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Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
MiriamJune 11, 2022 at 4:15 PM
ReplyDeleteI know what so many others mean, re the going for scans along with the closed in spaces. Part of this has to come down to pure fear, for both the process and the results, which causes real anxiety + panic, as I well can relate to.
My trick is to imagine lying on a sun lounger, in sunshine, on a beach with palm trees overhead, looking at a beautiful blue sea with white sands, with cocktail in hand.
It helps 🍹 🏝
REPLYDELETE
MiriamJune 11, 2022 at 4:22 PM
Go to your Happy Place, and concentrate on that. I have just told mine, but others might be so very different.
I will be in a similar place soon 😔
DELETE
HilaryJune 11, 2022 at 4:53 PM
Thank you, Miriam, for your suggestion. I wonder... perhaps if I actually drink the cocktail beforehand instead of just imagining it that migh work even better!
A doctor friend said if it's not a full body scan it will only be about twenty minutes....ONLY?!!!! I shall certainly need a long list of things to try!
DELETE
Spicycushion
Lady RJune 11, 2022 at 7:06 PM
ReplyDelete“Bach Rescue Remedy Spray” used 3/4 times a day prior to your appointment and on the morning of the day itself may help Hilary. Just pop 2 sprays onto the tongue I always keep some by. A relation flew to England from Australia and was a wreck about flying back mentioned BRRS and she could not believe how well she was able to cope with the return journey when it arrived. Maybe auto suggestion but either way it worked for her.
I thought my motley assortment of roses so carefully arranged was nicer than a picture of a scanner.
ReplyDeleteI’ve had various scans on my back, luckily I haven’t found them too bad, It was less cramped than I expected
Thank you, KPnuts, for saying that the scanner was less cramped than expected. 🤞
DeleteVery pretty KP. Are they from your garden?
ReplyDeleteLove the roses UP.
ReplyDeleteYour real roses look lovely KP.
ReplyDeleteThank you for picking up the cudgels.
Still no words from Gary.
A bit like Miriam’s neighbours.
So lovely you can take and use your own photos here KP.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was a great advocate for Rescue Remedy so I tried it before a long dreaded dental visit. I’m honestly not sure if, or how it worked but the appointment didn’t turn out so bad as feared and I am a lot less anxious these days than I used to be. Breathing exercises help too, I find.
Thank you, Lady R, for the Bach Rescue Remedy Spray suggestion, and Archerphile for your encouragement and the breathing suggestion. I shall defintely be trying everything!
ReplyDeleteFans of the Dune books/film will know the Litany against Fear. When up against bad situations it was considered helpful for the characters to repeat it to themselves. I tried it the last time I went to the dentist!
ReplyDeleteHere is a shortened version I used but you can look up the longer one:
"I will face my fear,
I will permit it to pass over me and through me,
And when it has gone past
I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone
There will be nothing.
Only I will remain"
Or shorter still:
"I will face my fear,
I will let it pass through me.
When the fear has gone
There shall be nothing.
Only I will remain."
Someone called Alison Escalante wrote an article analysing why the litany is good psychological advice.
DeleteThank you, Janice. I will attempt to memorise at least the shorter version. It will be a good mental exercise to keep the grey cells active too!
DeleteThere is a great deal more to the Bach remedies than the well known Rescue.
ReplyDeleteI was very involved with, and treated by, the Bach remedies for a period of several years, and used them to help me through a number of difficulties.
I also used the Australian remedies for a while too.
The rescue remedy is useful for, and is designed for, sudden emergencies when little else that might be helpful is unavailable.
If the subject is of interest it is worth reading about. I imagine it’s on line.
And it might not be known generally that the use of the remedies in animal care is widespread.
That sounds very interesting, MrsP. Thank you.
DeleteA week after The Jubilee, I have to say, how I love the sketch by Eleanor Tomlinson with HM The Queen leaving with Paddington.
ReplyDeleteIt was priceless Miriam 🤣 I have watched it many times!
DeleteI was referring to a wonderful drawing by this sketch artist. She draw a wonderful, yet poignant, item showing HM hand in hand with Paddington, leaving. This showed the back of them both, with a corgi following draped in bunting along with marmalade sandwiches on the ground behind them.
DeleteI believe that the artist has been inundated from 1000's many wanting to buy a copy.
Ah yes saw that too 😀
DeleteI have posted before, there is a problem renewing my computer security system, which I can't still do.
ReplyDeleteI am re-thinking this, so I am going to let it lapse and then change things.
I can't say why, as it political and the source.
Oh what bliss, watching the highlights of Sunday’s Test match on BBC2 while eating roast dinner on our laps in front of TV. I was cheering between mouthfuls and so pleased to see Joe Root smiling again as he scored his 150. And also the lovely scene when he ran right across the pitch to congratulate Ollie Pope on reaching his 100 and giving him a big hug.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful day too, how I would have loved to be at Trent Bridge to see all this in person.
Are any others like me, suddenly becoming really aware as to the increasing cost of living?
ReplyDeleteI am finding that I am shopping far more sensibly + carefully, along with using my wash machine + oven, far less than previously.
I am back to "padded out" meals, ie adding lentils pulses, beans into meals, so that a pack of sausages or 400g of mince, now does 6 meals, along with loads of veg.
My Mum taught me well.
Archerphile - I must apologise because when I saw the Test Match highlights yesterday I certainly saw blue in the cricket team 'whites.'
ReplyDeleteNow you have to remember that I only watch with one eye so I had been disadvantaged before!
I have an appointment with the eye department in Maidstone to see what can be done.
So now I have four consultants to visit! Jon is taking a day's holiday so that he can drive me there as I can't drive. I'll have to buy him a beer or two!
Anyway I am about to set up TMS so I get the cricket on.
And I’m sure you’ll enjoy it Spicy, whatever colour the boys are wearing! But like you, I do think an England team should have something of the red white and blue about them somewhere, especially in Jubilee Year.
DeleteGood luck with all your consultant visits, I do hope they can sort something out for you.
At last the temparature is increasing, with lots of sun and no high winds -which has ruined my poppies yet again! This happens every year when they flower, so as per usual, are now flattened.
