General Chat

The suns out at the mo and its lovely out there but I did get wet cleaning the girls out so had to wait for it to stop.

I'm pleased you were able to walk over to the fete and have a look around the stalls etc. shame you did'nt find anything to buy not even some raffle tickets? Its such a shame when it rains these things off. I seem to remember that when we had our fetes in Alphamstone we could take out an insurance for if it rained?

I too have been thinking of our Jane today it seems funny not to be sending out two cards. Its also William's birthday on St Swithen's day and I do hope it dos'nt rain that day.

I shall be glad when all this sport is over at least I don't have to watch it now but I do miss the motor racing and also like some of the horse shows and dressage.

So did you go to Irene's with your books in the end Anng?

Its was a funny thing as it was 8.24am when BIL turned up and I was waiting fo rhim to come in but he did'nt I went and looked out and there was no car so he had been and gone. He probably brought petrol down and put it in the old chickens shed. Anyway I was at the pc l;ater on and heard a car and it was him again I think he came for the cans the first time and then brought them back filled but this time I shot out the front door and caught him. I said to him why did'nt you come in the first time and he said he thought I would still be in my jim jams that early. Anyway he did'nt mow but did get the strainer out of the top filter box which I can't reach and we cleaned that and the big filter. I can now see the bottom of the pond whicvh is a first for this year. He also went and picked up all the brimble and weeds and nettles I had cut down the other day two trailer loads and dimped it round by the bonfire so that was good. I asked if he wanted some lunch but he said no as he was going to go home and have a sleep before going to collect the wife from work.

Cleaned out the big girls this afternoon and I missed Fatty Arbuckle so looked in the house and she has eventually passed away. I was going to ask if they would take her when I had the new girls but thought she may as well stay and live her life out here with the other girls. So now I am down to 5 and two of the new ones are broody so I have had two eggs today one brown one and one white one and I know which of the black hens is layingas when she went in the house after I fed them this morning I had chucked the two broodies out and she went in so I shut her in the hosue and went back later and let her out gave them some mash and shut the house up again. No doubt when I corn them they will want to go back in but they are going tohave a shock as I have put a bit of board up and the nest entrance with only a space fro one to get in there. I will let you know if it works.

I am going to post now but I have been copying it incase.

The rain stopped while we were having lunch so we grabbed sturdy shoes and waterproof jackets and trotted down the road to the field. It was wet and muddy but not the quagmire I expected. There were quite a few people there though not as many as usual and the ice cream van wasn't doing any trade. The number of stalls and cars selling from their boots was definitely down and there was no sign of the silver band. I suspect they may have cried off at the last minute but our local marching group were there, bless them. I would guess most of them are aged from about 6 to mid-teens. They had just started performing when we got there. A group of drummers did their bit and very good they were too, then the marchers came on with their multi coloured pom poms and did a routine. One or two of the littlest ones went the wrong way once or twice but that just made people smile. At least they didn't make them perform in their usual outfit of T-shirts and short skirts or they would have been frozen. Instead they had trousers and hooded tops with the group's logo. I didn't buy anything and feel a bit guilty as the Ladies Club run several stalls and run the refreshment room and I usually make cakes for them. I didn't do that this year as we were going to be in Norwich today. Oh well, at least I showed my face.

The wind is still a bit wild but it hasn't started raining again yet and we've even had a gleam or two of sun in the last hour.

Annx, I've never seen that clause in the Conditions of Sale before. When big items are being delivered there is usually a driver and another man with him to offload stuff. I wonder how someone living alone and perhaps disabled is meant to deal with a delivery. Perhaps you have to pay for a second man to accompany the driver.

I now need to get our dinner sorted as OH would like to finish eating by 7 pm so that he can watch the Tour de France highlights. He has motor racing recording and has been watching some Wimbledon this afternoon - and he isn't particularly "sporty"!

Afternoon All,

Very black clouds here with patches of sunshine between. The garden's had a good soaking at last though and now it's dry again. What a shame for the fete Vera and a good idea to wear some suitable footwear for if it's muddy when you go to show your face. When I discovered my wellies when we cleared a lot of the garage last year I chucked them out as I knew I wouldn't be able to get them on. Yes I always remember Jane's birthday with it being so close to Fitz's and mine. It was so sad what happened to her just when she had so much to look forward to. Thank goodness she didn't have to suffer the loss of her son too.

I nipped to the shop earlier and OH has gone to a match. They have started putting the yarn bomb up in the next village.

