General Chat

I spent two and a half hours this morning transferring all the stuff back from the garage to the shed. More or less straight now. Plent of room in the shed as it is larger than the old one but it makes it easier to see things and get around the lawn mower. At the moment all the pots are still in the plastic 'greenhouse/tomato house. They would take up a bit of room if I put them back in the shed.

Afternoon All,

Well we were up early this morning as OH had a call at 7.00am to say his car was already on it's way. They had decided to drive it back rather than use the transporters and it was here before 8.00am and looking spotless inside and out!! They will ring later for OH to pay the excess over the phone.

Mandy we had frost this morning, but the sun is shining now. The garage had topped up OH's car, but it didn't need much. At least he had used some of the fuel in the other car, but he will put less in if there's another time! I would find driving an automatic very strange too! I don't even like the stop start on OH's car where the engine stops if you stop the car for a couple of minutes. It feels like it has stalled. You can disable it, but once you turn the engine off, it it has switched back on again next time you start the engine.

I remember Janice's niece lived at Tewkesbury and was flooded, but I didn't know Janice lived there. I thought her niece had probably moved after getting flooded. I have a feeling Fitz mentioned Cheltenham as having a place they'd identified where he could meet up with them for meal. He already travels that way from time to time to visit other friends as well.

We spotted some crocuses in flower in the next village this morning. Pretty yellow and purple........Spring is on it's way. :-D

The tiled floors are calling for a hoover and mop so I'd better get on.

No Mandy definately Janice and Larry and their grandson and possibley the daughter.

I met Janice, Jane's sister when they both came down to see me before dealing with an estate of their aunts I think.

Morning all,

Nice bright sunny morning and we had frost again .

Oh Ann thats a lot of fuel your losing out on maybe they will give you a little money back as they must have known it was nearly empty and you would have to put some fuel in ,so OH got on ok with a automatic, not sure I could drive one so use to a manual one .
That's sad Chris had Christmas on his own but maybe he just needed that time in the house before the move to just remember the family times they had together and he needed that one last Christmas there.

I thought it was Jane's niece that lived in Tewkesbury as I know Jane said they had been flooded out a couple of times .

Ah Mel, now you say that I do remember because Jane and I were one day going to meet in Cheltenham when she visited Janice. Yes she was very near the river, I hope she has moved and was not caught in the recent floods that were very bad in Tewkesbury. (I am about 9 miles from Tewkesbury. How could I forget that?

Morning all,

Bright and sunny here this morning pc says 4 degrees so very cold with it.

Janice lived in Tewsbury and it was near the river as she was always worried about it flooding again.Perhaps thye moved too. Larry worked in a nature reserve if I remember rightly.

good morning all bright here this morning but really cold only 2 degrees. It is not easy knowing what to wear when the temperature goes up and down like a yoyo.

That will be a nuisance to lose all that fuel Ann, especially as they had given a much longer time for the repair. good way to get their car filled up!! (Not that they did it on purpose I am sue ;-)

Not sure what I am doing today I had thought of going to Cheltenham or doing a bit in the garden, either of which doesn't need to be cold. I will have to see how I feel after shower and hair wash.

ah well Ann, Gloucestershire is a large county so they could be anywhere. Not to worry I was just interested.

The car they brought was empty Mel. The dial was saying nought as we got to the garage down the road. OH put £49 of fuel in thinking he'd have the car longer. I was hoping we could go for a spin somewhere in the morning to use some of it but they won't ring till 9.00am as they apparently don't allocate transport till then. We could go somewhere after then if they aren't bringing his car back till in the afternoon. I doubt they'll fill his car as it was nearly full when they collected it.

Yes, I was glad the nail grew out AnnG. I remember it being quite tender where some shoes pressed on it and when cutting it, so I can imagine what you mean about yours being a nuisance. Fitz has never said where in Gloucestershire they have moved to, only that it is a short distance from where Jane's sister Janice lives. I can't remember if Jane ever said just where Janice lives either so not much help!

It is good to have a nice long post to read Ann.

Lucky your nail problem was only temporary. It is a nuisance to have to put up with.