ReplyDeleteI am having a lovely meet up tomorrow. This is with big Sis, a niece with her daughter - my lovely 2 +1/2yrs grand-niece. She is just a real cutie and a "living doll". She is so petite yet talks so perfectly, that a true conversation can he be had..
As a matter of interest - I have noted that my silly posts, show a posting an hour earlier than these were actually done.
ReplyDeleteIs it my set-up???
I am posring this at 16.44pm.
On old time then Miriam pre BST does your phone, computer not automatically change?
DeleteI still just can't understand this anomoly.
DeleteThe 'phone I now use is one I obtained, just 6 months ago. It is a fancy 5G one, and is very up-to-date, as to time etc.
It's the blog that doesn't.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm no cricket fan but have to say what a win for England!
ReplyDelete👏👏👏👏👏👏
DeleteI think it’s just that Google Blogspot hasn’t adjusted to British summertime. The same is happening to my posts and I use Apple iPad. But it’s not really important is it?
ReplyDeleteNo, it isn't. It was just a thought that is was an personal problem relating to my device.
DeleteNow I know that, it'd fine by me.
See entry at 5.07pm.
DeleteThe time issue occurred during setup I couldn’t find a UK setting so it’s called some weird central adjusted zone or similar. Sorry if anyone thought their devices were out. I might have another go in settings at some point to correct it, when I originally set this up I was focused on just making it sort of work.
DeleteWas that Central European time? I remember that from crossing the Med, when you're in a different time zone nearly every day, so you get less and less sleep.
DeleteWhilst creating my evening meal, which is a "stretched sausage" casserole, containing cannelleni beans, tomatoes, celery, onions, swede, mushrooms, herbs, stock, to be served with pots, brocolli, carrots, cauli - I came across the 1st episode of To The Manor Born.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten how brilliant this was.
Miriam, you say about the cost of shopping going up. If you made simpler meals with not as many ingredients I think you’d find it cheaper.
DeleteMiriam how excessive, if you have beans why the sausage ? Surely a waste of electric if you have to cook all those vegetables, unless of course you use frozen.
DeleteDon’t forget Miriam usually makes “blocks” of meals so this cook up may have produced 4-6 servings 🤔
DeleteThat I understand Lady R, but to be served with indicates fresh veg and who cooks fresh veg to then be frozen?
DeletePoint taken I was thinking of the casserole part 🙃
DeleteA niece who is 33yrs, is now suffering from Covid for the 2nd time, even though she is up to date with all her vaccines. She is really poorly and still +ve 7 days in, far worse than her previous infection.
ReplyDeleteWill this ever end?
I think Covid is going to be around for a long time Miriam.
DeleteI was somewhat disgruntled this morning, I failed my Quordle so broke my streak of 86 grrr
ReplyDeleteThen the cafe where I was having breakfast was so slow that I left after just my coffee, how long should a bowl of granola & yogurt take to prepare? I wouldn’t have minded if they had said up front, as it was I waited 10 minutes for someone to take the order , 10 minutes later they brought the coffee which I would have preferred with the food, & after another 10+ minutes I got fed up with waiting so paid for the coffee & left.
Feeling better now, despite a bit of an ouch at the garage after service & MOT
Re Cow Girl's and Proud to be Yorkshire's recent comments.
ReplyDeleteI think Miriam's post of 13th June at 5.53pm explains that she batch cooked these ingredients and made 6 meals (one of which she had on the 14th June - describing it as "stretched sausage"), served with loads of veg. This sounds very sensible and economical to me.
Thank-you.
DeleteI prefer fresh veg. to frozen, but that's my choice only and no more costly.
I still stick with what I said. I appreciate that Miriam batch cooks, The casserole had 5 veg in it to then cook a further 4 veg does not seem economical to me, particularly when Miriam was trying to be economical it isnt just the ingredients its the cost of electricity or gas that counts too.
DeleteIt did seem a lot of different veg but if that’s what she likes -great! I rarely have more than 3 different ones but we do have to have veg at each meal! Tonight I have made a broccoli quiche with shallots in it and we will have potato wedges and mixed peppers. It should be very colourful! It has been extremely hot here today and the boys had to have their cool coats on for the walk this morning.
DeleteIf you remember, my brother passed away in February. Since then my sister in law has not been well having urine infections and being difficult to rouse from sleep and confused. The medics say it is dementia as she is over 80 but more likely it is a mixture of grief and confusion due to the infections. She lives with the elder son who is autistic and doesn’t cope well so the burden falls on his younger brother who is married with a young daughter. He is at breaking point because of the stress of all this and has been signed off work by the doctor. They need support and I have suggested approaching Age UK and the Autitic society. I am too far away to help and my younger brother has his own family problems with two young men in the family who have been badly affected by the break in their education. Sometimes there is no answer and I am torn between interfering too much and not being supportive.
On a lighter note, KP I greatly admire your quordle score having never achieved a run of more than 8! The consolation is that your percentage win is kept up. Before your post I was very proud of my 55%! I have a run of 30 on wordle which is of course much easier!
Oh Ev what a very sad family situation. I feel for them all. Like you I am sure grief is playing a big part of your sister in laws health issues. I also feel very much for you for the reasons you have given 🥰 Do hope you are able to pass on some better news at some point.
DeleteI wonder why some like to discuss me with others, in such a personal way??
DeleteI was going to tell all about my lovely day with family, but to keep it simple, it was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a lovely day Miriam.
DeleteSuch gorgeous weather for your family meet up Miriam 👏🏻
DeleteI’m glad to hear you had a lovely family day Miriam.
ReplyDeleteEv I am so sorry to hear about your family, it is upsetting when you can’t give the support you would like to. Certainly approaching Age UK & the Autistic Society seems a good idea, but sometimes just being a sounding board or sympathetic ear is much appreciated.
That is so true KP 👍
DeleteThank you, KP and Lady R. It does help to share things.😊
ReplyDeleteRe cost of fuel and cooking I normally use the Rayburn, but if I need to cook things in a hurry by using the electric cooker then I have a steamer that will take 4 containers one on top of the other. I put things like carrots or swede that take a while to cook in the bottom ones and put quick cooking things like peas in the top one. There is also a solid bottom container for cooking sauces or custard which can go on top. So by using just one ring I can cook all my veg at the same time. The water in the pan underneath I either use to make gravy or, when it has cooled, put it on my herbs outside the kitchen door so none of the goodness is wasted.
