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Life in Ambridge
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Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
Unexpected parcel sent by my younger daughter, seriously goog granola & biscuits 😋
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thought KP - enjoy 🤗
DeleteArcherphileMay 17, 2023 at 11:02 AM
ReplyDeleteI am in Grrrrrr mood - scroll on if not interested.
In the past 6 weeks I have been advised by 3 different GPS about my still very high blood
pressure
Each Doctor has prescribed a different drug or dosage and given different instructions.
The last one I saw, 2 weeks ago, doubled the strength of my drug, told me to stop taking my pressure readings for 3 weeks, then to report back if it was still high.
Last week I ordered a repeat prescription of the drug to take on holiday next week
Next day, Got a text message back from another different GP saying she had doubled the dose again because my BP was still too high (how did she know, I hadn’t yet started taking readings again )
Spent the last 24 hours making 7 lengthy phone calls to pharmacy and surgery, chasing up my drugs to take on holiday.
Surgery swear they sent the prescription to the pharmacy.
Pharmacy swear they haven’t had it, so won’t dispense anything
At my wits end! If I have a heart attack or stroke, who do I blame?
Very sorry to conclude our precious NHS is going to pot.
REPLYDELETE
JaniceMay 17, 2023 at 11:22 AM
Underfunded and understaffed someone said and I think that is right. My sympathy Archerfile. I once had a problem, and the surgery gave me a long number that could identify the prescription , and w
and when I gave that to the chemist they did indeed find it had been sent.
ReplyDeleteDELETE
MiriamMay 17, 2023 at 2:54 PM
What annoys me now, (easy to say I know but), why is the onus put upon the patient/client to sort things out, when they are obviously upset/distressed and concerned.
This does not help the situation at all.
I would have thought a 'phone call from the pharmacy to the surgery, should have sorted things out. However, I am now "old school" and freely admit that I don't know how this new system of electronic prescriptions works.
My thought is still that this prescription can be traced, with a bit of liasion between pharmacy and surgery, but that is ideallistic.
DELETE
Lady RMay 17, 2023 at 3:32 PM
It’s common sense Miriam!
JaniceMay 17, 2023 at 11:17 AM
ReplyDeleteAfter a lot of lawn mowing yesterday (me), and several days of flail mowing of the brambles and brush encroaching too far into the field (son, I found the flailer too heavy with too many different levers that did strange things if you pulled the wrong one) we have decided to make the most of the weather and are off to a beach. Son and daughter are endeavouring to fit a kayak into my car ( it does divide into half. ) as his car boot has all the paraphernalia you need for a one year old toddler at the beach. I have cheated and been down to the village to buy pasties for our picnic. Couldn't face making them this weather, and I shall be baking on Friday for the Gardening Club annual fundraiser on Saturday.
P.s. if anyone does have a wild large garden/area to tame ( thinking maybe of Cowgirl) the pedestrian self propelled flail mower is a brilliant bit of kit. I hired one for a few days.
Hope you all have a lovely time in the sun whatever you do.
REPLYDELETE
JaniceMay 17, 2023 at 11:35 AM
P.p.s. Blinking heck! They've taken the back seats out of my car.
MiriamMay 17, 2023 at 2:56 PM
ReplyDeleteHave you still got a car roof?
One of us needs to get a roof rack! It was a very squished journey.
DeleteFor the first time in decades I walked barefoot along a sandy beach today.
ReplyDeleteI went with a friend to Exmouth, to experience time in a lookout tower, our initial introduction to our training as volunteers as ‘ watchers ‘ with the National Coastwatch. I had doubts that I would be able to climb the tower with its exterior ladder, but made it up and down without difficulty.
I took Lady for a run on the beach and she was able to briefly lap at the water as a wave retreated. Although she still backs off as the waves lap towards her she seems to be slightly less concerned with each exposure. I do look forward to the possibility of her willingly entering the water. She is getting better at jumping into the stream in the park, so she is progressing.
...Well Done Lady.
DeleteMrs P. you are certainly embracing your new life.
I couldn't climb that ladder, as I get vertigo badly. I was at Flint Castle with kids a while ago, but only managed about 5 rungs of the ladder up to the tower
What does a volunteer coast watcher do?
It sounds very interesting.
Yes, and well done Mrs P, climbing that outside ladder! No something I could do either.
DeleteAre the sands at Exmouth red, like those further along the South Devon coast at Teignmouth? I well remember holidays there as a child and my Mum complaining that my little white socks and pants were stained red after a morning on the beach.
I hope you really enjoy your coastwatching, it sound a very useful and interesting occupation.
Impressive Mrs P ⭐️ your knee(s) replacement no barrier then? You are sounding like a woman reborn since you’re move it is great and so pleased for you.
ReplyDeleteI am with the others re that ladder climbing a physical no no for me!
Well done, Mrs P! Will you be watching for pirates, rum smugglers or small, overcrowded inflatables?
DeleteStrangely enough, knee replacements don't seem to present a barrier to climbing ladders: having had all four major joints replaced I can still manage the ladders to swim from a boat - always providing I have enough room to manoeuvre when I get back to the top, that is!
It's just walking any distance that's a problem!
DeleteWow Sarnia 2 hips and 2 knees I am impressed, how far apart were the ops?
DeleteI'm impressed with both of you. Maybe Mrs P if any of the smugglers have Cornish accents you could let them escape 😉
DeleteOh, long story Lady R, beginning with daughter's birth in 1977 and encompassing a badminton injury in 1991.
DeleteHips: 2005, 2010.
Knees: 2014, 2018.
Boring!
Not at all Sarnia and thank you for your reply 🤗
DeleteHa! There were three biopsies (no anaesthetic) and a hysterectomy in there somewhere as well - and people wonder why I only want to look forward!!
DeleteMrs P. Well done. I’m with others…..what do coast watchers watch for?