Do you know the area of Gloucester they have moved to? I hope they are all happy and settled now.
Wow that was quick for your car repair. After Vera’s problems quite a surprise..

Its not hard work reading your posts Ann we like to hear what you've been up to and thanks for the info on Chris it must have been a really strange Chirstmas for him this year what with the move and only Hannah left in his family.

Its a good service G had with his car if you can pick it up tomorrow. I hope he's please with it. Perhaps he could mention about the amount of fuel he put in the the car that was on loan, they may fill his up or does the one that came to you have a full tank when it arrived?

Afternoon All,

It's 9 degrees here now but the breeze is picking up and it feels much colder. Hubby decided it was too cold for standing out watching footie last night and stayed in and watched recorded footie instead.This morning we popped out for more practice in the automatic, but OH seemed fine with it and I must admit the ride is a lot smoother than his gear changing! We called at the big Co-op about 3 miles away as it carries a bigger range of things and I bought salmon, onions, meditteranean veg and mushrooms to do a traybake which was very tasty.

I can understand AnnG and Vera using a chiropodist as I had trouble with a couple of toenails in the pandemic that were a devil to cut and painful because of thickness and crumbling. I may have said, but the nurse just tested for fungus which it wasn't and didn't even let me know. By then they were beginning to grow out at the top more normally and I reallised it might be my thyroid meds being too high, as I'd lost a few stones in weight. They'd already reduced my meds after a recent routine blood test and that was when the new nail started to look better. Now they are fine.

Oh Vera I hope your btm isn't too bruised and that you haven't set your back off. I have a stool on wheels I have to be careful with.

I'm sure 'somebody else' will appreciate you sorting it AnnG and we ought to sort more regarding our funerals. I'm wondering whether to look into one of those plans where you arrange everything beforehand. The solicitor has lists of our accounts, but I still haven't given the doctor a copy of our POAs. He said we should do that so our doctor knows who to contact if we turn up, clearly incapable!! Cheerful thoughts eh!

No-one in the press has pointed out that NIC could also be due if under pension age and the earnings from trading were sufficient. The Revenue can go back years to collect what is owed in both tax and NIC. Even if profits are close to the threshold in a year, it's advisable to keep records of income and costs with evidence. I imagine some traders may also be selling elsewhere like markets, events etc, but haven't registered as self employed. Because making the internet platforms report sales is a cost effective way of identifying these self employed traders, it saves money for the taxpayer in it being followed up in more costly ways. If people have gaps in their NIC record, they may not be entitled to NIC benefits or a full state pension. Another cost then to the taxpayer when they claim social security.

I agree about Snowdrops Mandy. We have a couple of small clumps (Mr Hackett dug up a nice spreading clump in the front garden, mistaking them for rampant grape hyacinchs!). I have planted some bulbs (very late!) in a pot this time in the hopes I could put them higher up somewhere where I could see more of them when they flower. I think it is a bit colder where you are as we don't seem to be getting frosts here just now.

What a surprise, OH has just had a text to say his car is repaired, new door and sill fitted, sprayed to match and valeted and they are bringing it back tomorrow. :-) Can't complain at that as they only fetched it on Monday! Pity he put so much fuel in the courtesy car though!

Fitz has been in touch. The Rose family plus Thomas are all in their new homes in Gloucestershire now. Chris's move was delayed a month over Christmas and the New Year and despite Hannah wanting him to spend Christmas with them in Gloucestershire, he couldn't be persuaded and spent it alone at home instead. I don't know, but maybe he wanted to be alone with his thoughts for a while. He's been on his own since James passed away and perhaps a busy Christmas in a strange place with many relatives and young children seemed overwhelming. I hope he settles in ok as he seems quite an introvert and the opposite of Jane, but Hannah seems to be a driving force like Jane and will keep an eye on him.

I think Fitz had about 19 people staying over at various times during Christmas and the New Year. I know he finds it quite exhausting (who wouldn't?) and would prefer a quieter time, but he said reluctance didn't seem to dissuade anyone from coming! Anyway, he said the septic tank overflowed two days after Christmas and he thought those that were staying might hastily depart and those yet to visit might quickly cancel, but no such luck! Also they managed to get someone to sort the septic tank within 24 hours, so at least that was good.