ReplyDelete
DeleteJanice ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I also use a steamer, which can have up to 3 tiers, on just one hob, on a very low heat. The veg also don't get "waterlogged". I also know when to turn the hob off, so the residual heat finishes the cooking. I cook rice or pasta - in the actual pan.
DeleteIt works well for me.
Ev, I empathise with your family problems. Having had elderly parents with various health problems while having three children to care for I understand the difficulties. It's important to try and get get as much help as possible.
ReplyDeleteRe the cost of fuel we're making more effort to use our electrical appliances when the solar panels are generating well and batch cooking. That won't help when the weather gets colder as our heating is gas. Hopefully won't be as bad as when we were students in the early 70s when all the strikes and power cuts were happening, 4 students in a freezing cold flat with only candles for heat and light!
Ev I wonder if either or both Mum and son with autism are receiving attendance allowance and if not could you perhaps access the relevant forms to send them, or point younger son in the right direction. This was done for my handicapped brother in law ( brain damage when lorry hit him at 6 years old, but able with help to live in his own place near us) and the allowance helps pay for a support worker who visits to assist 4 half days a week. We also organised for Wiltshire Farm foods to deliver meals on a fortnightly basis. The drivers are very kind and as part of their job pack the meals away in his deep freeze. I agree with CC that it is important to get as much help as possible. I feel so much for your sil's younger son. I too know what it is like to reach the point of utter exhaustion.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice. Have texted David to see if either of these are in place. I had forgotten about attendance allowance. We got the lower rate for Mike helped by Age UK. He certainly needs help and both having a support worker and having meals delivered would lighten the load. I know he was worried about the possible cost of help but of course attendance allowance would alleviate that. Many thanks!
DeleteAbout the cost of energy; after resisting for ages we finally had a smart meter fitted by Southern Electicity last week. (They bribed us with £50 off the next bill if we agreed to have it fitted)
ReplyDeleteWell I almost wish we hadn’t, it terrifies me! Came down this morning and it was on Green, costing 1 penny an hour to run. Presumably for things like the timer on the boiler and bedroom clock radio.
I switched on the kettle and it zoomed up to Orange and 85p per hour, put an egg on to boil, on the hob and glory be - Red and £1.20 per hour! Goodness only knows what it will cost to do a full roast dinner or run the washing machine. It certainly makes you aware of just how much electricity you are using, which I suppose is a good thing, but I don’t like it.
🫣
I’m with you. I always said we couldn’t have a smart meter cos we’d end up with no heating or lights on! In this new house there was one which just tells you the whole cost of what you’ve used. I keep it behind a basket in the kitchen turned towards the wall. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
DeleteI have smart meters, and I have done so for very many years. I was in the intial roll-out of these meters, so mine are quite ancient. All I do is to to take the gizmo out of the drawer, plug it in once or week, or perhaps just monthly
DeleteThis is to just keep an eye on costs on a general basis. The benefit for me, is purely accurate readings, so accurate billing.
I just read my meter every month and send the reading, my bills are therefore accurate .no need for a smart meter
DeleteCowGirl.
DeleteThe difference is that this this is done automatically, so the onus is not on the constant and personal input. My smart meters cost nothing, so no problems.
We've got smart meters. Quite a saga to get the gas one working originally - I gather they'd had a faulty batch. But gas meter #3 seems to be doing it's job. At first it told us crazy prices - £4 an hour to run a single hob at one stage! But then it settled down and started being a little more realistic. So Archerphile, yours might also be having teething troubles.
DeleteThere again, my in room display isn't currently working, having been switched off for a while, it decided it was out of range of the meter and I haven't got around to getting them talking again - so I haven't checked what's going on recently.
The way things are going, we'll all be back to using windmills and water wheels soon!
I absolutely refuse to have one. I am economic any way, it drives me mad when the children come as they leave the lights on and I have to go round switching them off. If I want hot water upstairs I use the shower and in the summer downstairs I have a small heater attached to the sink, in winter I use the wood burner to heat my hot water. My biggest expense is my computer !
ReplyDeleteWe are all different - and so it should be.
DeleteAbsolutely.
DeleteThe only difficulty in refusing a smart meter is it restricts your choice of supplier, I did however get a good deal last November and unusual for me I took out a 2 year contract, so I am fortunate. I did check and the company are not likely to go bankrupt, but you never know.
Cowgirl, the original first generation smart meters tended to be tied to a fixed supplier, and became dumb if you moved. The current second generation ones are required to work even after you switch.
DeleteWe switched companies a few years ago - pre smart meter. Electricity was easy, gas took ages, apparently because our supplier wouldn't sanction the move. After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, it turned out that the meter registered to 123 Footwear Lane was actually installed in the Scout Hall around the corner (on church land). Once we realised that our shoe boiler required our full address, St Clark's Vicarage, 123 Footwear Lane, the move went ahead much more smoothly.
Ev, I feel for you in so many ways in this difficult situation, for both you and your family.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard what to do next.
I understand that this is your Sister in Law, so she has she has different family members, who could also help out?
She came from a family of 7 and now there is only a brother and sister left. The sister is very kind but older than her and the brother has cancer but I’m not sure about the prognosis. There are numerous nieces and nephews so maybe there could be help there but I don’t know that part of the family well. I could moot the possibility to David. I know one nephew is the only child of Kath’s older brother now with his wife deceased. I met up with Lee at the funeral and he is a lovely chap so maybe possible. Even if they could drop in occasionally it would lighten the load.
DeleteIn sunny N. Wales yesterday, I caught the sun. There is no pain, just a red arm which has swollen up today and ice pack is doing good!
ReplyDeleteHad a lovely day at Dunham Massey with an old school friend today. The rose garden was looking magnificent apart needing a bit of dead heading.
ReplyDeleteI’ve had a happy domestic day, mainly in the kitchen. We’ve got friends joining us tomorrow for Verdi’s Macbeth at the Grange, so I’ve been preparing our food. I’ve done cheese straws & tomato/feta whirls to nibble along with olives & nuts before the start. During the dinner interval we’ll start with chilled pea & mint soup, then home cured gravadlax & rye bread, then blue cheese & asparagus tarts with salad followed by peaches cooked in masala with mascarpone cream all washed down with English sparkling wine…… I am looking to seeing our friends who we’ve not seen since New Year & enjoying the Grange, it is a bucolic setting & the weather forecast is good.