ReplyDeleteWe had a trip to the beach yesterday morning. I watched from a cafe whilst husband took dogs. Daphne had a great time with another dog that liked chasing. Poor Mabel is too old for a lot of running but enjoyed her 30 minute stroll…..she’s 14 in two weeks time.
Couldn’t believe how much the grass had grown since Saturday so had to have a grass cutting sesh when we got back.
Conclusion of prescription fiasco - made yet another call to surgery as instructed by Pharmacy. (As suggested by Miriam, shouldn’t they have done that?).
ReplyDeleteEventual result, the Surgery admitted they had not sent prescription to the Pharmacy after all, it was found at bottom of a pile of papers where it had been sitting for 7 days!! However they promised to send it over toute suite and even texted me later on to say it had been sent. Hopefully drugs will be delivered tomorrow. Phew!
What a relief AP let’s hope that is your final pre hols fiasco 🙏🏼 and you can now relax and enjoy your delayed trip.
DeleteThanks for all the congratulations - I was pretty impressed by my ability as the ladder was one of those half stair jobbies and I had said I would not be going up the tower. But when I saw it I felt ok to try it.
DeleteI don’t intend doing all the technical stuff, and there is masses of it, but I will be doing back up stuff, making sure there is always tea, coffee and milk for the watchers, sewing on badges, answering the telephone and making sure anything in the report book is carried through, initially I will be the gofer.
When lighthouses where decommissioned it soon became evident that there was a need for someone to look out for any potential dangers on and near to the coast. Yes, rubber swans with two children floating out into dangerous waters, people stranded on a sand bar as the tide comes in.
One story told yesterday: a woman and child on holiday approached the coast watch wanting to know where the water had gone. “ there was lots of it yesterday, where has it gone “ - “ the tide is out madam “ - “ what’s the tide ? “ ……. It’s beyond belief isn’t it ?
The senior officer at Exmouth has been tasked with setting up two new stations at Minehead and Burnham. At present all of the end of the estuary is covered from the Welsh side, I think at Milford Haven, so the objective is to close the gap.
Janice - I believe the Coastwatch was first instigated around your neck of the woods.
And the sand was truly golden and very fine. Lovely to feel it filtering between my toes.
Thanks for all the detail Mrs P. It sounds a really interesting way of spending your time, getting to know new people and seeing around the coastline, so say nothing of fulfilling a really important safety facility. You sound so much more positive than before you moved and I am so very pleased that life is generally looking up for you. Good luck with it all. 🥰
DeleteHear hear!
DeleteBrilliant Mrs P. and what a worthwhile "job" as even as a gofer, you will be giving a worth-while and appreciative input.
Delete👏👏👏
Yes Miriam that’s how I see it.
DeleteI’ve had a lifetime of being instigator, leader, head honcho, or major domo. Now it’s my time to be the enabler for others. I shall make sure there is always fresh milk and teabags and I shall be fundraising by patrolling the beach shaking my bucket collecting cash.
What about providing home-made scones, biscuits, shortbread, cake/tea loaf?
DeleteYou would be so accepted..😆
In Dec. 2021, I bought a frozen Turkey joint just in case Christmas was cancelled again, as it was the year before, due to covid and restrictions.
ReplyDeleteLuckily it wasn't needed, as Christmas happened, though in a low key way.
This turkey slab, has now been 18months in my freezer until now.
I am doing things with it tomorrow, a roast and perhaps also a curry. It will be used and tasty, whatever I do.
It is a bone-free, rolled turkey breast piece.
DeleteI’m off on one of my favourite jaunts today and possibly tomorrow too.
ReplyDeleteI have for many years followed the Yellow Book Open Gardens scheme mostly in London. In Gloucestershire I visited several villages open gardens when they were opened, although none since Covid disrupted our world.
Now here in Somerset I shall be treating myself this weekend to up to fourteen gardens in Porlock.
A lovely sunny weekend that I hope will not become a scorcher.
Have a wonderful weekend, Mrs P. You've made mine already by sounding so cheerful and positive!
ReplyDeleteAgree..
DeleteI did house-work this morning, but what a lazy afternoon - sunshine, cat on lap sitting on a garden chair, reading a book!
Bliss. 🐈⬛ ☀️ 📖 😎
I have a 2nd pair of sunglasses, which has lenses as to my reading prescripxtion, which are brilliant.
Plant sale this morning.
DeleteI was determined not to buy plants, I just wanted to see the level of variety to have an idea of what I could get next year.
Stupid decision….. of course I bought plants.
Open gardens this afternoon very disappointing !
Signage around the village abysmal, gardens hardly notable, only one garden that was a pleasure to visit. AND NO TEAS - I wasn’t the only person to complain.
At least you were out and about, even if it was a bit disappointing.
DeleteNow do tell.- what plants did you buy?
I am in need to by a Phygeliues "Funfair Orange" to replace the one which didn't survive the winter.
Miriam - I bought more grasses for my bed at the front and something that grows with white spikes ( that was the description, I didn’t write the name down ) and some yellow irises for the pond I intend to build.
DeleteAt the moment the garden design exists solely in my head but is becoming more extensive with each week.
It will happen, as you are already thinking and planning.
DeleteGood Luck, and I for one am looking forward to hearing all about it.
And yes your right, I was out and about.
DeleteI had a good conversation with a lady who reminded me that we had sat next to each other at a concert last year, and also reminded me that I had stopped to let her pass when in my car recently. She seems to be a very interesting person and I hope I shall bump into her again. She says that I drive past her home almost daily.
We shared in our conversation several places that we had connections to, Slimbridge, The Wetlands Centre in Barnes, Castle Carey where I was close to buying a lovely flat amongst other places.
Wonderful...🤗
DeleteI would so like an up-date about EV.
