Life outside Ambridge


                                                         Treat from the farmers market 🤗

Comments

  1. Lady RFebruary 1, 2025 at 11:34 PM
    Miriam to follow up your kind enquiry (and any others that may be interested) an week ago Friday Mr R was once again taken into hospital re breathing and sodium and magnesium level problem. An ambulance in 5 mins! Fortunately this time only 2 full days and one night but as his last two admissions were only in September - 1week and November 3 weeks - at the very least hospital delirium has struck and has been around since the 3 week admission. Also changes in medication need to be thoroughly explored (Miriam you may well have a view regarding this) The symptoms are not all the time but when present are so distressing for us both of course I cannot show it I have to be calm and kind which I am happy to do to ease any angst that I can. Then pop out to make a cuppa, have a cry when necessary and return as before.
    His Dr is so kind. Last Monday I was due a phone call I had requested re medication as soon as I said he had been in hospital over Fri and Sat she said we will leave this call and I will come to see him at 1pm. She checked him over then did a quiz with him and another at home appointment will be made to assess further, not by her this time and maybe a scan. If - as she has been thinking it is delirium action can then be taken but ideally needs to be asap. Of course worse scenario- it could be my mum all over again. When he is clear minded it is crystal and when not very fanciful and much anxiety. Details of which tear me apart. However I am one of many people in this situation and others here will also have had experiences of their own. We are still managing a few local trips out, lucky to be living around lovely countryside and garden centres nearby. Also occasionally a shop 🙂 I have waffled on but this is the first quiet moment I have had to be able to let it all out!
    Thank you for your patience if you have stuck with my “tomb” to the end 🫢

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  2. OldWomanInAShoeFebruary 1, 2025 at 11:49 PM
    Oh Lady R, it all sounds horribly tough for you both.
    So glad Lord R got prompt hospital treatment, and that you have such a lovely and conscientious doctor.
    Praying for the problem to be identified swiftly and for effective treatment to relieve the symptoms. Do take care of yourself, won't you? Have you got family and friends who can help out with some meals, or to give you a short respite break? 🤗🙏

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    Cheshire CheeseFebruary 2, 2025 at 7:49 AM
    I'm so sorry to hear that things are still difficult for you Lady R. Having such an understanding GP must be helpful and I do hope that something can be done to ease your situation.

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    JaniceFebruary 2, 2025 at 9:33 AM
    Thinking of you Lady R. 🙏

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  3. Sarnia February 2, 2025 at 10:36 AM
    💔💔💔💔

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    SozFebruary 2, 2025 at 10:59 AM
    Sounds really tough Lady R. Sending positive, supportive vibes your way.

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    AmbridgesMrsPFebruary 2, 2025 at 12:47 PM
    The post I wrote late last night - to Lady R seems not to have posted ……
    So…..
    You are having such a difficult and wearing time.
    Talking it through, and crucially writing it down is in itself therapeutic, so write away and let us know how it’s all going, as frequently as you can and want to.

    You know very well that your online friends are here for you all the way, and beyond.

    A recent encounter with a person who it seemed clear to me had a condition similar to my mother, I found to be very distressing as it reminded me so much of how she was and what I had needed to experience. He has died over the Christmas period and the memories brought back to me about my mother as she died have been difficult. So I can fully understand how your present situation is bringing recurring memories for you.
    This time will pass Lady R.
    Your friends here and your friends around you will help you through this time and comfort you.

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  4. Lady R.
    Thanks for being so brave in giving such an update. What a wonderful GP he has and that you initially got to speak to her so quickly.
    I'm sure many here have had similar experiences so all can relate.
    Remember it often helps to off-load thoughts + feelings, and as we are anonymous, this can often make things easier to talk.
    I for one, wish that you feel OK to vent your frustrations + worries, amongst your virtual friends.

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  5. Replies
    1. I was thinking the very same thing Miriam. I do miss her posting about Liverpool football and puss etc and the clever poems she used to write!

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  6. Thank you so much for the love and support you are giving and I will take all of your advice on board. Bless each and every one of you 🙏🏼 🙂

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  7. Oh dear Lady and Mr R, we are so sorry to hear what you have both been going through - it is not fair you should have to spend your life with this worry and anxiety. But you do seem to have very helpful medical staff who will call on you, and hopefully keep Mr R out of hospital with the right prescriptions and care. But do make sure you look after yourself too, you are a very special person.

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  8. Just a note for anybody who enjoyed the TV series Home Fires on a few years ago. About how the village WI coped with the war. I think it was only on for 1 or perhaps 2 series and much missed when no more were made.
    It also had Daisy Badger in it and it was amusing to see what she actually looked like, having heard her play the part of Pip in TA.
    It will be shown at 6pm on the U&Drama channel, which is channel 20 on Freeview. I shall record the episodes to watch later.

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    1. It's started a few weeks ago, so tonight is eps 5+6, but all episodes are on the U app to watch from the beginning.
      I can't relate to Daisy Badger, in the same way I can't with Pip but no idea why.

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    2. Sorry, that should have been Home Front, I think. Blame predictive text!

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    3. Oh, Thanks Miriam. I didn’t realise it had already started, it was a photo at the top of the listing in R.Times that alerted me. I’ll try and catch up with the earlier episodes

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  9. We've had no water since about 5.00pm. A burst water main has been located and we've no idea how long it will take to fix.

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    1. That happened in our village too, last week. Hope you are not off too long.

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    2. The last time I was in touch with LanJan was to try to aid her in getting back on board with the blog.
      At which point she was so frustrated up and decided to give up and I think said she would try again in the NY.
      PtbY is in close contact I believe.

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    3. The water came back on this morning thankfully.

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  10. i would like to add my sympathy to Lady R having gone through diffillcult times with my late husband. i wish you the best for a rapid improvement. I was lucky that we have an excellent health service in the part of Italy I live in.

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    1. Thank you Gianna so lovely of you to think of us and to send your thoughts and wishes they mean a lot. 🥰

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  11. With regards to Lanjan, she’s fine. Had a chat with her at tea time. She’s spending her time sorting cupboards out and rearranging stuff till it’s time to get out in the garden. I hope to go down to visit her in the spring when the weather improves.