ReplyDeleteMind you I don’t feel like cooking supper now, MrNuts will have to make do with cheese 8 biscuits!
Sounds delicious perhaps we could join you !!!
DeleteHow about MrNuts cooking supper ?
Wow lucky friends! Enjoy your concert at The Grange 🎼
DeleteCan I come………PLEASE! 😋
DeletePlease save me a piece of the blue cheese and asparagus tart! It all sounds great.
DeleteAs we are talking food I thought I would add this recipe for an elderflower summer drink which my daughter has made and we have been drinking in the sunshine. An Austrian friend of mum-in-law gave us her Emmerberg grandmother's recipe. It is very simple:
ReplyDelete7 elderflower heads, making sure they are from a nice smelling tree.
The juice of 1 and a half lemons.
5 tablespoons sugar.
3 pints of boiling water.
Place all ingredients in a basin and leave for 2 days, then strain and bottle or drink. We tend to double the quantity. In hot weather it is nice with added ice, but if cold it can be warmed.
She also gave us an elderberry jam recipe. I have a special hardback recipe book that I have used over the years to record family/friends recipes in, whenever possible written by the recipe givers themselves, and it is nice still being able to cook things that came from people now long gone.
That sounds like a simple enough recipe, I’ll give it a go, we have rather a lot of elder in our garden, I made elderberry jam a few years ago, lots of seeds & not a huge amount of flavour, maybe I should try your recipe
DeleteOMiaS made elderflower cordial once, I'm afraid I'm not a fan!
DeleteBut I do have a recipe for very easy lemon squash that I ought to start making again. I tend to use rather less sugar that the recipe states - it certainly didn't suffer from lack of sweetness!
The elderflower flavour is probably a bit like marmite, you either love it or .....
DeleteThe elderberry jam recipe is again a very simple one but I have never tried it ( possibly because when young I tried eating the berries by the handful and was promptly very sick!)
1 lb of elderberries
1lb of sugar
Some lemon juice
Water.
Pull berries off the stalks. Cover with water and boil for 20 minutes. Add lemon juice to help it set. It can be mixed with other fruit such as apple or plum, but always keep to the ratio of 1lb fruit to 1lb sugar.
Had a lovely time in the Food and Farming tent at the Royal Cornwall Show last week because there are always samples of new foods to try. Prince Charles and Camilla also seemed to like that tent. They spent so much time there he had to rush to fit something else in before presenting the prizes in the main ring. I was surprised at how fit he was, he passed us at a cracking pace and easily keeping up with the taller officials and security men accompanying him. Mabel was pleased because she got a good photo of him to send to her sisters on Facebook to show her mother, also ones of the sheep shearing and ferret racing 🤣. For those who like dresses Camilla had a very nice summery cream ensemble on, and she seemed to take a real interest in the traders and their products.
OWiaS are you going to give us your lemon squash recipe or is it a secret? Lemons are so refreshing and the simpler the recipe the more I like it. Can I bribe you by saying I will add it to my special recipe book and say it is the recipe of OWiaS. That will really puzzle whoever ends up with it after me! 😊
DeleteOr if you prefer, a sycamore key to a secret garden where silver nutmegs and golden pears grow.
DeleteBlinking heck. Just been whatts appedd by Canadiad friend up the road. Three of her drumming group have gone down with covid and she is in bed today feeling ill. She is the friend who adamantly refused to have the vaccines - don't ask! We decided the subject was to be avoided. So I am now off to do some shopping for her, and to drop off a tester, some of my vitamin Ds, apple juice as a cleanser and pineapple juice as an anti inflammatory. Just glad she realised before visiting me as planned for a walk this afternoon. She is the fittest 80 year old I know ( mother lived quite healthily until 102) so hope the daft ha'puth is alright.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that the vaccine was successful in taking away the horrific side of covid. Although it is still around it is not so serious and we can start to enjoy more freedom to socialise and live a normal life again. I have no patience with those who refuse to have it. They put themselves and other people around them in danger. Nevertheless, I hope your friend will get through it.
DeleteFor in danger read at risk. Danger is maybe too strong a word!
DeleteThe trees that I planted along the bridle path last autumn are dying from lack of water. I dont walk down there very often so hadnt realised, today I took water down in the wheel barrow and will do so again tomorrow. I am particularly disappointed as I planted 3 purple beech, if they dont survive I shall have to buy some more, not that I shall live to see them in all their glory, the others I can replace with seedlings that I am growing.
ReplyDeleteHope that they survive Cowgirl, I really like beech trees both purple and green.
DeleteIt is very quiet here today. The boys have gone off with the dog walker and she is keeping them overnight in preparation for the week in August when we go off to Italy. Buddy is fine with it but as I said before Dudley does suffer with anxiety so hoping he will be OK tonight! He just needs to know that he will come back home! Katy and I are taking advantage of it and we are having a meal out - just about the first time since covid! We’re going to an Italian restaurant, Michelangelo’s, in Ryde. The food is very good and I have had lunches there. We don’t mind leaving the dogs at home when we go out but it means we can take our time and enjoy it! I am paying for this from a win I had on the IOW lottery recently. The lottery supports local businesses especially the setting up of them. There are a lot of small businesses here and the islanders are very enterprising!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your meal tonight. Italian isod of choice, as there is far much more to it than just, pizza + spag. bol.
DeleteI have spent many a time in an authentic trattoria, and all I ate.
That should read -Italian is my food of choice..
DeleteThe dogs will be fine 🐶
We had a lovely meal, mine pasta with tomato sauce and duck followed by a baileys ice cream which was very light and mousse like containing chocolate chips! Katy had chicken and a similarly delightful dessert. The prices were reasonable, the service very good and the surroundings pleasant . The restaurant is close to the Solent so nice views. As Miriam says there is much more to Italian food than pizza and spag Bol! Our waitresses were Italian so it was all like being transported to Italy!