ReplyDeleteShe is a friend here, and I just so want to wish her well.
EV - if you read this, there are many thinking of you...💕🤗 🤗
Yes, I hope too that things are progressing well for you Ev. 💐
ReplyDeleteSame here Mrs P. I went to the Garden Club annual sale today to take my baking down for the refreshments stall fully intending to skedaddle straight back home again, but somehow came out with a birch tree, a pink Montana clematis, no less than 3 sage plants (he threw one in for free) and some King Edward potatoes for planting even though I already have a fair amount of potatoes growing well! Apparently the King Edward type are excellent for roasting, and I often end up with ones that aren't crisp.
Oh dear, plants are irresistible aren't they!
ReplyDeleteYesterday my bargain pack of foxgloves arrived and today a rattle at the door heralded my calistemon (bottlebrush plant) and three infant canna lilies to replace the ones I lost over winter
I vowed that I would not spend money on new echiums after the heartbreak of losing the beauties that were poised to grow to full height this year.
Then the special offer turned up, club members only, £14.99 in a 2L pot and I caved in immediately! Another two are on their way, but will be in pots to start with this time!
I keep thinking of you Sarnia each time I see echiums in flower here.
DeleteThere are plenty around and not often in gardens but rather as wind blown seedlings in odd spots and on the sides of roads.
Some are truly spectacular.
I remember so clearly the first time I encountered Echiums in Ventnor on the IOW, about thirty years ago. They had taken over a vacant plot of land which had once been a house and was presumably waiting for a developer to come along and re build. My daughter had one or two in her garden in Cornwall but they were pretty sickly and were not thriving.
And the foxgloves up on the moors are coming through now too.
I remember my first walks with Lady when I came here almost a year ago, when the foxgloves were all in full bloom.
Thank you kindly, Mrs P. I enjoy your walks with you.
DeleteI agree that all our thoughts are constantly with Ev & Katy but I also feel it is more than likely that right now all their mental and physical energy is being used at full capacity and therefore maybe not even accessing the blog……
ReplyDeleteEV
ReplyDeleteIf you are able to read this, please ask Katy to let us know how you are.
Be assured we are thinking of you.
Mrs P I can hardly believe your move is nearly a year ago. What a wonderful boost to your life it has been, gone it appears are the down days of not waking until lunchtime and low physical and mental energy. It happened when it was meant to after a few false starts. 👏🏻⭐️🤗
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
ReplyDeleteThank you both, and I do know very well that my mood has changed drastically, I’m sure due to my new home which is full of light, in contrast to my dark Cotswold cottage.
DeleteHowever my sleeping patterns have changed very little and many days start at pm rather then am.
I am the opposite, in that I wake early but that does not mean I get up early, and in bed by 9.30pm listening to something - normally a "download".
DeleteWe’ve been enjoying watching the antics around our bird feeder. A very large mouse (definitely mouse :- big ears & furry tail) scared off a magpie & then got chased b the moorhen. All very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteRe Phygellius plant which Miriam.mentioned
ReplyDeleteI was given two :( one is creamy yellow and one red )nearly 20 years ago.
I took cuttings and now have too many in the garden.
They are treated as weeds in South Africa but I love them .
They are similar in looks to fuchsia .
Great plants for filling in a border
I saw two puffins at the waters edge this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteThey were with a small group of seagulls. They took off with one seagull immediately behind. I imagine it was seeing them off.
I’ve bought a nepeta - cat mint - from Tesco this afternoon.
I’ve been wanting one since I came here as it’s one of my favourite plants and I love to have them for whatever cat I have.
I put the pot in a corner of the front terrace where Puss spends a lot of his time and before I had even opened the front door he was sniffing around it.
Interesting, Mrs P. I have a large pot of it in my courtyard, yet as far as I can see the two neighbouring cats, Coco and Sid, have shown no interest in it at all.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Sid (black with white bib and socks), has finally discovered my summer house and I found him cosily tucked up in one of the bucket chairs. We have a history of not getting on, but he looked so at home that I hadn't the heart to move him. The other morning he made straight for it and seemed disappointed that it was shut, so now I find myself opening up the summer house first thing so the Sid can doze in it all day!
Yesterday afternoon I passed him on the way to the courtyard, snoozing happily, and found Coco asleep in a chair in the blue and white 'Greek' cabin!
Coco is all black, so I wonder if she looks like your cat, Miriam - did you call her Posy?
DeleteAh Sarnia bless you for your kindness I can see the puss cats in their cosy positions in my minds eye from your wonderful description 🐈⬛🐈⬛
DeleteShe's Bonnie. The name came to me when I went to the cat rescue centre. I was left alone with her, and she was soon settled on my lap. My immediate thoughts were she's so bonny and is going to be mine. That's how I got the name. 🐈⬛🐈⬛
DeleteOf course it's Bonnie. Silly me!
DeleteHas anyone been able to get to the Chelsea Flower show? We’re watching some of the coverage & then looking at our slightly scruffy garden. Makes me want to do a bit more but I’m not actually a very keen gardener & my back starts complaining loudly at the suggestion of weeding.Mr Nuts keeps on top of things just about but it doesn’t leave much time for crops or flowers. I’m thinking of trying to find a garden designer to advise on some shrubs & perennials to add a bit more colour, it tends to be just green after the foxgloves die back
ReplyDeleteI plan on going to Chelsea next year when I can walk around again. Loving watching it on telly. Don’t like the scruffy weedy gardens on it.
ReplyDeleteThought the Sarah Price (I think) iris garden was beautiful and the the Chris beardshaw garden was very calming.
The way all the flowers are out and perfect in the grand marquee seems to be nothing but a miracle to me.
Let dogs out on their own whilst I watched the end of Chelsea tonight. Then went out to do a bit of watering. Ruddy daphne has been in my raised bed to eat the egg shells round the lettuce plants, or a very big slug wearing wellies! She’s not flavour of the month now.