I must stop writing so much. It must be hard work reading it all. :-S

Iv'e only fed the chickens and wild birds after doing the post van with some admin and two wee parcels. Had lunch of homemade soup and a banana sandwich and now I am going to corn the chickens and feed the wild birds again before they all go to bed.

I ventured outside to put some of the stored shed stuff back in the new shed from the garage but gave up after a few trips as it was so cold. Might have another go later. Just spent an hour on paperwork, the really cheery job of updating places and people to be notified in the event of my death and also redoing funeral arrangements for me. Not a pleasant job but hopefully will save somebody else having to do it.

I don't think we had much of a frost last night. At the moment it's 8 degrees but feels colder as it's cloudy and a bit breezy.

I had a better night last night so have been a bit livelier this morning. I decided it had better be a h/w day while I've got a bit of energy so I've had a general tidy up, have hoovered right through downstairs and swept out the conservatory and got rid of a load of cobwebs in there. I've also washed a load of bedding. Where on earth does all the washing come from? For two of us for a week I did 3 loads of clothing on Monday, a load of towels yesterday and a load of bedding today.

Isn't it lovely to see all the spring flowers coming through? We have hellebores and winter aconites and one or two primroses in bloom and also a beautiful pink viburnam shrub that blooms before the leaves come. The early daffs are growing well and will probably bloom before too long. I also love snowdrops but we don't have any here. At some point we put a few under the trees at our old house and they had begun to spread nicely by the time we moved. They must be beautiful by now if the people who bought the house left them in.

Nothing more to report and I can hear OH clattering around the kitchen so I expect he is getting lunch so I'm off downstairs to eat.

Morning all just,

Heavy frost over night but when I got up it was gone. Its 9 degrees here but feels much colder. My car was white last night when I went to bed and I went earlier last night got up for the loo and could'nt go back to sleep finally woke at 10am and I had to be up the post van. Anyway got there on time.

Mandy if you want to enjoy a few snowdrops facing upwards float the flowers, just the flowers in a wine glass of water. Mine are all out at the mo and I must take a pic. I have two daffs out up the orchard but one has been knocked down by something. My Hellibores are flowering and they are a musky pink.

Not sure what I shall do today so will see how the day progresses.

Morning all,

It was very frosty here when I got up for the loo in the night the car was white but when we got up about quarter to eight it had mostly all gone ,now its cloudy but bright so I hope we get to see a little sun today as it makes you feel like doing more .

I have quire a few snow drops out ,pretty little flowers such a shame they hang down so you can't see them properly.

Good morning all dull here again but 6 degrees no frost last night. I am up late, went back to sleep, had a good night really. Nothing planned for today anyway but had better get on.
Vera, yes feet feel more comfortable. Maybe female (can I say that> chiropodists are more touchy feely than male?

Good afternoon all

It's very dark and dreary today and, although it's 7 degrees, there is a cold wind and it feels quite a bit colder. It also looks and feels damp everywhere although it hasn't been raining. Still, as I keep reminding myself, it is January and we should expect cold and rain or snow.

Do you feel as though you are walking on air AnnG? I have problem feet as well and also go to the chiropodist every 8 weeks. Mine has recently gone up to £39 but she spends at least 30 minutes on my feet and finishes with smoothing in some nice cream. She even puts my socks back on for me :-)

Congratulations Mel, you are doing well with your sales. Just be a little bit wary of our beloved Inland Revenue. I am sure you would be OK but they have been known to classify as traders anyone who sells online regularly, even when it's their own home made crafts.

Mandy, don't worry about your cataract assessment. As Annx says they don't do anything painful or unpleasant. Just make sure you have someone with you as you probably won't be able to drive for a few hours after they put drops in your eye.

I had a smile at Mr Hackett, Ann. Crewcut and Hackett sounds like a dodgy second hand car place ;-) I can cope with Mr Crewcut using the secateurs as I have a chance to stop him before he does too much damage . It's when he disappears into the garden with the electric hedge cutters that I start to tremble. I think you are right to stop putting bread out for the time being. You certainly won't want rats in your garden.