ReplyDeleteYes, the boys were fine and after a few barks Dudley settled down and slept all night thank goodness! We are now all systems go for Italy as long as our flights go ahead. We are booked on EasyJet. At least now it looks as if in the event of cancellation we will know in advance. We need to keep clear of covid too! Uncertainty yes but not nearly as bad as it was! Further to Dudley, last night the Red Arrows did their thing overhead for the festival. We texted Hannah to see how Dudley was and she said he was barking but was OK. The fact he didn’t get too stressy over that which could have escalated into bedtime panic speaks volumes about his gradual calming down process. He will always be barky to some extent but I have found he does respond to the quiet command and when he does stop an emphatic “Good Boy” seems to please him!
Last but by no means least, my sister in law had a fall in hospital unfortunately yesterday and hurt her shoulder and pelvis. They thought they might have to operate on the pelvis but found there were just hairline breaks which will heal themselves. She is in pain when she moves but it was a relief that she doesn’t have to undergo an operation. David has accepted now that he can’t do everything so will be reaching out for help. Sean, the autistic one is now on his own but as he is a loner doesn’t mind that. David is calling in twice a day and encouraging him to do things. The problem is that Malcolm and Kath with the best intentions have always done everything for him so he has learned to rely on others but he isn’t so bad that he is incapable and hopefully with David’s encouragement he will be able to live more independently.
So that’s all my news! Have a happy Saturday everyone!
Apart from your sister in laws very unfortunate fall thank goodness other help is going to be sought. Must make you feel better to Ev.
DeleteYour meal sounds great and such a lovely setting 🤞🏼 now for your Italian break ✈️☀️
Ev. It is no wonder Dudley reacted to the Red Arrows, as who doesn't due to the noise, when they fly over.
DeleteGood Luck with your S-i-Law, as to the help now needed and required.
My favourite Italian meal meal is:- Fegato alla Venezia.
Sadly, this cannot be sourced in the UK, as it uses veal livers, and veal is a no-no!
Veal liver is lovely too. Can’t understand the aversion as in other European countries they have famously been kept indoors in crates so that the meat is white. We don’t mind pink meat here so this bad treatment doesn’t apply. Male calves are often killed as they are not needed anyway. I seem to remember Vicky in TA trying to save them. Lamb is accepted here although usually about6 months old so the calves could be about the same age. I don’t know enough about all this so maybe Cowgirl could tell us more. That is just my take on it.
DeleteAs mine.
DeleteDon’t know about anyone else, but I found it very hard to sleep last night with the high temperature and mainly, the humidity, which is so debilitating.
ReplyDeleteI was very surprised yesterday to find our raspberries ( usually a late summer variety) are ripening already and need picking. Unfortunately I can’t get to most of them due to the mass of waist high nettles, grass and weeds growing in the fruit bed (well, it’s more of a huge patch really). So it will have to be out with the Strimmer today or they will all go to waste.
The gooseberries are also nearly ripe and blackcurrants too. Too much of a good thing really!
We had the tower fans on in the bedrooms which helped enormously. You can’t help worrying about the cost of electricity though. Ooh, Archerfile, summer pudding with cream!
DeleteI thought I would flag this up to the gardeners among us who might not be aware. The last few times I've cut back my Buddleia I have had an extreme coughing fit, but when cutting it back yesterday I had an extreme reaction and found it hard to breathe - it was a frightening experience. My daughter looked online and found that the dust generated from a Buddleia can cause this reaction and the sap can cause blisters and burning rashes, so it's something to watch out for.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning! We have several large Buddliea in our garden that need a lot of pruning every year. Not been affected so far but it may depend on the time of year you are doing it I suppose.
DeleteI would warn agains any contact with hogweed. We have a lot that infests the wilder areas of the garden and it produces a sap that, if it gets on you skin, is activated by sunlight to produce an extremely itchy rash that causes large blisters. Mr A was affected over 30 years ago whilst strimming the orchard and the scars on his arms and neck still react if he goes in the sun without sleeves. Lethal wretched plant.
I think you may be mixing up Hogweed and Giant Hogweed, it is the latter that is poisonous and can it certain circumstances cause blindness and is often referred to as our most poisonous plant, needless to say it is not a native plant.
DeleteYes, I did mean Giant Hogweed Cowgirl. We took a sample to the local hospital when MrA needed treatment for the blisters and they identified it.
DeleteIt often grows thickly along riverbanks but we seem to have a lot growing in this area, just in the roadside vergesand hedgerows. It didn’t present so much of a danger when the verges were mowed every year, but since the council has stopped doing that we see quite a lot of big plants along the lanes around here.
We have warned friends and neighbours. As I said, as Mr A still has many scars on his arms, 30 years later which flare up if exposed to sun
Moral of this tale - always wear eye-masks and cover all exposed skin when strimming, you don’t know what may be lurking in the undergrowth!
Flipping heck Patricia, never heard of such a thing. Deffo worth noting.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the heat last night, we have a ceiling fan in our south facing bedroom but also I got some white mesh that attaches to your window frame so I can now leave the window wide open, even with the light on when reading, and no insects can fly in. It’s brilliant. Got it off Amazon. Put some across up to under the window handle, then another lot coming down and over the top of that by a bit so I can put my hand up and open the window. It was lovely and cool.
I shall bear that in mind Patricia when I cut back my Lilacs, though they havent flowered yet,thank you for the advice
ReplyDeleteWe are much more behind here in my part of the country, no soft fruits ripening as yet Archerphile
Since the fox took my chickens they have been confined inside until I could install electric fencing to keep it out and them safe. The posts finally arrived and it took me three hours to sort it out and hooked up the the battery, then it wouldnt work ! Fortunately my neighbour was an electrician he looked at, it cleaned a few junctions and it was working, the hens are now happily digging away in my garden . Im not so happy. but at least they are safe, hopefully soon the yolks of their eggs will return to their bright orange colour .
As I sit looking out of my french windows I can see my neighbouring farmers Tups munching away at the fresh grass in Emeralds field, he has sheep with their lambs in the field opposite and I love to see the lambs chase each other and run up the little hills and then jump, a couple of the lambs have managed to find their way out and can be seen scampering up the road, fortunately a single track road with very little traffic .