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    1. So good to hear ptby thank you 🤗

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    2. Lady R. Just read your long post from earlier. It must be a very emotionally difficult and draining time for you. I’m glad you are able to vent on here. Hope things improve for Mr R and yourself. Xx

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    3. ❤️ thank you ptby,as a dear relative of mine used to say “ There are good days and not so good days”so make the most of both really. The good ones are not so bad and if the weather and Mr R both ok we can have a little jaunt.

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  12. Lady R. I hope you won't mind me asking but on your wonderful jaunts out together, is Lord R still suitably mobile? I so hope so.

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    1. Walking is very difficult Miriam because of the many operations on his right knee. He uses his walker to get to the car and we manoeuvre his legs in. Once at our destination he has the use of his lightweight electric Zora power chair so once in that he is able to zoom around with me at times hobbling behind 🤣 🫢 I don't mind you asking me in the least I think it is very kind of you to show concern.

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  13. Mrs P.
    Others pass by.
    You asked about Bro-in-law and his procedure. Things did not go as planned as when he was diagnosed 6 yrs ago it was atrial flutter which happened now + again + controlled by meds. He had check-ups and things were not as good, so extra meds added in by consultant. On a routine clinic last year, things were not under control, hence the pacemaker and cancellation of their trip to OZ.
    To cut a long story short, when the procedure was being attempted it was found that there were more problems than thought, so after discussions a more drastic one was done.
    What this now means is that the electrical stimulation of his heart-beat is now fully controlled by the pace-maker.
    As such his meds have been reduced, and he suddenly feels so much better and has so much more energy.
    He can now live a much better and full normal life again.
    His aim is to play a round of golf, without having to use a buggy.

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    1. Well I did not pass by Miriam and found your post most informative. So pleased for your brother in law and wish him well with his aim to walk for a round of golf and leave that buggy behind 🙏🏼

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  14. We have been very much enjoying the Monty Don series featuring lovely gardens throughout Britain. It is so interesting to see different types of garden from the very formal with lots of topiary, to the wild and natural spaces or tiny but well stocked gardens created by some gardeners. A big surprise was the huge garden of the late George Harrison in Henley which he resurrected from a complete wilderness to beautiful parkland. We lived nearby when first married and never knew he lived there.
    My only quibble is why Monty insists on wearing a crumpled string of blue material looped round his neck on visits. It can’t provide any warmth - perhaps it’s a lucky charm.

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    1. AP I believe this was explained as being for continuity purposes. As the programmes cannot necessarily be shot in sequence, wardrobe have to be very careful that Monty's clothing correctly matches that of the previous session.

      The scarf provides a focal point to distract from any continuity error which might have escaped notice.

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    2. Hmm.. thanks for the explanation Sarnia. Not quite sure that it can be a good continuity prop as it is often tied or draped in different ways. We think he is starting to show his age with this new series. Like all of us he is getting older and it shows! How sad. 😔

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    3. I’ve been enjoying that programme too AP - British Gardens on Friday night. There is so much rubbish on tv imo, I will miss it when it’s finished. This week’s is the last one; it covers the south west I think but you can watch all of them on iPlayer. The gardens are his personal choice and many of them I haven’t seen before. The thread running through the series is to find if there is a common ingredient to a British garden. I think it is the gardeners themselves - often eccentric but always with a passion and a vision.
      He did say that it has taken over a year to make the series so Sarnia’s explanation about the blue scarf makes sense.

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  15. I’ve been watching this Monty Don series. I cannot believe how many gorgeous gardens there are in this country. I’ve been blown away by this series.
    I noticed on last weeks program that Monty doesn’t have any eyebrows! Really weird.

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  16. I agree AP that the blue scarf is a bit tatty and he is showing his age. I find that comforting in a way as I’m definitely showing mine!!!!
    PtbY I haven’t noticed his eyebrows or rather, lack of them. I’ll look closer this week.

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  17. My daughter asked me in our last conversation if I had been watching. She is a great garden enthusiast and said this had been a wonderful series. Due to watching it she has booked for myself and her sister to visit the garden near Bath that was featured. I will have to catch up on Iplayer.

    PS - I don’t have any eyebrows either.
    Perhaps MD has Alopecia too !

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  18. Miriam

    Thank you so much for providing further information about your bro IL and his pacemaker. That gives me more information to add to my understanding of what might be possible regarding pacemakers.
    Can I ask please which / where he is being treated if in the UK.

    About ten days ago I felt that mine had finally kicked in and I was able to walk without becoming overwhelmed or breathless. However since then on occasion, not every day, when walking those symptoms are returning a little.

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    1. He's under Broadgreen in Liverpool, even though they live in N.Wales.
      He's only 75yrs and is thrilled with the outcome, The procedure done is irreversible and as such his pace-maker is now permanent.
      As he says he can live with it all, the onus being on live normally.

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  19. Having just googled MD scarf he confirmed Sarnia’s explanation scenes are often edited out of the programme so it helps with continuity. However he absolutely loves scarves and has many many of them from heavy winter weight to finest silk ones! There is an antique expert who appears on Bargain Hunt that is of similar mind, a lovely man - Philip Serrell always wears a scarf and it is fascinating to see his choice of the day whenever he appears.
    MD also loves his blue cotton jacket too 🤭

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    1. A bit naughtily, we wondered if Monty was up for a gong at Windsor Castle, (services to gardening) he would still wear one of his unstructured blue jackets - or would he invest in a proper suit? And he’d have to have a haircut! 🤭

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  20. Anima dashboard.

    My son has discovered how to access my information: click on 'These issues are now closed (or some such similar statement). This changes colour and shows a blue dot. Click on the blue dot, which brings up a blue button that says 'closed'. Click on this and it brings up the latest message from the surgery. Got that?

    And they claim it's simple to use!!!

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    1. No wonder that you've been having problems. Whoever designed that software doesn't seem to have a clue!

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  21. Lady R. I'm so pleased that Lord R is independent in his own way with getting around. This must help him (and you) a lot as to being in control of his own whizzing around..

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    1. 👍 yes indeed! I had a click and collect parcel to pick up at our very local Waitrose today and Mr R was able to come along too as both the weather and himself ok today so plenty of whizzing was done around the store 🏎️ 🤣 very tired afterwards though.

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  22. Been with Lady for a little tour of parts of Exmoor today, Dulverton and Exford and Tarr Stepps where we did a 2 mile circular walk around the river Barle.
    We are both very tired.

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    1. I'm pleased to hear that you were able to do your walk MrsP. How's the ankle holding up?

