garden next year if they do.

Mel were the leaves still too wet to use the new hoover thingamyjig? It's good to have a lazy day sometimes and I expect you may have done more with your miniatures.

Your appliances have done well Vera. My Grundig tumble drier was 8/9 years old but it was used consistently 2/3 times a week. I never hang anything out now although Ibdid used to. I do remember Grundig record players etc. I think in the past I have had Hotpoint appliances. There did used to be a lot fewer manufacturers of white goods to choose from. Now there are loads.

I associate Grundig with radios so I think we might have had one when I was a child. I can't keep up with all these different manufacturers who are forever changing hands. Grundig has been owned for sometime by the Turkish organisation that owns Beko and part owns Indesit/Hotpoint. I think there are 3 or 4 different part owners of Hotpoint and you are right AnnG. Whirlpool own the European arm. I've had Hotpoint appliances since we were first married and never had a problem with any of them, but it seems to be the luck of the draw. My washing machine and tumble dryer are both about 10 years old and my dishwasher about 5 and none of them have ever needed any attention. I've probably jinxed it now and they'll all break down tomorrow, lol.

Gosh, that is early for narcissus Gwyn. They must be in a very sheltered spot. You've reminded me I must get my bulbs out from where they are packed away and decide how many we are going to use in the pots. They do make a lovely display in their pots in the garden but they take such a long while to plant up. As you said Gwyn, it is lovely to have such a good social group here. We've always helped each other where needed but the problem is we are now all growing old at the same time. 2 of our ladies and 1 man have sadly died in the last 2 years and 2 other ladies are in dementia care homes now. My OH is very good about driving people to hospital appointments etc but he is one of the older ones in the group and, though he seems fine at the moment, he won't be able to go on driving for ever.

What a two and eight at your pharmacy Annx. You certainly shouldn't have to go 3 times to pick up your meds. I've noticed that our pharmacy is employing a number of young people rather than the middle aged staff they used to have and some of them don't seem to understand the system in use at all. Gwyn is lucky to get 2 months at a time. Our surgery will only sign off a 28 day prescription. The only time we can get two months is if we are going to be on holiday when the second lot are due.

I had a good night last night. I hope you have a better night tonight Gwyn. My back is still painful but I can't sit around doing nothing. That's just not me. I'm managing with just an occasional pain killer. I've washed the sheets and pillow cases that I didn't do yesterday though the duvet covers will have to wait. I've also done various odd jobs round the house and I've made a cake from the recipe Mandy sent me. Mandy, I didn't put in the optional Greek yoghurt but I did add another tablespoonful of milk as the mix seemed to need a bit more liquid. I decided I'd try it at 150 degrees on my cooker. I cooked it for an hour, put some foil on the top and did it for another half an hour, then tested it. The centre was fine but there was a little spot near one side that was still a tiny bit sticky. That might be to do with my floor being uneven so the cooker slopes slightly backwards. I turned the tin round and gave it another 15 minutes. We haven't tried it yet but it looks and smells good.

yes, pleased with it. If I could have got another one I would have stayed with Grundig, I have to say, together with my Bosch washing machine and dishwasher I have been very impressed with the make (even if it is German). As the tumble drier was being sourced for me which worked out to be a very convenient was for me to do it, I went with hotpoint. My one reservation was that Hotpoint are owned by Whirlpool, the company that owned all the appliances that caught fire. But Paul assured me that had all been ironed out.

I remember the name Grundig too. My brother had a Grundig tape recorder, the old spool to spool sort.

No I hav'nt made any Christmas themed miniatures this year but have sold a collection of Christmas bit in a job lot and need to put another one on there.

Grundig is a name I hav'nt heard for years ad it took me right back to my younger days. I can hear dad saying that word I think we must have had some appliance with that name, a telly comes to mind and a radio.

So you're pleased with the tumble dryer then.

One item missing on my order but no subs.

Gwyn that really is early for narcissus isn't it? I know you always see those few early but surely not in October. what a topsy turvey worls we live in now.

Tumble drier arrived, was installed and old one removed by 0930 and already one load dried and it seems good. Another load in now. I did a wash to be ready for when it was installed, not a large one but big enough for a good trial. first through it was a large bath towel took about the same time as the Grundig.

All I have done other than that is take 8 geranium cuttings, pot them on and they are in the conservatory.
Arms were only painful one day after and mainly only the one I slept on. Both are fine now.

also did some admin bits on the computer including registering for a free 10year guarantee for parts for the tumble drier. 10 years being a bit optimistic (for me not the tumble drier).

Good morning all.

I too had a strange night and have been awake for hours. I'd obviously had enough sleep for a while, so unwillingly stayed awake, after a bathroom visit, but it's not enough sleep to see me through the day :-|
AnnG, I hope your arms are getting more comfortable. I had my Covid vaccine on Saturday and it's been painless.
I trust your new machine arrives and works well. With gloomier weather here, I know you will put it to good use.

Annx , I hope your pharmacy buck their ideas up and become more efficient. It doesn't sound very helpful if you have to keep going back and still have poor service.
I've stopped trying to fathom out how our system works.
The repeat prescription process is actually not too bad and the doctor signs for 2 months supply of tablets at a time. The pharmacy is less than 50 yards from GP surgery, but the request is zapped up to Maidstone electronically for it to be made up at the 'hub' there, from where the prescriptions in sealed plastic bags are sent to the various pharmacies within the county by van, including our local one many miles from the hub. For some reason, one of my repeat tablets are never included in the plastic bag and are dispensed by the pharmacy,popped into a paper bag along with the 'hub' package for me to collect them.
How this saves any time or resources beats me :-S

Vera. Hopefully you will have rested well after your really busy time and now have less pain.. You got a lot done, maybe too much in one go, but there is a great temptation to just get on with it, when you see something wants doing, I think it's great that you have a thriving social group there. How lovely. A good chat together does wonders for one's well-being.

Mandy, You did well defrosting your freezer.You will be all ready to tuck away any extra foods for the festive season. Do you freeze any of your baking?
We have a chest freezer too and I'm sure there are probably some forgotten items in there, which need using up.I prefer fresh vegetables, so may be a soup-making session is called for here to make use of the few items of frozen veg.

Mel, No you don't need another Robbie requiring food :-)
Are you making any Christmas themed miniatures this year?
Will you make the Advent wreath for the church again and then the individual ones you usually make?
I remember last year, I think it was, the birds took most of your holly berries before you could use them. There seem quite a lot of berries on the holly trees around here this year, but we don't have so many hungry birds as you do!

Yesterday, I was walking in our local area and was surprised to see that the early narcissus in one garden already had leaves about 10 inches high. I was even more surprised when I looked closer and saw that there were large flower buds formed on some stems:-0

Morning Anng and all,

Grey old day again here its 13 degrees and I am hoping it may brighten up a bit today. I don't like these dull dreary days it dos'nt make you want to do anything just sit around indoors.

Shopping comes today and my driver is Robbie!! I hope he dos'nt want mealworms too its bad enough with my resident two who fight so I don't need another.

Slept quite well but lay for a while before dropping off again after a visit to the bathroom.

Good morning all hope you all slept well. I had enough sleep but brain seemed to think I needed a five minute rest from sleeping every hour/two hours, very strange.

I have Paul coming with my new tumble drier this morning, he is picking it up first thing and will be here at 0900. so I am up and dressed to get a good start on the day.

Vera you obviously overdid things by changing two beds at once. That is one of the most tiring things I do, changing my bed, so much more difficult doing it on your own.