Patricia C: I prune buddleia in early spring and cut back in autumn after flowering. I'm asthmatic and suffer from skin allergies but have had no problems with it.
ReplyDeleteI do the same Sarnia and, thanfully haven't had any problems with it. My daughter got a really bad rash after pruning some ivy.
DeleteAnd handling hyacinth bulbs, then touching my face- intensely itchy red rash. Always use plastic gloves now when buying and planting bulbs.
DeleteSince I eat to live rather than the other way round food interests me little and I am happy to eat whatever someone else gives me.
ReplyDeleteHowever on Thursday my son and daughter in law were coming to the UK from Canada so rather than meet them at the airport, I decided to order Afternoon Tea at the Hotel overlooking the Thames on Richmond Hill where they were staying
The ambience was lovely ,the service was pretty good (although usually one is told what the sandwiches contain.)and the view was stunning
However.,perhaps you foodies can tell me whether I had a right to feel disappointed.........
1) The English breakfast tea was pale grey and tasteless.
Why don't they do Yorkshire Tea?
It is by far the best
2) The sandwich fillings were so skimpy that it was impossible to see whether a particular sandwich contained Coronation chicken(ugh) or salmon.or egg or cheese.
3) The scones were small, cold ,dry and broke easily when taken off the plate
We each had individual pots of jam but there was only one blob of cream between us and no butter
4) The cakes were the sort a young child might enjoy because they were all very colourful but sickly
I do quite often write what my son calls an "old biddy letter" when something pleases me.
I feel like writing to tell the Hotel where they are going wrong -or is it me?
I would be interested in your comments.
It doesn't sound the best of an Afternoon Tea experience.
DeleteWhat amused me was breakfast tea, being served in the afternoon.
All I can is, if you were dissatified then give your feedback to the hotel. In my opinion, constructive criticism is always welcome, rather than a proper complaint, as others might not be so bold.
Do as your heart says.
Sounds very disappointing to me Lanjan. It’s such a shame when places tend to trade on the setting only and not produce the full experience one hopes for.
DeleteMr R has yet to use his big birthday gift of afternoon tea at The Audleys Wood” Hotel in our neck of the woods (no pun intended) A gorgeous old building and have had tea and biscuits there a few times times over the years, especially when Mr R was in nearby hospital for long periods of time and I was visiting twice a day saved going home! so I know what you mean about the tea. They bring a sample box to show the choice I always say the strongest one please but even then….I believe the Queen likes a strong tea 🤔
Often the posher the hotel the more disappointing the tea etc can be. Yet a small quirky family owned tearoom is often spectacular…..
I sadly am an Earl Grey Tea lover in a proper china cup, but for afternoon tea only...but that's just my taste.
DeleteOn the whole it sounds very disappointing. You should have had lashings of cream preferably clotted with the scones but you do need decent scones! Butter isn’t usual with jam and cream but they must have been dry with sparse cream! It probably wasn’t cheap and I would be inclined to give feedback! Definitely afternoon tea not breakfast! The best afternoon tea I ever had was in South Africa and we didn’t even have to dress up for it as they are so casual over there!
DeleteYou are right LanJan, I should have been very disappointed too. I’ll give an example of the afternoon tea you get on a Saga Cruise ship (no extra price, included in the fare)m
DeleteA choice of teas, including Indian, China, Earl Grey, Green tea (ugh) and various fruit tisanes
A selection of little sandwiches, prawn, chicken egg, cheese etc, all labelled with flags
At least two large scones each with a dish of cream for each diner and a selection of jams in glass dishes
A selection of cakes including Victoria sponge, sliced fruitcake, shortbread fingers and more fancy ones like French-type glazed fruit tarts and chocolate brownies.
And you can ask for extra of anything.
That’s what I call a posh afternoon tea.
I would certainly write expressing your disappointment and suggesting I provements.
LJ
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for you to meet up with your Canadian family again, after what must be such a long time. Hopefully you will all have a wonderful time together, and create new memories together.
Big Sis is off to OZ early on Wendsday. She is super excited as will be seeing a daughter plus hubbie and most importantly, her two grandsons for the first time in 3 years.
DeleteIt will be a very tearful reunion in the arrivals hall in Brisbane airport.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
DeleteIt is good to hear that people are getting together with more dispersed family members again.
ReplyDeleteLJ it does sound that the tea was a bit below par, you would expect a choice of tea varieties & some indication of their flavour profiles. As you say being told what is is in which sandwich is important in case of any dietary requirements, I like lots of cream & often don’t bother with cakes as I find most somewhat sickly. I would be inclined to write a polite note expressing disappointment as they can’t improve without feed back.
MrNuts & I were very glad that we were at the Grange on Friday not yesterday, the weather was perfect for a picnic, although a bit too hot in the auditorium, but gentlemen were allowed to remove their jackets. My food worked OK although I felt the tarts hadn’t come out as well as they could have & I had to send MrNuts out to buy extra honey after I dropped the first jar of dill dressing over the kitchen floor giving me the fun task of clearing up a combination of broken glass & a puddle of very slippery oil based dressing, fortunately I had some time in hand.
ReplyDelete...if you are like me, small shards of glass will still be found a few days on...no matter how well all was cleaned up.
DeleteLanjan, 3.24 PM. I would be inclined to give some feedback to the hotel as it doesn't sound like it was a very good afternoon tea, I've had better at our local garden centre.
ReplyDeleteLan Jan - fifty years ago the Richmond HillHotel was wonderful, but no longer I’m afraid. It’s been trading on its past glory for far too long.
ReplyDeleteRather than give your feedback, I would take a screen shot of your post and those responses and simply email it to them.
The management would not know LanJan from Cheshire Cheese or Ev or Lady R and how many Miriam’s would they be likely to know.
By doing that you will not only be giving them your ‘ anonymous’ review, but supplying them with good positive suggestions of how it should be done.
Since your trip was so disappointing, may I also suggest that you take your son and partner into Richmond again and go down the road a quarter mile and take them to the Petersham Nursery. It will be expensive and you, I think, will have plenty to say about the quirky ambiance, but you will get very good food.
And if you don’t go, then the next time I come to London, I will take you there for a slap up tea. ( or breakfast )
Lady R, I do hope you have a splendid afternoon tea at Audrey’s Wood when you can go.