Have you been to see about your hip (privately) or otherwise then ptby, I seem remember to were thinking of doing so about now?
DeleteKP our BBC 2 is ok but currently our “aerial” bbc 1 (101j which was HD has been taken away, but not on our neighbours set 🙃 we can still watch it in HD via iPlayer live or otherwise. I will retune but have read it has gone…..
Re-tune. I was also having problems with reception, but on re-tuning all is fine. I know in my area there was messing about with the HD BBC channels.
DeleteYes Lady R. I’m going for my pre-op on Thursday and operation on the 15th June.
ReplyDeleteCCheese…..how are you doing in your recovery?
Good news ptby 🤗
DeleteCC you must be well into yourrecovery now 🤔
Good news PtbY - hope it all goes to plan.
DeleteI’m concerned that we have not had news of Ev via Katy.
If you are still reading Ev…… thoughts are with you.
I haven’t watched any of Chelsea so far.
It’s rather caught me on the hop this year, as I had not realised we were this far into summer.
However I have realised after yesterday’s five mile group walk which was lovely. I did wear my hat and was wearing a loose cotton top, however the UV levels were high and on returning home I realised that my neck, and it’s many patches of Vitiligo had really caught the sun.
Very sore.
Yes, Lady R…… I should have known better !
I will stick to evening walks while we have the lovely days.
I also got the sun at the weekend, and ended up with a sore arm.
DeleteI didn't put my sun screen on, until too late!
Will I ever learn?
I'm pleased to hear that you are going to have your hip replacement done and hope that all goes well PtbY.
ReplyDeleteIt's now 4 months since I had mine done and the recovery is progressing as expected. I did overdo it a bit in the garden last weekend. We're visiting one of my daughters for the coming Bank Holiday and I had loads of plants that needed potting up before we go (6 dozen pelargonium cuttings). I suffered a bit on Monday but it soon settled. I've just booked our tickets for the Tatton Flower Show in July by which time I hope to have regained my lost fitness.
I was sad to read the news about Amy Dowden having breast cancer, she's one of my favourite dancers on Strictly.
CC I read that too about Strictly Amy, who like you, I really like.
Delete...and to go through this on its own is bad enough, but with her Chrones Disease...doubt she will be in Strictly this year. 😔
DeleteAll the best for tomorrow,PtbY
ReplyDeleteHear! Hear! Ptby
DeleteMIRIAM, thanks for your tip regarding re instating BBC 101 HD channel. I did re tune as often advised onscreen the stations overall but I needed to action region info and use the request best reception available option. Not only did I regain 101HD but South East region giving us South Today our very local news in HD but it also rest ITV and we now have Meridian local tv news in HD.
ReplyDeleteI am awarding you a ⭐️
I am just pleased that my experience worked for you, as well as it did me.I too, now get my local BBC news on 101HD..
DeleteSpent up!! I have been out and bought all the plants (+ more), to do tubs, window box, hanging basket etc. Where I went was fully stocked, ready for a hot and sunny BH. I was right in going this morning, as there was loads of choice of really healthy plants.
ReplyDeleteI got my phygelius, but not the orange one I wanted. This one is Wine, which will be just as lovely.
I am out all day on Saturday with a picnic lunch, at a mini-zoo, to avoid the big one and better for 3yr old.
Family outing is Big Sis. 2 nieces, a grand-nephew (8yrs)and two grand-nieces, the 3yr old plus the eldest who is 12 on Monday.
An extra:-
DeleteA lovely gentleman put my bag of compost onto my garden trolley, but do I look that old now?? 🤣🤔
Bonnie Puss had just come in looking like a litle grey haired person. She has obviously been in the overgrown garden, so has dandelion fluff, stuck to her.
Don’t knock it Miriam - go gently into the night - you probably don’t look old, but when help is offered accept it in a ladylike fashion.
DeleteOh I did! 😉
DeleteI am tall, but still have a slight/slim physique, weighing just 8.5 stone and still buy 8/10 in clothing...so perhaps I look like a weakling!! 😆
DeleteHeavens above, Miriam, I'd make two of you!!!
DeleteInteresting bit of news today: as I believe I've mentioned, my local GP surgery has been completely closed since COVID and was hardly ever open for some years before that. The asthma clinic was then replaced by a telephone review consisting of a tick-box exercise with questions too broad to be relevant.
After a couple of years of refusing this and demanding a face-to-face appointment at the next-nearest surgery, which is only a 25 min walk away, this is now open 5dayd a week I stead of the previous two, so today I got my wish.
I wasn't diagnosed asthmatic until my 50s and even then the approach was quite casual, giving the impression that it wasn't really much of a problem.
Today I discovered that I have chronic asthma and the nurse was astonished that I didn't know. No wonder I often have so little energy - I just thought I was being lazy!
Medication being changed forthwith.
Good luck and am sure new meds will certainly help you.
DeleteI agree with your point about surgeries and Pandemic. I too have not seen a GP face-to-face since then. All has been done on 'phone. I though have been to my surgery for blood tests, but what was a busy surgery and always packed out, has been virtually empty when I have been there mid-morning.
I wonder how many also have ongoing problems which are not being monitered in the way they once were.h
I am getting a "smell" wafting around, which will there all weekend - barbeques.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer to cook inside as usual, then serve meal outside.
I just don't understand this need for charred sausages, beefburgers etc. which are then put in a bun!!
Each to their own, but just not my taste.
I with you all the way on BBQ Miriam
DeleteThe smell of the cooking is so disgusting I can't understand why anyone would want to eat them! Greek barbecues always smell absolutely mouth-watering, but then the Greeks don't cook sausages and burgers.
DeleteI'm sorry if I have offended bloggers who actually like them.