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    2. The ankle is fine once I get going, it’s after even the slightest rest that it’s difficult.
      I can often be seen hobbling and apparently unable to walk, and that’s usual when I get out of the car, ( left foot/gear change position ). And of course it looks dramatic to others. But when walking on the flat it’s actually very good. Yesterday’s walk did have some ups and downs ( downs very painful ! ) but they were doable.
      Also, Lady looks out for me.
      She seems to understand when I’m in pain and if I’m slow at any point she watches and waits for me if I stop. Once I get going again she happily goes ahead once more.
      Thanks for asking CC.
      I had a call from admissions on Monday to confirm I’m still on the list, but it won’t be in February, so I’m hoping for March.

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  23. It's been a lovely sunny day here and not too cold. We made a spur of the moment decision to visit RHS Bridgewater which still had a lot of interest even though it's winter. It is maturing nicely since it opened nearly four years ago. What caught my eye today was all the different shapes of the fruit trees trained against the south facing wall in the kitchen garden. They are less noticeable when all the foliage is on.

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  24. The fog hasn’t lifted all day here in the Midlands. It’s been frustrating as you could see where the sun was behind the mist but the fog was too thick for any sunshine to penetrate. RHS Bridgewater has been on my list of gardens I would like to visit since it first opened to the public. Those 4 years have gone quickly. Thinking of gardens of interest in the winter, Hilliers near Romsey in Hampshire has a beautiful winter garden well worth a visit.

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  25. Just completed Wordle as part of my morning routine, got it in six but seriously unimpressed, American English grrr

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    1. I usually do it immediately after midnight, but reading your post KP I’ve just completed it in four and easily.
      But …. It was a try - not expecting it to be accepted and simply didn’t understand what the bl…dy word meant till I looked it up.
      Agree AE grr !

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    2. I got it in 3. Pure guess. Didn’t know it was a word.

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  26. Yes, I agree. I have been trying to change some of my little nearly 3 grandson's pronunciation. His mum lets him watch toddler type programmes. Some are educational and okay, but a lot of them are American and gonna, wanna, are commonplace. Also the Philippines have been/are strongly subject to American influence and his mum's pronunciation of English is Americanized.
    Following on from that I find the American children's programmes are more aggressive than European ones, cars and lorries repeatedly crash into each other as if that is normal and fun.
    Max likes lego very much and I have to join in his play, and have tried to divert him from crashing the cars he builds by constructing a tree with a little cat stuck up it and while I miaow and ask to be rescued, and also play the bystanders phoning for help, he brings his little fire engine and ladder to rescue it and take it home for its tea. Something more positive than crashing cars.
    I feel strongly there should be far more monitoring of online sites. A week or so ago Max was watching a programme ostensibly about lego construction, and fortunately both myself and his mum were present, when suddenly a lego figure appeared carrying a machete axe type weapon, he decapitated one of the lego figures in front of him and then proceeded to chop him up. We turned it off fast, but if we hadn't been with him he would have watched the whole programme, and I have no doubt it would have continued in the same vein. Think of a busy mother in the kitchen while her child watched it in another room. This was a programme aimed at 3 to 6 year olds! And with this kind of early brainwashing is it surprising why there is so much violence in society.
    I was very cross. We had turned it off but my son later managed to locate and watch it. He works online and is skilled at doing online things but he wasn't able to take it down himself. He did red flag it to the site hosting it, and hopefully they will do something about it.
    Come back Mary Whitehouse! Is there any moral code left in society? and if church attendance is declining ( and I realise churches weren't always perfect) who is going to provide a sense of what is right and what is wrong? Who is there that children can look up to as inspiring mentors today?
    Am just waiting for a Morrisons order to arrive so had better go and get my bags ready.

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    1. We often say how glad we are not to be bringing up children in the current environment. Trying to navigate all the things that are around us while still allowing a normal social life must be so difficult.

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    2. I wholeheartedly agree CC. Present day parents of young children have a minefield to cross, trying to shield them from inappropriate programmes, games and other outside influences. Even toddlers TV needs monitoring.
      When I hear there has been another youngster killed in a knife attack, or suffering from drug abuse or recruited by one of those county lines gangs I thank my lucky stars they grew up in the 70s - 80s……before internet, smart phones etc. You’d think, surely you would be able to protect your own children, but the whole world is open to them outside of home and it’s not a very nice world these days. 😔

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    3. I was liking the OZ ruling that smart-phones are now to be banned for U-16's. However how can this be controlled and what use will it do, when youngsters can use parents laptops etc.
      Then at 16yrs they can a smart-phone in their own right, so their own access to social media sites etc.
      To me it has to come down to parental control, but only if friends parents have the same rules and controls.
      Sorry, but I feel strongly about this, esp. as on the Sunday after Christmas, when all were together for a fabulous meal + get-together, my 13yr old gt.neice was constantly on her 'phone as she was bidding for an item on a site!

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  27. I've just paid for this years green garden bins collection £52.50.
    It seems a lot, but in reality it is just £1 a week, and is far better than having to make constant trips to the tip.
    It still really annoys me that this isn't free, as it once was.

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    1. ...plus last year, a neighbour of mine, had his green bin emptied every time, without having a valid + paid for permit!


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    2. Some time ago I had a second container - not very large in comparison to the green bin, alongside. I hovered when the truck arrived and checked that it was OK to have a second container. The fella was very nice and said thats fine don’t worry.
      We have one bin for the four flats which sometimes is not enough. My neighbour, now downstairs, had a very overgrown garden to clear and it was all taken to the tip by her and a helper. I’ve had to chop down and have dug out a magnificent shrub that we have discovered has been responsible for roots growing into the drains. There are four large sacks plus the root in my shed which I will need to get to the tip in the next day or so.

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    3. I'm on our council's Waste and Recycling focus group. I think our longest ever meeting was the one where we discussed moving from free combined food waste and garden waste collections to separating the two and charging for the garden waste. The initial driver was a major cut in central government funding which meant the council needed to make savings of £millions on its services.
      A big consideration was, whilst we may think it is unfair that we are charged for our garden waste to be removed, under the existing system, everyone was paying through this service through their council tax - was this fair to thouse without gardens?
      The teams who empty the bins have lists of who has a paid for bin. So people like Miriam's neighbour should not be getting a collection. (Sorry, I've no information on whether they stick to this.)