ReplyDeleteWe won a voucher for a lunch there a few years ago and it was splendid with all the trimmings. Two waiters brought our main dishes, covered with those silver cloches, then orchestrated a simultaneous unveiling of the dishes!! We were gobsmacked, but tried not to show we were unused to such extravagance! 😉
Well that’s certainly a recommendation AP 😊
DeleteStupid spellcheck has never heard of AUDLEY’s Wood, obviously! 🙄
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your feedback.
ReplyDeleteMrs P it was not The Richmond Hill Hotel but was a 4* one on Richmond Hill.
The building is beautiful.
We were actually given a choice of tea.
Son had Earl Grey and D in law had Jasmin.
Is afternoon tea stronger than English breakfast?
I always use Yorkshire tea at home.
I always ask for English breakfast so maybe that was my mistake.
Mrs P ,Petersham Nurseries was awful when we went a few years ago.
The tea "room " was a former greenhouse and the tables and chairs were old and tatty.
The floor was bare earth .
Is that shabby chic?
Prices were exorbitant as I recall.
Having said that, my step granddaughter told me today that she went there recently and it was good.
Am I expecting too much.
I think I will write or maybe email them.
I will report back.
I have just checked......
The English Breakfast is "An exceptional black tea!!
Checked the menu
We should have had a choice of scones-fruit or plain.
(Should have gone to Wetherspoons where we would have got 3full English breakfast plus a desert each and endless cups of tea for less than the cost of one afternoon tea.)
Several years ago we took the Small People in a Shoe to the Arctic Experience at the Natural History Museum. I would have filled in their review card at the exit - but there were no pencils. So I went home and sent off an email listing the 14 things that had disappointed us as we went around the exhibition. (You'll have gathered it wasn't the amazing experience we had been led to expect!)
DeleteIn recompense, they sent us a voucher for free entry into another special exhibition of our choice. We went to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition - a large room with wildlife pictures on the wall and a couple of computers so you could vote for your favourite. We spent hours in there! It certainly made up for the metling icecap of an experience we'd had on our first visit. Giving feedback can certainly be worthwhile ...
My breakfast at Wetherspoons was rather underwhelming. My two friends ordered their full English breakfasts. I only wanted bacon and scrambled egg. Not only did this cost more than their platefuls, it came with one sad little blob of scrambled egg, whereas they got 3 blobs each. I would have just put up with it but my friends insisted I asked for more egg. I got it, eventually, but the bacon was probably cold by then.
The next day I'd learnt my lesson - I ordered the full English, but without the beans, and passed the mushrooms and sausages over to my friends. I don't recall if we got endless cups of tea.
LJ - sorry I misunderstood the hotel.
DeleteYou have it in one regarding Petersham Nurseries, and yes it is shabby chic, but the food is good. I felt like you about the decor whenever I went there, too much like home for me.
As for tea. I always opt for English breakfast and always get washing up water presented in a cup or teapot. I think the answer is to ask for two teabags. I also think that English Breakfast tea is a commercial restaurant specialty and nothing to do with the tea that we buy.
And I don’t understand either, but suppose it is to do with costs.
P S - there is a Weatherspoons in Minehead !
DeleteI love scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast, with crispy smoked bacon for breakfast.
DeleteI also love scrambled egg with salmon plus Eggs Benedict!
Nothing beats a good bowl of porridge, with extras.
DeleteI am at the final rundown now and still not panicking !
ReplyDeleteMy handyman Alan is coming in an hour to disconnect the washing machine.
The oven shelves are soaking in the sink.
The packing will be done on Wednesday, loading up on Thursday and delivery to my new home on Friday. Bath daughter came on Saturday and despite only one row we got through a lot. She will be here on Thursday.
Lady is going to my friend tomorrow evening. The cat will come with me.
My eldest is coming up from the Lizard on Friday and will stay for at least a day or so, though where we will all sleep remains to be seen.
Please don’t wish me luck, wish for me instead that I stay calm and don’t have yet another breakdown. The mental health services are already overloaded and do not need me to add to the numbers !
🤞for you MrsP
DeleteSending zen like vibes in your direction MrsP
DeleteI'm glad your daughters are helping, Mrs. P. It sounds as though you have a plan to stick to.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope you sail through the next few days calmly and that your move is straightforward.
I hope you will be very comfortable in your splendid flat:)
Very exciting!!
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds very exciting Mrs P and you sound very organised. I admire your tenacity in pursuit g this move and I am sure you have made a good choice of new home. I wish you well to live there and enjoy life. Will be thinking of you throughout this week!
ReplyDeleteMrs. P
ReplyDeleteAt last your dream is about to happen. You seem so very well organised, along with the help of your family.
I am sure you have made the right decision. I am looking forwards to hearing how you (+pets) settle in.
It is an exciting, new chapter of your life so embrace and enjoy it.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI hope this week goes as calmly as reasonably possible for you, Mrs.P., given that house moves are inevitably challenging for everyone, on many levels !
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if every phase of the process has been worked out & you are getting family support, which will surely steady the nerves.
All the best in the weeks which follow, exploring your new environment & starting to settle.
Thank you all for your good wishes.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with the move, Mrs P! I have found one of the important things is to take your kettle, tea bags or loose tea etc so that you can at least have a cup of tea, maybe biscuits as well!
ReplyDeleteAnd a toilet roll, soap and towel to hand, just in case. I’d like to think they’d leave a toilet roll out of courtesy but experience tells me you never know.
DeleteThank you both Ev and PtbY for your good advice.
DeleteI am rubbish at many things in life but many decades ago we used to have caravan holidays in a remote part of Snowdonia. So preparing to allow oneself for the most basic of human comforts is very much part of my DNA.
Good to know
DeleteI am loving watching To The Manor Born, before listening to The Archers.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how many times I have seen this programne, but it is still so enjoyable yet again.
It seems timeless somehow.
I envisage Peggy + Kate, living in the Lodge spying on Grey Gables with binoculars, like Audrey did on Grantley...
DeleteAudrey had Bertie her dog, Peggy + Kate have Hilda, that cat!