No prescription, y the way: a neighbour drive me to the new pharmacy, who didn't have it and sent me back to the old one. They didn't have it either, but tracked it back to the main surgery to find that the doctor hadn't signed it yet.
I rang them as directed, to get it put through quickly so it would be ready later today. However, I was so exhausted from yesterday's 50 min walk that I fell asleep in the swing chair and woke up too late to go back and get it
Enjoy the lovely, sunny and hot up-coming long weekend, with family, friends and whoever you will be with
ReplyDeleteIf alone, then enjoy the weather and sunshine, and just do whatever suits you.
Wishing you all well. 🤗☀️😎
Back in the church on Sunday for the first time since September, Miriam. Therefore, haven't played the organ for 8 months. Practice tomorrow. Not exactly happy!
ReplyDeleteMrNuts & I are up to London tomorrow, we’ve got tickets for the new production of Aspects of Love, staying in town overnight then meeting up with my sister at the National Gallery for the Inventing Modern Art exhibition on Sunday. I hope it’s not too hot as London gets stuffy when it’s hot.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend KP (and Mr KP as well of course) sounds a lovely mix. Even though I will not be in Town I still hope it will not be too hot - well I guess you all know me by now 😂
DeleteI have a box of Cicely Barker fairy postcards that are nice to send, and easier than writing a long letter. I think Lady R you said you liked the Autumn best with its cooler weather so you would definitely be one of the Autumn flower fairies, possibly the Wayfaring tree fairy or maybe the Rosehip fairy.
ReplyDeleteI love the Flower Fairies : ) Blackberry is particularly cute.
DeleteApparently she used the children at her sister's nursery as her models.
You are spot on Janice, an Autumn fairy I do like the sound of that. Maybe more appropriate than Lady R 🙃
DeleteIndeed MRS P be you must be sure (like Mr R) to watch out for yourself in the many days of sunshine we have forecast 🌞
Yes Lady R, I shall be keeping a very low profile. My neck is still red and sore, from Tuesdays walk.
DeleteIn the same vein I suppose that would make me the bougainvillia fairy, except I doubt that fairies would come in my size!
DeleteConcerned at silence from Katy about Ev
ReplyDeleteIt is what it is, and I personally just feel, that it is right to respect their privacy.
DeleteI mean this in the nicest way for them both.
I agree Miriam - it was meant as a nudge to remind both Katy and Ev that they were not forgotten.
DeleteI know what you mean Mrs P but if Ev’s treatment has commenced I’m sure they are both intensely drained from putting there all into it no doubt leaving little time for updating the blog. Also do you think it is possible that Katy is too emotionally tired to even read the blog 🤔
DeleteLady R. I think that you have expressed much more eloquently, my similar thoughts.
DeleteAll we can now do is hope all things with EV and Katy are very positive.
Your probably both right.
DeleteWhat a fabulous meet-up with family today in gorgeous sunshine. It was 3 generations together, but regardless of age, all just gelled together in our usual, normal and wonderful way.
ReplyDeleteI feel so lucky to have this, and was just magical.
I had a wonderful wet kiss from the 3yr old when I left - she was in the hot tub!
Another wonderful family memory made Miriam ⭐️ 👏🏻
DeleteAll are already talking about September, when the OZ lot visit for the 1st time in 5 years...
DeleteThis is "middle" niece, hubby and sons of 4 and 6 yrs.
I now have a planted - hanging basket, a window box, a big tub in front garden along with its flower beds.
ReplyDeleteI still have some plants to put in the back garden and to plant the runner beans, but this won't take long in the morning..then its bum of seat and a book, once I have washed and cleaned my lounger!
Must add - have seen so many bees, who are just loving my oriental poppies and the friterilliea (planted new last autumn and flowering well).
DeleteThe family I have spoken about are the one with Big Sis as the mum of 3 daughters, my nieces no 1-3.
DeleteLittle Sis also has 3 - my only nephew and two further nieces (nos 4 and 5) and another 2 grand nephews making five of them.. All is change in this side of my family as well, but this will wait for a while yet, as 3 out of 4 are all on the move, and as such are all on tenderhooks that no-one pulls out of the chain of property ladders.
Impressive, Miriam!
DeleteAs the youngest of five I might have been able to trump that. Unfortunately once I get beyond the 14 nephews and nieces who have all gone forth, multiplied and now become grandparents, I have no idea how many and who they are. So, fear not, the crown remains yours!
I’ve just done tonight’s Wordle.
ReplyDeleteI never plan my opening five letter word, use just whatever comes into my mind.
Tonight I entered my word…. And each letter turned green.
I hit the jackpot !
Wow, wow and wow Mrs P ⭐️ if I solve in 3 that’s a good day, although I think I may have got one of them in two once but then again that may have been in my dreams 🤣
DeleteI must have missed wishing Archerphile & Mr A a lovely holiday as I assume they are now cruising hope their weather is as good as ours currently is and that they have a “waterer” in place for their garden and greenhouse 🤔
Respect!!
ReplyDeleteGood on you, I was pleased when I managed 2 on Thursday, which I’ve managed twice. I always start with the same word, ARIEL, almost always followed by SNOUT, these are the 10 most common letters in English (one point in Scrabble) My current run is 95. I follow similar policies for Quordle & Nerdle, I am very much a creature of habit & all three games get completed, along with my daily Solitaire, over a cup of coffee before I get out of bed, unless i have to be up especially early.
DeleteI mostly use Alien as it contains 3 of the 5 vowels. I believe that e is the most used letter overall 🤔
DeleteMrs P. Bet you were amazed.
ReplyDeleteI got wordle in 2 when the word was utter last week. I start with whatever word I fancy, no plan.
Like KP, I do wordle, quordle and worldle with a tea before I get out of bed.
How did your pre op visit go ptby? How badly are you affected right now pain wise and walking etc?