      Food waste collection has continued to be weekly and free. The waste goes off to the anaerobic digester to generate methane for electricity production, and agricultural fertilizer. I believe the system could also utilise the heat produced to heat local homes - except the plant is situated too far from local houses to make this practicable.

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    4. Years ago I was on The Putney Society’s Waste and Recycling Committee and we went through the same procedures as you describe OwiaS.
      Because I lived on a Local Authority housing estate where most people did not have gardens and the extensive green areas were looked after by the council I was in a position to offer a different perspective to others on the committee who were either householders with gardens or flat dwellers without.
      We were able to feed our findings through to WBC and contribute towards the planning of the huge Anaerobic Digester way down in North Kent which we visited on one occasion.
      I’m booked on a tour of our local water infiltration site next week here at Dunster Marsh.

      I rarely put my food waste bin out for collection as most of my waste goes into my compost bin, and I used my first compost recently to mulch my new rhubarb roots given to me last autumn.
      Very excited to be looking forward to pulling my own rhubarb this coming year.

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    5. I'm surprised just how few of my neighbours put food caddies out for collection. As others have said they put their food waste into compost piles, but believe me when I say, this is not the case by me.
      The only ones who do put food caddies out, are the senior citizens like myself.
      I can only think it comes down to how households cook, and how.

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    6. Our local authority is truly pathetic when it comes to recycling, very limited on what plastic they will take, bottles only, no food waste collection, garden waste collection over £110pa (hiked by>50% last year)for a sketchy fortnightly service. They have one of the worst recycling rates in the country I believe. They are very keen on “energy reclamation” ie burning waste to produce energy but this produces significant pollution.

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  28. Well done JANICE for attempting to moderate your G child’s vocabulary.
    I actually heard ‘ gonna ‘ by a presenter on R4 last week.
    I cringed.
    I applaud the change to regional accents away from RP on R4 but abhor sloppy pronunciation.

    I didn’t like Mary Whitehouse and I would not want her back, but she correctly
    forecast the changes we now have to live with.
    The wheel will turn again and spin in the opposite direction one day.

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    1. I have a problem with how my 10yr old gt.nephew eats, but it's nothing to do with me. He hardly ever uses a knife to cut his food up, but just spears things up with a fork and stuffs into his mouth. If it doesn't fit in one go, he just bites bits off the food on the fork.
      This just irritates me but times change, I suppose.

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    2. My daughters referred to cutlery as table decorations for some years, they knew to eat properly when in company, but when it was just us…..

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    3. I have discovered via my daughter in law that filipinos eat primarily with spoons and forks, and rarely use knives. Spoons because rice is their staple in the same way potatoes are ours, and it is much easier to scoop up rice dishes with a spoon.

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    4. My problem is, seeing him eating a lovely piece of Roast Beef speared onto a fork and chewing it off in pieces.

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  29. Now in hospital with yet another chest infection, or possibly the same one that never went away. They are pumping me full of horse dope and have just added an oral antibiotic as well.

    Unsurprisingly I also have pneumonia and am on oxygen. It's a blessed relief to be out of that house constantly surrounded by things I can't cope with.
    Definitely got my appetite back and BP back down to where it was 20 years ago.

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    1. Sarnia Mr R was in your situation last November so I am sending my understanding of it and all that it entails - also 💐🥰
      Did you phone for an ambulance yourself and are you in Southampton General? Can understand how you felt at home surrounded by jobs you could see needing doing but unable to do anything about them, even so when you get home do take things slowly.
      Spring (we hope) is on its way and boy can we all do with its floral delights to lift our spirits!

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  30. I am so sorry you have had so much ill health recently Sarnia. At least you are in the right place and being looked after.
    Not sure what horse dope is but hope after all the treatment you will be racing around like a young thoroughbred. 🏃‍♀️‍➡️
    Where do horses go when they are sick?
    Horsepital. 😀

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    1. Extra strong antibiotics only given intravenously in hospital!

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    2. Sarnia. Sorry to hear things have worsened. Hopefully the hospital can get a proper handle on it and clear it up. MrNuts & I are just returning to normal after 3+ weeks of what was a viral chest infection which left me with a touch of pleurisy, a first for me & not something I wish to repeat, I am having an internal debate as to whether to go back to the ibuprofen today or stay on the naproxen for another day.. I hope you feel better soon

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    3. KP good to hear some progress health wise for yourself and Mr Nuts. The coughs and colds of this winter seem to take weeks (as you have found) to begin to clear. As I have advised Sarnia do take care for a little while yet and I am also sending to you 💐🥰

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    4. I’m very pleased to hear that Sarnia is in hospital at last getting the treatment she has needed over recent weeks but has been failed by what has sounded like a convoluted system for getting basic help from her GP Practice.
      I sincerely hope that the combination of horse dope and perhaps camel hair in the mix too, enables her to pull through and return to decent health so that she can return home and recuperate in her magical garden.

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  31. How is everyone else on the blog with health issues faring? The years are beginning to show cracks in us all it seems 🤭 AP and Mr AP how are you both appointments wise at the moment I think of you often and others who post here too. 🙏🏼

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  32. Well Lady R…….. I’m not doing too well.
    After thinking that my pacemaker had kicked in at last and that all would be well, within a week or so I was experiencing symptoms again. Not anything as serious as previously but there all the same, although only from time to time.
    However on Thursday I had an episode that was worse than any other when walking slowly and on a flat surface.
    I read a couple of articles about pacemakers and why one might be required in a BHF magazine and decided to ring a helpline.
    The cardiac nurse I spoke to was so good. She listened to my chronological history without interruption and explained what she thought was going on. She urged me to call 111 and felt sure I needed to return to hospital for further investigations.
    I, and others that I spoke to, knew that if I did call 111 I would have been in Musgrove by midnight. Without care for Lady in place I would not do that.

    The couple that would have Lady have a dog visitor until next Tuesday.
    My other friend is now homeless.
    I have yet to inform my daughters of this current news, but do know that I need to although I do not want to worry them.
    A conundrum of course !
    After conversations with trusted friends I have decided to do as little walking as possible until Tuesday when I know Lady can be looked after and then see about getting further help myself.
    I have to admit that the episode on Thursday when I needed to lean against a tree for ten minutes or so before I felt able to continue the walk, ( I didn’t continue, but returned to the car where I sat for another ten minutes before driving home ) has frightened me.
    Lady will make do with sedate and short walks to the park for the next few days.