I had a shock when I started reading the bathroom place's Conditions of Sale. They say unless it is specifically agreed, the customer is responsible for providing adequate labour and facilities at the delivery points for unloading goods ordered by him! I need to make sure exactly what goods they mean as I've never seen that suggested anywhere before. We may be starting from scratch again elsewhere at this rate as we couldn't unload the items! I did ask how long it might take Mandy, but we got sidetracked with something else. I will make a note to ask next week when I go in. I suppose it depends how many men they send.

Yes, it's a miracle he didn't find a book to buy in The Works Mandy! It's only a small area at this garden centre though. The two others we go to are much bigger so he usually finds something in those. I like looking in the sale boxes too. You can find some good things in them. Have you filled a bag yet?

Yes, I couldn't understand what had happened to Emmerdale either AnnG. It's marvellous how they can bump other, longstanding programmes around so they can fit the footie in, even at the last minute. I know what you mean about sitting watching people. I used to love getting a magazine or the paper and icecream, then calling in a park with the carpark along the edge on the way home to sit and watch the dogs chasing their balls and the little children scurrying as fast as they can to the swings on the other side. There were nice shady trees along the edge if it was hot. Now the carpark is often crammed full with cars spilling along the roadside too with all the sports or events in the village hall.

I expect there are other jobs BIL can help with if it's too wet to mow Mel. So you have less eggs just when you wanted more with a new customer. Isn't it always the way!

I'd better finish the food order next and remember there isn't much room in the fridge since we went to the farm shop.

Do be careful if it is mussy Vera. Hope they still make some money anyway.

I'm not sure I can even get into my wellies any more, but I will put on a strong pair of lace-ups and grab an umbrella and go down for 10 minutes just to show willing. It's open till, I think, 4 pm so we'll go down about 2.

Well we needed the rain here but that is enough now. Hopefully it will hep things to grow.

such a shame about your fete Vera. will you don wellys and go there?

I really ought to find something productive to do but I did the lounge/dining room yesterday and the bathroom the day before. Oh yes, there are always the end Of June accounts to balance I suppose I could force myself to do that. Really I need to take the books that I had already read back to Irene but I don't fancy getting wet. Our forecast though for the coming week is not good. As usual we have lerched from no rain at all to non stop rain.

Still raining here :-(. The forecast is for rain and wind till early evening and then starting again in the morning. From an upstairs window I can see vans on the field so things are being set up for the fete which opens at 12 but I don’t think many people will turn up. Such a shame.

You should see my poor garden. Everything is bent over or flattened. I’m just hoping that when it eventually stops the plants will pick themselves up again. On the bright side we won’t have to do any watering for a few days.

It’s my daughter’s birthday today and it would also have been our Jane’s. I expect Chris and Hannah will be reliving some memories today.

Ah I found out the football went to extra time so Emmerdale was kicked off.

Morning all,

It was raining when we got up ,don't know when it started but the road had plenty of puddles, it's stopped now but we should be in for showers all day .

Ann fancy OH going in the works and not buying a book lol wish we still had our Works shop they had lots of bits and pieces in the craft section I use to love having a rummage in the sale bins .
So not long before you can sort out a date for the bathroom refit now ,have they said how long if will take to do it.

Vera hope its a bit drier your way for the fete as the others have said it's a shame when everyone has worked so hard to organise it and the weather lets you down ,fingers crossed if can go ahead.

Anng that was a nice surprise to have hour friend call in for a chat , I don't think emmerdale was on last night ,I'll be glad when this football is over so we know when the programmes are on .

Mel has bil come to mow , oh I shall how that song on my brain now , one man went to mow ,when to mow a meadow. Lol

BIL has just driven up.

Morning girls,

It was bright when I got up but since making my coffee its got a bit cloudy and pc is saying mostly cloudy and 11 degrees, I thought I was cold.

I don't think BIL will come today as it been raining in the night and last night in the evening and we even had thunder and lightening in the evening.

That was nice a friend came round yesterday evening Anng nice when something like that happens unexpectley.

Just the shop to do this morning .

Did I say another of the new chickens has gone broody!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats now two out of three layer who are suppose to lay through the winter. Just when I have a new egg customer too.

Good morning all. a bit showery and 10 degrees. Last day of watering two gardens, maybe if it doesn't rain I will be let off that. Tesco due this afternoon otherwise nothing planned. I will see how my leg is, if it is ok I will take the books back to Irene.

Friend came round for a chat yesterday evening which was nice.

Was Emmerdale on, I tried to see the recording but it seemed to not be on.

Was Emmerdale on, I tried to see the recording but it seemed to not be on.

Evening All,

It's been a nice, sunny day here, but has been raining this evening, nice steady stuff that will do the garden good and make the weeds easier to pull out.

I hope your weather for the fete will be better than forecast Vera. It is such a shame when people make such an effort only for people to stay away because of the weather. That's handy that your granddaughter can break her journey and also see other relatives on the way to you.