ReplyDeleteNot long to go now of course before your op and the start of recovery, most here have other halves who are capable physically of assisting them to do this around the home and driving which is key. For me (come the day) we will have to have a short term of joint respite care 🙃
Pre-op went fine thanks Lady R. Loads of questions…..first one…..do you still identify with the gender you were born with? Second question…..have you a preferred pronoun you wish to be called by???? 🤦♀️. I despair! What has the world come to.
ReplyDeletePain comes and goes a bit. Agony if leg twists a bit though. I walk with a stick as I have a really bad limp with it.
I try not to take pain killers as the really bung me up but I usually have to give in and have some to go to bed with.
I just want to be able to go dog walking again.
You will..🐶 👍
DeleteThanks ptby. Paracetamol should be ok regarding bunging up (at least ok for me) but know for most of us other items do result in just that!
DeleteGarden finished, apart from the now constant watering. I am not buying anything more!!
ReplyDeleteNow to tackle the washing and resulting ironing...😱
Oh Well, never idle...😀
Glorious weather today! Perfect for village pram race & dog show. Some very lovely pooches behaving remarkably well, an enjoyable way to spend the Bank holiday,
ReplyDeleteMrNuts busy in the garden so I’d better prepare him something nice for supper, some asparagus in today’s veg box so that with cream & blue cheese sauce, quick & simple but very tasty.
I was tempted to buy freshly picked asparagus at the farm shop last week..I wish I had, as make as a treat, an asparagus + salmon lasagne.
DeleteWill need to go again 😃
Do tell about the Pram Race
DeleteKP -
DeleteI seem to remember you featuring your village pram race before, soon after you had provided us with an ongoing blog.
So is it now over a year that we have existed courtesy of you ?
Thanks and congratulations due I think !
To KP nuts……… clap hands ladies………. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
👏🏻⭐️👏🏻⭐️👏🏻⭐️
Delete😇👏👏👏
ReplyDeleteAww Thank you🙏 Time flies.
DeleteThe pram race has been going for over 50 years, never been tempted to take part myself but plenty of people do. Prize for best decorated pram as wel, always a couple of superb entries, this year there was a tardis accompanied by DrWho (Tom Baker era) a Dalek & a cyberman, they rolled in last but I don’t think that worried them ,at least the water balloons that greeted the faster competitors had been dissipated
Yes thank you KP nuts.💐🏅🍫
ReplyDeleteand from me...
ReplyDeleteHello? 'Is there anybody there?' said the traveller.
ReplyDeleteOr was it 'asked'? I forget
Correct Sarnia 👏🏻 and as you know of course from “The listeners” Walter de la Mere.
DeleteI was thinking the same as you though - not even Miriam!! Maybe everyone is worn out from gardening or even Spring cleaning 😱 (not me 😉)
We managed lunch in a nearby countryside garden centre and a ride back through local villages, “roses around the door” cottages very pretty.
Sounds lovely, Lady R. I take it it's you doing the driving. I'm still taking things quietly, getting over last week's little drama and giving the stronger medication time to work.
DeleteThe two consecutive days' organ playing wasn't quite as taxing as it might have been, but I'm still being cautious. At least I've caught up with the dish mountain I'd been to tired to tackle. Energised by planning emails from new work partner, with whom I get on very well.Tomorrow I hope to feel up to completing some of the lighter gardening jobs I've had to leave.
Only a host of phantom listeners - a lovely atmospheric poem.
DeleteWhen we did that poem at school my analysis was inspired by 1066 & All That which I’d just read, my English teacher was not amused!
DeleteOne of my favourite poems, and the only history book you'll ever need. Your analysis intrigues me KPnuts! But would reading it increase my enjoyment of both works or invoke a response similar to yor English teacher's?
DeleteQuestion:
Were the listeners
a) Good phantoms
b) Bad phantoms
c) Strong phantoms
d) Weak phantoms?
I am sure there are plenty more 1066 & All That questions to be asked of the poem, but I shall be good and refrain. Like History, this quiz shall come to a .
The answer is obviously 46. You should know that.👻
DeleteMr S used to use it to kick-start his creative writing classes. On another occasion he took an unidentifiable replaced part from the washing machine for discussion.
ReplyDelete😳 what a discussion that must have been!
DeleteYes indeed I am the driver Sarnia, in fact Mr R has never driven….. always lived near his work and when out and about walked , public transport or friends drove him to their many sports matches and he contributed petrol and rounds of drinks after play 🤗 Similar re holidays and driving abroad some might say he had it made 🤣
Do you ever drive to Southampton? Thinks... ...
DeleteRight now not very far at all Sarnia and not at all to big towns if avoidable - but there is a saying “never say never”…..
DeleteI was thinking lunch, or coffe at least, at The Cowherds on Southampton Common. It's on The Avenue, in a straight line from the M3.
DeleteAny takers?
MrNuts, daughter and I spent multiple minutes watching a pheasant with a brood of chicks in garden. Made us all happy although I am in a bit of a grump as my phone has just died on me, not that old (3-4 yrs)
ReplyDeleteVery annoying about your phone KP, not very old at all.
DeleteWe've had a mixed few days. We visited middle daughter at the weekend, our first long drive since my hip replacement. It was lovely to spend time with them all and the weather was lovely.
ReplyDeleteToday we went to my cousin's funeral. A sad occasion but a nice celebration of her life.
That's so sad.
DeleteIt was the same today, as has been for the last few days, cloudy and overcast in the mornings, but heats up as the afternoon progresses.
ReplyDeleteI am constantly watering the garden, as I am determined my many new plants thrive and survive. The lawns already are looking a bit scorched in places, but at least they don't need mowing just yet.
Hope all is well with you all. 😀
No takers for my suggestion, obviously.