    I do want to emphasise that I am fine in myself, not feeling unwell or at all weak.
    From what the cardiac nurse told me, she thinks that the two chambers in my heart are out of sync, and that this needs to be looked at.


    We are all walking wounded aren’t we, but fighting to continue as best we can.

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    1. Sorry to hear of your dilemma Mrs P and can appreciate how frightening an experience it was for you. As Miriam has said only recently (regarding her brother in law) various adjustments can be needed when a pacemaker has been fitted and individual ones at that. Very wise - if frustrating to take it easy now until Tuesday when you can be checked out.
      Sending best wishes 💐

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    2. My problem as I perceive it Lady R is that when I returned to see a consultant because I felt that all was not well, he told me in a very patronising tone that “ we do not tweak pacemakers “ .
      I know this to be untrue, since I have met a person who had his fitted in the same week as me, who a few weeks later has his ‘tweaked ‘.
      He is in Swindon.
      Miriam has explained about her BiL in Liverpool having his PM altered.
      And - the cardiac nurse told me that the consultant was wrong to tell me that, and she explained what could be done.
      Unfortunately my GP seems to feel that she must abide by what that consultant told me.

      Delete
    3. Ask for another GP’s opinion Mrs P and explain what the cardiac nurse told you after all it’s your health and also as an Aries I know you will persevere 👏🏻

      Delete
    4. Mrs P. You asked me about my BIL's procedures, which I did. His, and others, problem is probably very different to yours, so please don't quote me in comparison.
      Just get the help you need. Why not ask family/friends/neighbours to help out with Lady.
      Your health is so important and there has to be a solution.

      Delete
    5. To add Mrs P. I didn't tell completely all about BIL and his procedure done (often called a Last Resort one) and as a result, his pace-maker is now 100% controlling his heart.
      The pacemaker was not tweaked and I didn't intimate that.
      Please get the help you need so to give you your normal active life back...

      Delete
    6. Miriam - please don’t be concerned that I am either quoting you - re your BiL - or using his situation as a comparison.
      I was explaining that other procedures or changes were possible, when I had been told by a consultant that ‘they’ did not ‘ tweak ‘ PMs.
      I am fully aware that each patient’s situation is unique to them.

      I am at the moment in the queue waiting to speak to the surgery.

      And thank you Lady R.

      Delete
  33. Sarnia, I am very glad that you are in hospital at last and being cared for in a safe 🤞environment. I hope all that ‘horse dope’ is doing its job and they keep you there until you’re free of infection. Many thanks to all those scientists from Marie Curie onwards (and probably before) who have given us these life saving drugs. Since being in hospital for various ops, I am increasingly aware of our dependence on antibiotics. I know that much work is being done on something to replace them as they will inevitably become less effective.

    Mrs P I hope you can get a second opinion on your pacemaker. Consultants are not gods and the best among them know this. I know nothing about pacemakers but would be surprised if one kind fits all and fine adjustments can’t be made. Good luck

    ReplyDelete
  34. Soz, I completely agree. Very best wishes to Sarnia and Mrs. P not forgetting Lady R and Archerphile and anyone else not feeling 100%.

    ReplyDelete
  35. We've been away for the weekend visiting our middle daughter and family so I've only just caught up with the blog. I'm sorry to hear about your health problems Sarnia and MrsP and hope that things improve for you both soon.
    I think that I'm starting to show my age as I'm really looking forward to being back in my own bed tonight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not an age thing at all, as there's nothing like your own bed. Mine is my own and individual comfort zone.
      Mind you, I do have a double bed all to myself and sleep diagonally across it!

      Delete
    2. Re your last sentence Miriam - Me too !
      I fall out of a single bed.

      Delete
  36. Just a little warning to anyone with an Apple device, iPad, etc.
    On Saturday an update was sent out which , dutifully, I downloaded as I always do.
    Unfortunately it affected my email, which is btinternet.com and I have been unable to send emails, though have been able to receive them
    I have just spent nearly 2 hours on the phone trying to sort out the problem and it appears that the upgrade is incompatible with the Bt email system on Apple devices.
    However I was told how to download and use the Bt email app which works perfectly.
    I now have 2 separate programmes on here, one for Bt email & one for Google email.
    So if anyone is having Bt email problems give them a ring….the chap who was helping me had infinite patience and talked me through the whole process.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad he was helpful. Last time I had cause to call BT about email problems (they kept getting stuck in the outbox) the explanation changed at least twice during the call. I think at one stage I was told I had been blocked for seven days as a security measure for resetting my password too many times. Why did I reset it? Because the previous helpline person I spoke to told me to do so!

      Currently I am blocked from Etsy and a couple of other websites because they have decided I am a bot, or possibly they just dislike me. Whether or not this is linked to not being able to listen to BBC Sounds on Firefox I couldn't say. Fortunately I can still acceess everything on Edge - but it's still a nuisance!

      Delete
    2. Archerphile, thanks for the heads up, I have a BT email on an Apple device. I have previously used the BTapp whenI had a problem but I really didn’t like it. Hopefully BT or apple can sort this out before I need to send an email

      Delete
    3. I now have the BT email ap and a trying to get used to it - it is quite different from Apple email so I am on a steep learning curve. I dislike now having to go to two different sites to read my emails, it was so easy to have them both together in the one place. Such is progress!

      Delete
  37. I’ve now had a conversation with my GP.
    She has put me on a very low dose of beta blockers.
    I shall pick up my prescription sometime today.
    Good news too tho’, I had an appointment with a hand therapist in a lovely little community hospital in a village outside of Taunton. It consisted of therapy units only. Physio, Neurology, Hydro pool among others.
    The hand therapist made me a new state of the art thumb splint and gave me a better glove than my present one. Both very comfortable.
    Best of all, she told me that I would be an ongoing patient in recognition of constant changes to arthritic hands, and that I could always ring the department if in urgent need.
    Some elements of the NHS are working well !
    It’s such a relief.
    I had a lovely hand therapist in Stroud, but it’s taken the best part of three years to get to see someone here in Somerset.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're perseverance paid off MrsP. I hope that the Beta blockers help.

      Delete
    2. Well done Ms P as I predicted 🤗 The Community Hospitals are worth there weight in gold for those of us lucky to be near one!