AnnG I am a shocker for forgetting what I've read or films I've seen or tv progs! OH hardly ever forgets these things, or so it seems, and often chuckles at my blank face. We'll be travelling somewhere and he'll say 'Oh we've been on this road before haven't we, there's a Post Office round the next corner'. He's always right. He has been known to buy a book he already has though, so he's not perfect.

Mel you have found a niche little market for your miniatures and they are obviously popular. It's good the scallops have sold and all the better for using the shells Gwyn sent you. It's an unusual bit of recycling. What a shame about the top and it sounds like you have to start again now. Have you thought about visiting the Affinity retail outlet at Bideford that has clothes shops? I would think it's not that far from you and there would be plenty of parking with it. I suppose although Barstaple is further, your BIL might take you there, especially if SIL is needing an outfit too.

We took the scratched baking tin back and exchanged it this morning and popped in the garden centre that's on the way back to look in the Works but didn't get anything. We were surprised the cafe was empty, so popped in, but were good and just had decaf skinny lattes.

This afternoon I called in the bathroom place again and spent an hour and a half going through things, but they came up with some useful ideas so more progress and we can soon get dates sorted out. The chap in charge of the fitters will be the same one we had before in 2006! He's a really friendly helpful chap.

Off to bed to watch my recordings now as OH said the times will be different but they are still on. He's obviously watching the footie. :-S

We often have similar weather to you Mandy but it hasn't been a nice day here at all. It did warm up a bit this afternoon but we've had rain on and off all day and this evening it has been bucketing down and the forecast is for light showers interspersed with heavy thundery showers right through till tomorrow evening. It definitely is not looking good for our fete tomorrow. It's held on the field at the bottom of our road next to the Community Centre but it's too big an event to move into the Centre which will already be used for refreshments and art exhibitions etc Local organisations, such as the library service have stands, then there are stalls selling things and a car boot sale over one side of the field. I think a local youngesters' marching group are giving a display and Colchester Silver Band are attending so there is a lot going on.

We were also invited to another event in Norwich tomorrow but I'm quite pleased we turned that invitation down.

What a shame that neither the trousers nor the top you ordered were right for you Mel. I hope you find something you like in Barnstaple. I went to Barnstaple a few years ago but hardly saw anything of the town as my brother and I spent all our time in the record office there researching our Devon ancestors. At least I think it was Barnstaple. I hope I haven't muddled it up with another town.

I haven't been sitting around all afternoon doing nothing yet, apart from preparing and cooking a meal, I can't really say what I have done. Perhaps I'll find a bit more get-up-and-go tomorrow.

Evening all,

It's been a nice day here with some sunshine, we were going to go into town this morning but we've both felt tired so decided to leave it until next week .
I think tomorrow is going to be a wet day so I think I'll turn out a few drawers and fill a bag or two for the clothing bank .

Mel your doing so well with your diet ,shame you didn't like the top you sent for ,your not having much luck with the things you've ordered but if you keep on losing weight they won't fit you ,it might be better to wait a while and when you feel comfortable with your weight order something then you've got a few weeks before the wedding .
Have you been through your wardrobe you might have something in there you couldn't get into that you could now you've lose weight .

Think I'm going to put the kettle on now I'm really thirsty .

Have you got decent shops in Barnstaple Mel. Better to go and have a loo, than rely on buying on line again.

Yes the pink top arrived but its very cheap looking, I thought it may be but it is cotton and much too long really. I think its going to be a trip into Barnstaple for a look around. The lady who did the alterations moved away to Newton Abbot I found out on Wednesday so not sure what to do now. May have another look at some more velour trousers and see if they have ones with slim legs and a length of 27 or 29 inches.

Don't feel like doing anything again today as its so miserable and raining.

I sold two lots of things on Ebay yesterday and one lady paid and the one who bought three lots did'nt pay. In my ads I put that I will combine the postage but if they are bidding on another thing at a later date I am willing to wait but they must message me to let me know. I sent the invoice again tis morning and asked if they would pay before 10.30am or I would miss the post van. They did'nt so I only posted the one parcel to the lady that paid. When I got back after being held up by the man cleaning the drains out and then I could'nt drive in my driveway as Simon had his van parked there but he came and moved it when he saw me. They were having a skip delivered and the roofer was there too. When I eventually got in the person had sent me a message saying he has bought something else and could I add it to the parcel. I said no as there was'nt any room left in the box I had done up anyway so I asked him politely to pay for it seperately and he did and paid the postage. I did up the tiems and put a ;little extra something in as he paid more postage. I do try to be fair with people.