ReplyDeleteOooh, Sorry Sarnia, I’ve only just seeen your suggestion for a meet up n Southampton. I’d be up for that, Wednesdays, Fridays or weekends are best for me.
DeleteThanks, KP. A Wednesday would be best for me. In my line of work things start hotting up towards the weekend.
ReplyDeleteSorry Sarnia, I am near Durham!
ReplyDeleteI think Sarnia is thinking of the Hampshire contributors Mistral.
DeleteYes!! Mrs.P. Oh dear.
DeleteWe could start a little later... ...
ReplyDeleteBe sure to give Archerphile the heads up on a possible meet up her return from holiday Sarnia. I have to say “The Cowherd” looks a really nice venue.
ReplyDeleteWould you be able to manage that, Lady R? It's not quite as posh as it thinks it is, but the surroundings are pleasant, it's easily accessible from the motorway and very much outside the town.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with organising your potential meet up Sarnia, but how will you travel there ?
DeleteIs there a bus to this place ?
Not at the moment Sarnia for various reason regarding Mr R and myself (not to mention road works galore) but be assured if circumstances change at anytime I will be sure to say so. So kind of you to suggest a Hampshire gathering however small it may be come the day ⭐️
DeleteI am just loving the sound of the "Hampshire Brigade" meet-up.
ReplyDeleteJust make the effort + do it, as I think all those who do go, will have such fun, a great meal and a wonderful catch-up.
DO IT - you all will be glad you did!
All two of us!
ReplyDeleteTwo is better than none and things might change.
DeleteOur trip to visit our daughter at the weekend has turned out to be somewhat expensive. Something hit and cracked the windscreen of Mr CC's car on the M40. He was in the process of changing insurance companies and this happened two days before one ended and the other commenced. The extent of the damage needs a new windscreen otherwise it will fail it's first MOT due in 3 weeks, a few days before we are due to visit another daughter.
ReplyDeleteWe don't think the new insurance will pay out and the old one has expired so we have decided to pay the £290 ourselves to be sure of the car passing it's MOT in time for our trip!
What a costly situation, at totally the wrong time.
DeleteI do wonder with new cars, as to why an MOT is still required at 3 yrs. With the newer and modern cars this should be 5yrs, but how to decide this.
My car is due for its 1st MOT in October but it has 5yr warranty from manufacturer..
The damage should be covered by the old insurance I would have thought, & windscreen repairs often don’t affect the no claims discount. Certainly enquire.
DeleteYes. As CC has just said, you were insured when it happened, so can claim on the old policy.
DeleteGood Luck + do it.
Oops read KPnuts not CC,
DeleteCC This happened to me, many years ago when I was shunted, so that the rear of my car was crumpled. It was done on the old policy, not helped as I was trading the car in the following day! I was only sitting at red traffic lights on my way home.
DeleteIt got sorted, and I still got my new car the next day - some-how !!
Definitely should be covered by your old insurers. It doesn't matter whether you had 2, 20 or 200 days left to run, you still had a contract with them.
DeleteI think I went via the insurer's website which directed me to their preferred repairer. I filled in the online forms, gave my policy number, and booked a fitting. The company dealt with the insurers directly for payment.
But I'd contact the insurers asap if I were you. Tell them when the crack occured and, if the quibble, explain your reasoning for not contacting them immediately.
Do let us know when you've got it sorted!
As OWIAS has said, report it so it is logged whilst still under their insurance cover.
DeleteWhat another gorgeous sunny + hot day, and after such a cold + harsh winter...it is so well needed.
ReplyDeleteMy afternoon has been so simple - reading a good book whilst on sun-lounger with 🐈⬛ beside me.
Organ preparation for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteIt will be so good. It's lovely that you still do this and you have my true admiration. 🤗 🎹
DeleteThat's very kind of you, Miriam, but after the two years' closure during lockdown and now another eight months' on piano over winter I'm more uncoordinated than I would like.
DeleteChuckle. It took a decade or two, Janice, but I think they're more or less aware of it now. That is to say, all the Very Important Men seem to have vanished over the horizon, so now if I'm not available for any reason they sometimes have to go without!
DeleteWhat another "noisy" afternoon in the garden, as the Liverpool take-off path is going directly overhead, so much so the Easy-jet orange fusilage is easily seen.
ReplyDeleteWhat has been interesting is looking on a flight tracker site, so know exactly where these planes are going...little things amuse little minds!
Hello All
ReplyDeleteBack home from the Baltic - visited 5 Countries and 7 Cities, all with beautiful weather and via very calm seas.
Shan’t bore everyone with all the news except to say I suffered really badly from swollen legs and feet throughout the cruise ( may be due to the BP drugs) and could only wear slippers the whole time, even ashore. Just couldn’t squeeze into anything else. Very painful and itchy. Then I have also developed severe shortness of breath on walking just a few yards and end up bent over and wheezing like a Grampus! Shall be making a GP appointment tomorrow.
But the places we visited were beautiful, seen from a tour bus, and the Scandinavian Capitals are so interesting architecturally and historically. We had Jools Holland and his band playing for 2 nights which we really enjoyed and enough delicious food to feed a Russian Army - diet starts tomorrow!
🇩🇰 🇸🇪 🇪🇪 🇫🇮 🇳🇴
So sorry to hear about your health problems Archerfile, but glad that you still managed to get some enjoyment from your trip. I hope that you will feel better soon.
DeleteGlad to hear of you safe return AP and that you finally got that cruise! A shame you were not A1 yourself and right idea to get yourself off to your surgery asap. How did you find your garden on your return? We have had and are still having very sunny, dry and breezy days an unusually long spell for the UK 🙃
ReplyDeleteAP, we are considering a Hampshire meet-up at The Cowherds on Southampton Common at some point in the not too distant future. So far there's just KP and me, but hopefully you might like to join us if your health problems can be resolved.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back AP.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fantastic cruise and holiday. Enjoy your Archers catch ups.