      Delete
  38. I had fun last night - yes another live mouse! Again this took refuge behind my glass tv corner unit, and pusscat went behind it. Next thing,
    both my router + tv went off, so it was forget about tea and sort out.
    There's so many wires but luckily it was simple, as I have a bar for plugs all of which have individual switches. These had all been switched off.
    Next thing mouse runs and hides behind the settee, where I managed to trap it but couldn't get it. Thankfully the wellie boot trick worked, so after an hour it was released outside.
    Now as for the moles (I think), burrowing under the path down the side of the house - a story for another day!
    I have no idea what to do to sort.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to know the Wellington boot trick please Miriam.
      As for the moles, just be grateful to them for giving you perfect soil for seedlings, and potting up. Mix it with bought potting compost.

      Well done for not being a
      Pointless screaming female.

      I’ve been regaled by mouse catching tales from my daughter in the last two weeks. I suppose the cold snap is tempting them to come inside.

      I’ve had such a good day.
      Another trip to Dulverton ( a town that Lan Jan found to be uninspiring)
      One particular Arts and Crafts house there is enough to excite me, but just one previous trip and people there are remembering me, which is very welcoming.
      And in the charity shop where last week I bought a lovely dark purple cardigan - and worn it twice since - I bought more today, two dresses and a wrap as well as four belts - obviously donated by the same person - each of which was extendable. My G daughter was telling me at Christmas that because she is so skinny she can’t keep her trousers up and can’t find any belts small enough for her. I made her a temporary belt, but now I shall send these to her. I know the problem, I had the same when I was young.
      Oh to be that slim again !
      Spent so much time in the charity shop talking, I now have two new friends with personal details swapped.

      Delete
    2. I'm afraid that where mice are concerned I am (almost) a pointless screaming female. Mice belong in windmills, not shoes.

      I still remember an early French lesson: 'Madeleine est sur la chaise. La souris est sous la chaise. Madeleine est sur la table. etc, etc.' Not sure if the mouse ever got its comeuppance or managed to escape ...

      Delete
    3. The two male pet cats (we have a lot of semi feral ones on the farm) are large and look quite tough individuals but don’t hunt; the pretty little female pet cat, is a fierce hunter and frequently brings us presents of the little furry things - dead and alive. Often she eats them but leaves one part, which isn’t to her taste, on the stairs or landing to be trodden on in the dark by unsuspecting humans.

      I agree with Mrs P about the soil your mole is digging up ~ make use of it.

      Delete
    4. Soz - I’ve often wondered how it works on farms with house cats and the feral ones.
      Please explain, I would love to know.

      Delete
    5. Also…… my cat hunts, mostly mice, but often doesn’t bother to eat them.
      If Lady can get there first Puss doesn’t have the option as Lady will scoff them !
      Once Puss brought a live one in and let it go.
      For the next hour it was a struggle twixt cat dog and me as to who would catch it.
      Eventually Puss got it, still alive but exhausted and terrified, and ran upstairs with it to his feeding station which was a window alcove, with me very close behind and Lady eager to be in on the act.
      I seized Puss by the neck, got the mouse by its tail, let go of the cats neck and opened the window with my spare hand and threw the poor creature onto my neighbour’s bushes.
      Two very disappointed animals for the rest of that evening.

      Delete
  39. Dear ladies, an update. Still in hospital, on oxygen and no nearer to fixing the chest infection.

    However they have solved the problem of the shaky hands: I've had several scans, thinking to find evidence of a stroke or Parkinson's; what they actually found was a rather we!l- developed brain tumour.

    To be honest it's a relief.Please don't feel sad or anxious for me . Life has been one long uphill battle for so long that I've run out steam long since and no longer want to have to cope, I just want to be looked after.

    The prognosis is under three months so if you stop hearing from me you'll know the reason why

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarnia I am returning to you so much love and support. As my dear local blogger friend I am of course more than saddened to her your news you have given me a lift in spirits so often and I love you for that. Are you in Southampton Hospital I was there 40 yrs ago this year with my spinal tumour which was found in my case to be benign but I am so aware of the work they do there. You will be in my thoughts at all times. Blog as and when you can
      you are a stalwart of our loving group. Bless you 🙏🏼💐


      Delete
    2. Yes, Southampton ward G9, blue room bed 5.

      Delete
  40. Thank you for that information Sarnia I will be in touch look out for the postman…..remember I know your correct name via Mr Google

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thank you Lady R, that is so thoughtful.

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  42. Thank you for letting us know what's been happening Sarnia. I'm sorry that it's not better news but at least you now know what you are dealing with. I hope that you will now get the care which you have been battling for and deserve ❤️🌹

    ReplyDelete
  43. Sarnia. I can't say anything more than others haven't already so eloquently said.
    I'm sending Love ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  44. So shocked to hear that Sarnia. Impossible to know what to say except I am sending lots of love.🙏❤️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarnia, I am so shocked by your news. I sincerely hope that the medics get your chest infections under control so that you can breathe comfortably and rest more easily. I hope you are being very well looked after, which you deserve, you have certainly struggled to get this care. Sending my very best wishes and love xxx

      Delete
    2. Oh Sarnia, so sorry to hear this. Lots of love and prayers 💖💖💖

      Delete
  45. Just to let folks know that Lanjan has had her second cataract op done and all is well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 👁️ that’s good to know 🫢👍thanks for passing on Lanjan’s good news ptby.

      Delete
  46. Sarnia, life’s a bummer. That is not the news any of us want to hear but at least you know what you’re dealing with now and why you’ve been feeling so rotten. My sister was in Southampton hospital with a brain tumour; she did not die of the tumour and she did have much longer to live than was predicted. From her bed you could see the landing pad for the air ambulance on top of one of the hospital buildings. I wonder if you can see it from your ward - won’t be a plane landing but a helicopter’s next best thing !?! Can you walk around or are you confined to bed?
    Sending my love and very positive vibes x

    ReplyDelete
  47. Sarnia I would just like to add my best wishes to you,

    ReplyDelete
  48. I’ve just caught up with the postings.
    Sarnia I am very sorry to hear your news. You have a very stoical approach to it. I hope you get well looked after and they sort your chest infection out to make you more comfortable. 💐

    ReplyDelete
  49. Sarnia I hope the food is good and the other people in the ward are pleasant.