DeleteOn Monday one of the donkeys,Rupert, at the Donkey sanctuary had a twisted gut. He had to go to a horse hospital on the mainland at Liphook but there was no availability on the ferry until 11 pm which could be too late for him. They put out an appeal and someone gave up their ferry booking so that he went over at about 7. He is now being continually monitored, is doing well, may not need surgery although it is early days. Donkeys are social animals with each other and he was accompanied by Jimbob who is a retiree from Carisbrooke castle. Jimbob is a personality and they say he has been checking out the other horses there and saying “you may be thoroughbreds but I am from a castle!” The Donkey sanctuary do an amazing job and they have about 100 donkeys and some Shetland ponies too. We went there with the boys recently. Dudley was fascinated with the donkeys and rubbed noses through the fences with them. The donkeys thinking what is this strange small creature? Buddy was not so sure and hid behind us! Dogs are very welcome there although they have to behave! Apart from a couple of excited barks from Dudley, quickly shushed, ours were fine and it is nice to be able to take them out to places like that. 🐶🐶🐴🐾🐾
ReplyDeleteLovely news Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you have taken the plunge
It is good that you have the help of your daughters too.
I would let your elder daughter take charge.
Just go with the flow.
Although you are perfectly capable of doing things yourself let her think you are not .
She will feel good and you will be less tired.
Sometimes playing the elderly lady pays off .
I do it a lot!
Archerphile, your turn now to get moving!
ReplyDeleteWill you and Spicy be watching the cricket from The Netherlands .?
In this hot, hot weather I am getting up early, doing a bit of the garden before breakfast ,a bit more after and then plan to watch England win yet again (although I wouldn't be that sad if the Netherlands did)
Housework?
What is that ?
Oh, I know LanJan…about the moving, that is! Finding the garden more and more difficult to cope with and beginning to accept it will have to be less than perfect these days. More being ‘re-wilder’, which in our case means not mowing various areas and letting the grass/ weeds just grow. I reckon the move will now be between 2023 -2025 Which is when our daughter and family are moving ‘oop north’ and we’ll go with them. Probably to one of those retirement villages I expect, or if we combine resources, a granny annexe.
DeleteAnd yes, we watch any cricket we can get on TV, though usually reliant onwhat BBC2 can offer up as we don’t have Sky
Sounds better than spending several hours on the M6 which is what we'll be doing. Off to Edinburgh on childcare duties for a few days.
DeleteHave you thought about one of those robotic lawn mowers ? I was in the large garden centre on Monday buying a new chain for my chainsaw and was looking at them, Im not ready for one yet, but the salesman said they were good for large areas, and to be fair they had 2 working on their large out door grass areas.
DeleteArcherphile you will then no longer be a Hampshire Hog 😩 I take it daughter knows you intend to move north with them 🤣😂
DeleteCC hope your long journey is trouble free and the air con keeps going…..😱
The corn is ripening in my neighbouring farmers fields, as I went to water my trees along the bridle path the birds were having a feast, I could also hear them this morning when I woke up. they are crowing away now. I dont think his bird scarer is working very well as I have only heard it go off once this morning and it usually goes off every 10 mins or so, so much for the peace in the country.
ReplyDeleteCowGirl is the corn “As high as an elephants eye” yet 🤣 either way it is a beautiful morning!
ReplyDeleteYesterday I was walking down the other bridleway here, with my neighbour and her dogs when we were stopped in our tracks by the annual 3 Coast Vintage Tractor Ride, that spends 5 days travelling and of course stopping off on route from Lancashire to Whitby and back in aid of charity, there were some very old tractors and men of course too, but it was also good to see some younger ones . Good weather is of course a blessing as none of the tractors have cabs. Not of course in the same class as the London to Brighton rally, but nevertheless worthy of watching, though neither of us knew it was on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea that is,Cowgirl
DeleteWhere is the third coast or do they cheat and say that they are travelling from one north coast in the west to another north coast in the east?
Apparently they start out at Liverpool. I think it is called 3 coast to differentiate it from other coast to coast runs, It is advertised as the world longest coast to coast vintage tractor run
DeleteAnyone else living on Lidl mini almond magnum like ice creams in this hot weather? Yum yum. 🤭
ReplyDeleteNo, but we’re stocked up on lollies!!😊🍡🍡🍡
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, I can watch all Lancashire's matches on the Ipad.
ReplyDeleteYou can do the same with Hampshire
I think it is through U tube
Don't know how Lancashire do so well when 4 of their best players were in the Netherlands.
PtbY and Cowgirl won't agree but I hope you move to the west of the Pennines when you go because it is not as cold or as windy as the east .
I lived for almost 40 years on the west coast of Lancashire and we rarely saw snow.
Warm,wet westerly winds in winter
Thinking about you Mrs P although I doubt you will have time to read the blog.
Off outside now before it gets too hot.
Anyone else suffering badly from hay fever?
I have a pill,inhaler and eye drops but after about 11 o clock I can't stay outside.
My son and wife are over from Canada briefly.
ReplyDeleteThey had hoped to travel Britain to see friends and relatives but because of the rail strike they can't do that this week so after a couple of days spent not far from where I live they are in a cottage near Lewes and are apparently enjoying 20km walks in the sunshine.
My Canadian daughter in law is very impressed with the Sussex countryside.
I’m having a terrible time with hay fever at the mo. Haven’t been as bad for years. I get a very itchy roof of my mouth and sore throat, drives me mad.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile…..you need to move to the east of the Pennines because, as Lanjan states, it’s too wet in the west!
Absolutely agree P tobe Y When I lived high on the Pennines right on the border (right side of course) in winter I often had to walk 3 miles to pick up the car to go to work as the track was impassible due to snow, didn't need much as it blew it into drifts. I do recall one day walking home and thinking something wasn't right and realized No Wind, though I do accept it is windy here on the east coast too
DeleteCome on there ,how many of you are wanting rain at the moment for the garden?
ReplyDeleteI know I am.
I see that the Lancashires match at Blackpool is given as a nil result so I presume it was rained off
How many of you would have loved a drop of rain today?
Warmer and wetter than drier ,windier colder Yorkshire
I rest my case.
Stick to the west Archerphile.
Where is everyone.
ReplyDeleteWell if they are watching the Test Match they won't be too happy!
ReplyDelete