I am sure the swollen feet are due to "pills" . As said previously, I had exactly the same problem and could not get any shoes/sandals on by evening! It did get sorted and now have no problems at all..so persevere, though it does take time and is frustrating..
I remember being at a wedding, wearing lovely 10 denier sheer black tights when my feet got so swollen, they burst through ripping these tights and then had to discard the flat sandals I had changed into!
This was many years ago - but remember it so well.
Now, 9yrs later, this has never happened again, once ky meds were changed.
Hi Archerphile, I am glad you managed to enjoy your cruise despite the problems with your feet. Hopefully your GP will manage to sort out your meds fairly quickly.
ReplyDeleteAs Sarnia mentioned she & I are hoping to arrange a meet up in Southampton. Lady R is uncertain at the moment, I wasn’t sure whether that was due to being unable to leave SirR or the drive. may I suggest that he comes as well & I am happy to play taxi service if that would help. Obviously offer open to Archerphile as well.
KP, that is most generous of you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to the Hampshire contingent in organising their meet up.
ReplyDeleteNice offer from KP - and if/when it happens all goes well and friendships are consolidated.
Thinking from that…..
How is Cowgirl ?
We have not heard from her for a while.
Insert ……. Hope … all goes well
DeleteLady R, is KP's kind d offer of any assistance to you?
ReplyDeleteI only planted my window box 7 days ago now, and what a difference in just a week.
ReplyDeleteThis year, I came across a different variety of surfinia trailing petunias. These all have yellow centres with pink or purple outer edges, and are just gorgeous.
The other good thing is that the bees love them. Is this due to the yellow centre? Not sure...
Hello again everyone & thank you for your very welcomemessages.
ReplyDeleteI am writing this from a bed in Basingstoke hospital where my GP sent me this morning
Apparently my O2 levels drop severely on exercise which could be due to: a heart problem, long Covid or a new Covid infection I didn’t know I had, or most worryingly, a pulmonary embolism. So I am here on the ward after sitting in A&E for 4 1/2 hours feeling awful & will be here at least overnight waiting for assessment.
They think leg swelling is due to cellulitis in both legs so may be put on intravenous antibiotics.
I am Saving phone battery so may not write again for a while. If you hear nothing from me for a few weeks L’an Jan has my phone no & can contact Mr A (Gerald) for News
Cheerio for now
Oh dear, AP, what can I say! At least someone is trying to do something about it, but perhaps that's small comfort.
DeleteYolks Archerphile!! I hope the medics get you sorted soon, I’m sure we’re all sending healing thoughts in you’re direction.
DeleteIt’s a lovely idea for a meet up Sarnia and it’s a wonderful offer from KP to act a chauffeuse too.
DeleteObviously I am not sure what’s happening with me for a while so do go ahead without me if I am unable to join in soon
I hope that they get to the bottom of all your problems quickly Archerfile and that you can get back home soon.
DeleteAP. Take care and at least you are in the best place to finally get things sorted out, once and for all, but this not as you and Mr.AP would want..
DeleteI with everyone here -
Wish You Well, with a speedy recovery and it's just a minor "hiccup" and nothing more.
Thinking of you + Mr. AP 🤗🤗😍😍
New thread opened
ReplyDeleteI am trying to phone Archerphile's husband but the phone is engaged.
ReplyDeleteWill keep trying.
I speak regularly to Cowgirl and she and the animals are fine .
Laban, please don’t bother Gerald tonight - I expect he is updating the family on where I am.
DeleteI only meant to get news from him if I don’t manage to post for a couple of weeks or so - just do the group knows if Wi’m still alive!
I’d hate to disappear like Gary & leave you all in the dark!
Archerphile I have only just come back to the blog and did speak to your husband who was really nice and pleasant and understood why people would want to know how you are.
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't read your original message properly.
As usual I rushed ahead -and 'phoned.Your husband did say he didn't mind my phoning but he may have just being polite.
I will do as you ask and not phone him again for a while by which time hopefully you will be back home
All the best Archerphile
It certainly is KP and we are both bowled over at your very kind and thoughtful gesture.
ReplyDelete(WILL ONLY BE OF INTEREST TO HAMPSHIRE BLOGGERS) FEEL FREE TO PASS BY
As I have explained before (I think) Mr/Sir/Lord 🤣 R in himself is the same man he was in his 60’s fully interested in the goings on of life and loves a good laugh, unfortunately his mobility issues have progressively worsened to the point that venturing out beyond a few miles is a challenge, for instance to be caught up in traffic for a period of time for whatever reason would be a problem.Also we cannot always fulfil a prospective outing even if ready to actually go out (that mostly being due to a lack of not having “used the bathroom “ and therefore do not risk the outing.
However that part aside we did last Friday visit a mobility showroom and have ordered a Power Wheelchair which he can control with a joystick and turns on a sixpence it is new out and the lightest available in the world folds like a wheelchair but does not look anything like a normal model.
Not cheap of course but when able to pay for something that can improve one’s health situation worth every penny. Delivery is 2 weeks away and he will need a little time to get used to it. That said because we can not necessarily stay out for a specified amount of time we always use our car. The point of this rather long post is to say that if ever possible to join up for a cuppa it would be an on the day decision, also early starts are a no no for us another reason some social outings even with our closest friends have become curtailed.
Anyway I have spouted on for long enough just wanted to fully explain our situation to you KP ⭐️and Sarnia ⭐️ and to thank you again for your kind thoughts in suggesting a Hampshire mini gathering and possible assistance both truly appreciated.
‼️My goodness when I wrote my post the one above it was Sarnia thanking KP for her generous offer,
ReplyDeleteas soon as I published it the page updated and what a shock reading of Archerphile’s post holiday health situation! Like everyone else we send her our love and support ♥️