I am still sleeping very little and consequently I am not feeling very lively during the day. Yesterday I managed to fall off a stool in the bedroom. I was only sitting on it so goodness knows how I fell but I landed on my rear end on the floor with a heck of a bump. This shook my back up again, just as it was feeling a bit easier. Talk about one thing after another!

One of the clubs we belong to had its annual dinner last night and I didn't feel much like going but I enjoyed it once I got there. It's quite a small club with about 22 members and 18 were there last night. We shared a taxi with our friends M & V. V has various disabilities and is no longer allowed to drive, M is recovering from an op and is not yet able to drive again, I can't drive at night which left OH to do it again and it seemed unfair that he wouldn't be able to have a drink so we went for the taxi option. In fact none of us had more than 1 drink anyway so he would probably have been OK to drive. It was a very pleasant evening and I expected to sleep like a log, but no such luck :-(

I went into town to pick up my meds and they were all ready for me. Then I called in at Roy's to get some cards. They used to do basic cards at 50p each or 3 for £1. I didn't usually get those but often got nice cards for about £1 each. Now their cards are the same price as places like W H Smith. They've gone upmarket quite a lot. I saw a Radley handbag there today for £239. I wonder if they are trying to compete with the "better" stores. If they are I think they are wrong. Their strength lies in providing reasonable quality stuff at affordable prices, particularly at a time when many people have less disposable income. Still I assume their marketing department know better than me.

I have just had an email to say that my friend's funeral that was 3 weeks ago cannot be put online as planned but the funeral director had video'd the service on the mobile phone of the daughter of the deceased. He has managed to get that into a form that can be shown and I've been sent a link so I am going to watch that now.

Unfortunately my feet don't get any pampering, just the toe nails filed and cut. But my nails are horrible. When we used to go swimming at a leisure pool at quite an up market hotel, I caught athletes foot and it affected my nails so much so that they have never got back to normal and continually thicken from under the nail. they are also very tender which doesn't make for a relaxing procedure when he files across the whole nail. It is a ten minute job and costs me £27 and I have it done every 8 weeks. Been going to him over 25 years now.
still it is a necessary job to have done as no way could I care for my toe nails myself

I had a look round M&S and did see a sweater I quite liked but my Sparks card is on a phone app and once again it would not open the app in store and I didn't have time to faff around so I didn't buy the sweater.

Afternoon everyone,

The sun's just peeping through here now and it looks much more cheerful. I slept well last night and we decided to nip out to Ullesthorpe Court and have one of their fish finger buns with salad and home made coleslaw for an early lunch. Our friend Sharon was serving so we got extra Biscoff biscuits and a chat about her trip with the grandchildren to Lapland at Windsor before Christmas. I think she was just as excited as the grandchildren were. It sounded really good though as there were hardly any other visitors, so no queuing anywhere, and the chapel was open.

It sounds like Em's hubby likes old motors too Mel. My neighbour at my last house kept his new car outside so he could garage a rare model of an old Vauxhall he had. The person who bought my last house had the garage roof made with a pitch and had a winch put in so he could keep several old cars in it with one hoisted up into the roof above the others. That's good you have more sales of your makes. They seem to sell very well.

I bet your feet feel nice after a pampering trip to the chiropodist AnnG. I can still do my own at the moment, but they seem to get further away from my hands or my middle doesn't bend as well as it did!

I hope you had a better night last night Vera. Sometimes after poor sleep it can take a few nights to get back into a good pattern again. Sorry to hear about your cousin's husband passing away. Like you say we seem to hear sad news like that more and more as we get older.

Well after a practice trip to the shop OH was ok with the automatic car going to his meeting last night. Very strange though that the switch for the lights wasn't on the steering wheel stalks, but he managed to find it before he set off. It's a brand new car, a bumpier ride than either of our cars but the heater in it seems much better than OH's car. The repair place rang within 2 hours of collecting OH's car to thank us for the great photos we had taken that they requested and which had enabled them to order the parts early. Also to say they had already examined the car. They will ring on Thursday to let OH know when the car will be ready to deliver back to him, probably early next week. Fingers crossed they are right!!