    Mrs P asked about how feral cats mix on the farm where there are pet cats. They are very wary of each other. I would say ours are semi feral and have names. On the cat network we must have the reputation of being an A star hostelry - fresh supply of milk and food ( I know cats shouldn’t have milk but ours do and they seem to live a long time ). Every so often another one appears, some stay, some move on. The nucleus of the group are brothers and sisters. Last year one of this group must have been feeling unwell and stayed curled up in the undergrowth, one of her sisters was seen bringing her food - leaving dead mice and shrews for her to eat! At night, they sleep in their nest in a hay bale in a barn, one on top of each other. Now the pampered pets fiercely try to defend their territory and there are some confrontations in the lane between the milking parlour and our cottage.
    Our dog is extremely wary of the cats - she knows her place!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Sarnia. Like everyone else here I am sorry to hear your news. Please feel free to message me if you need anything. Hopefully they will be able to get you comfortable and maybe home to your garden, snow drops & hellebores in bloom here.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I thought of you Miriam as I was booking to go to Chester Zoo next Monday. Eldest daughter and family are visiting us this weekend and our granddaughter wanted to go to the zoo. As I was paying the eye watering amount I wondered if you still visit as much as you used to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Didn’t Miriam used to have an annual membership CC ?
      If she did I expect it gave her either free or reduced entry.

      I know what you mean about eye watering tho’.
      I used to love going to Kew for a farthing and going through the turnstiles.
      I don’t know what it costs now but I think the last time I checked it was £17.00
      Haven’t been for years now.
      I do hope your expensive trip was worthwhile for your granddaughter.

      Delete
    2. CC and Mrs P. You are right. I used to have a Zoo membership but it hasn't been renewed recently.
      It is something that I have been looking at again. There is no longer a senior discount so a normal adult for a year is £131.
      This is still good value for money, as if I do just a monthly visit, it works out at good value, plus it only about a 15+ min drive, if the roads are clear.
      The advantage of this is, that it can be a quick visit or a longer one, depending on mood and what can be seen, which is always so variable. Also the gardens are always looking lovely.

      Delete
  52. I'm still a bit down after yesterday's posts.
    My mole story is still ongoing, as the little b××gers are now half- way up and under my front drive. I'm just waiting to see where they'll go next, hopefully they are going to turn right, onto a neighbours property 😀.
    There's no problems, we'll just yet, and it's fascinating me in a strange way.
    They are not harming me, so why should I harm them. However this thought might well change.

    ReplyDelete
  53. First of all I am so sorry to hear your news, Sarnia, but am glad that your problem has been recognised and you are receiving the care you should have had for so long and feel more comfortable.
    Miriam, I don't know if you would remember Jasper Carrot, but he has a sketch about moles, which you might appreciate. A friend whose lawn has been wrecked, wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry!
    Best wishes to you all

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some years ago my parents had badgers in the garden. They discovered them when Dad fell through the ground and into a badger tunnel up to his shoulders!
      Conversations with the insurers established that the house was covered but the garden wasn't. Fortunately the (not so) little darlings were persuaded to leave before they excavated the whole garden.
      In comparison, the mole hills at their next house were in no danger of being made into mountains!

      Delete
    2. I'm just sitting + watching at the moment.
      Bufo, I can't remember what Jasper Carrot said about moles, perhaps it's better I don't.
      I'm sure it's not badgers, those these are close by. The mounds of what is made up of stones/sand, would be bigger I would think, and they would be causing far more destruction.



      Delete
  54. I am so glad you are still here talking. I think of you often and how much mum valued your conversations. My episode of The Chase is finally airing on Wednesday 19th February (next week). I have left teaching and retrained as a dog groomer working from home and business is building and the dogs are happier (as am I). Still marking exam papers though to top up the income. Anyway if you want to see me it is serious 17 episode 125! New account as my old google profile was linked to my old work account.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How lovely to hear from you again
      I'll certainly be watching.
      How on earth have you managed not to tell how you did after such a long time?
      I couldn't keep quiet.
      It sounds you are now doing what you want to do and it is suiting you.
      Whenever I see or hear anything relating to the IoW, I still think of Mum.Ev, as I knew her.
      Take Care.

      Delete
    2. How nice to hear from you DaughterofEV2- yes we are still here but sadly about to lose another member of our lovely conversation group.
      We still from time to time mention Ev.
      She is not forgotten and she was a valuable and sane contributor, always ready to give a calm and reasonable few words.
      Thank you for not forgetting us and keeping in touch.

      Delete
    3. DaughterofEV2…..I was just thinking of you tonight when the chase came on. I will be watching on Wednesday.
      Pleased to hear of your dog grooming business. I bet it suits you down to the ground.

      Delete
    4. It really does and very transferable skills from teaching as a lot of it involved dealing with people as much as their dogs. I listen to radio 4 a lot while working the dogs seem to like it although interesting noises get head cocks and puzzled looks!

      Delete
    5. I'm glad Sarnia has someone with her. It is so sad losing people and grief is a funny animal, but there is comfort from being together at the end for everyone. We just lost my aunt, mum's brother's wife. I think of mum and dad and her and Uncle Malc and my nan and grandad sat around the tv in my nan's house discussing politics and life and they are all gone now, but they stay with us in our memories. Miram it has been so hard keeping it a secret especially from. my eldest half sister who is an interogation expert!

      Delete
  55. I’ve been talking on the phone with LANJAN this evening.
    She rang to get some help, again, with trying to get back to posting. She is now able to read the blog but isn’t able to post. At the end we both decided that the best way to get help was by contacting Apple.
    She is doing well after her cataract operation and her daughter in law has come over from Canada to be with her during this time.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I’ve spoken with Sarnia today.
    She sounded quite bright and emphasised that she was being very well looked after.
    Her son has come from Wales to be near at this time.
    She said she is very relieved to be where she is and being cared for.
    I’m sure she will give more of her news herself when she is ready to do so.

    Update on me - Yesterday I received a letter ( marked Rapid access ) with an appointment for next Tuesday for cardiology and which stated urgent.
    Followed today by a phone call asking me to come instead on Monday, which I shall do. I was told it was a specialist chest pain clinic.

    I would like to pass on the following, just as a matter of interest.
    I think it’s important, because what I didn’t understand might apply to others.

    I was asked by every doctor including my GP if I had chest pain.
    My honest answer was No !
    But I did try to explain that I had strange tension in the muscles up my back and up into my neck.
    When I had the conversation with the paramedic from the choir, she was most emphatic in telling me that the area of ‘ the chest ‘ was the front ( and she demonstrated on me, my front chest area, then turned me round and explained further ) and the chest included the back area too.
    I HAD NOT KNOWN THIS
    So I told my GP this when we spoke earlier in the week, and I suppose she did an urgent referral there and then.
    I’ve spoken to several people since talking to the paramedic and not one of them knew that fact either.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Katy! daughter of our dear Ev lovely to hear from you. I have often thought “I wonder when Katy will appear on The Chase and if she will remember to let us know of her appearance” and you have 🤗
    So glad to know you have made a new interesting and enjoyable life, how pleased Ev would be!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is very nice when people say mum would be pleased or proud as my former headteacher did when I told her The Chase will be on. She gave me the day off so had to let her know!

      Delete
  58. Mrs. P, neither did I, and we were both once nurses!
    Thank you for that. Hope your appointment gives you the help and answers you need, and that will make you more comfortable and confident about your pacemaker.
    thank you for the news of both Sarnia and Lanjan too.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Daughter of Ev
    Hello, thank you for popping in. I will be riveted to the telly for your appearance. How are the dogs?
    I do miss your mum's anecdotes about them, and often think of her, especially when I see dogs in prams:) I think Gypsy died, but you still have Bud n Dud??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Gypsy died before mum. Buddy is fine 6 has canine kidney disease, but is very stable. We are going to canine circuit on Thursday nights which is puzzles and exercises and seems to be making him very cheeky (found him asleep in my bed on my side the other day), but he is making progress and has learned nose targeting. Dudley is still a bit special mum had infinite patience with him and he was so sad when we lost her. He sulks if I go out too much in a day and was happiest when I was unwell and he could lie next to me in bed all day, but is doing well overall and is a happy dog who likes to play with his soft toys. I think his rehabilitation from a quite difficult dog is a testimony to mum.

      Delete
    2. Daughter of Ev. Your love of dogs shines through, along with your continuing care of Buddy + Dudley, who must still give you that continuing link to Mum. However it is hard to sometimes take such into your new life.
      I know that after my Dad sadly passed, I looked after his cat, but she was difficult. As such she was shared between myself + a sister. It was found this cat was deaf and had dementia!
      I had never heard of dementia in pets before, but it happens.

      Delete
  60. Daughter of Ev, what a coincidence! I was thinking of you yesterday when we were walking a friend's dog for her. She's a small dog with a lot of long hair on her ears, legs and stomach so always gets very wet and muddy. When I was drying her off it set me off wondering if you were still doing your dog grooming, now I know. It was lovely to hear that you are still enjoying it.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Mrs P.
    My big Sis was here for lunch, so at last I heard all about her hubbies pace-maker + problem.
    He was on loads of meds. plus the pace-maker to control what was originally diagnosed for atrial flutters. When he went into hospital for what was supposedly a simple procedure, it was found that this had deteriorated to constant atrial fibrillation. This was why the more drastic procedure was done.
    As of today, Sis was dreading going home, as today was the first day he was allowed to do heavy work, and he decided he was going to cut branches off a tree!
    As said his pace-maker now fully controls his heart beat and there is no need for any heart meds, except for an anti-coagulant which he can never stop.
    Already they are planning an OZ trip for December, have a golfing holiday in Spain booked for May, plus a cottage booked somewhere in July.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For those with medical knowledge, BIL had a permanent AV node ablation. It was the best solution.

      Delete
    2. Thank you Miriam, that is so helpful to know.
      Poor man, must have been very worrying.
      I hope he has many years of trouble free health ahead.

      Delete
    3. It as you've rightly said, this has given him a much better normality of life.
      As Big Sis said, he's got the sparkles back in his eyes and the yearning to get on with things again.

      Delete
    4. Co-incidentally, our son Corrin, in France, will be having that same AV node ablation in hospital in Toulouse next week. If that doesn’t work he may need to have a pace-maker fitted but his surgeon is fairly sure the ablation will work.

      Delete
  62. Update on the burrowing moles under a path and driveway - They seem to have disappeared. Phew!
    It comes down to two things, I think.
    The car driving on + off the drive, along with heaviish rain on Friday/Saturday, which would have soaked in quickly into the stone/sandy place they'd tunneled into.

    I'm hoping the little critters have gone back the way they came

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had a talk once about moles at the gardening club. Apparently in the Spring and early summer male moles extend their range looking for females, and after that will come mole pups when they leave their mother and are digging for territories of their own. It seems a bit early for that though, although there are already ticks in the fields ( horrible things!) and they don't usually appear until May. It must be something to do with climate change. The winters are not cold enough to kill off the bugs. My neighbour has started Frontlining her young dog already so I suppose I had better start doing the cats.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for that information about the ticks Janice.
      I will get that stuff out of the drawer.

      Delete
  63. Mrs P just to say I did write a reply about feral and pet cats on farms but when there were far more important things on people’s minds. If you missed it , find Feb 14 at 12.03. I thought it might be something inconsequential for Sarnia to read as well. I’m glad you’ve been in contact with her.

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    Replies
    1. Yes I did read it Soz and was grateful for your reply. I thought I had thanked you but as you say we all had more important posts to consider.

      Delete
  64. Miriam if your moles come back you might like to try the following. I have just been reading an article about castor oil and it seems it is useful for a number of things including persuading moles to go away. Mix half a cup of castor oil with two gallons of water and pour it down their holes. It doesn't harm them but they apparently really don't like it.
    I won't try it my self because the fine soil in their hills is nice for flowerpots, but I would be interested to know if it works.
    One of my cats Bella is a pesky nuisance in that she will sit by molehills as they are being built and occasionally catches one if I don't get to her first, and she doesn't like to eat them any more than they do shrews, so it is a waste.

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    Replies
    1. What was so strange was the tunneling was under a path. The "hills" appeared at the side of this and were just stones + sand. I can't think that there was any worth eating..

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  65. Years ago I was in our little orchard and saw a whole line of worms coming up out of the ground and heading away as fast as they could, and then I saw a raised tunnel appearing near the surface of the earth and realised a mole was chasing after the worms so that their only way of escape was to come above ground. I was surprised both at how fast a mole could tunnel and how fast worms could move when they had to.

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    Replies
    1. You see such interesting things, Janice. Thank you for that.

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  66. Our eldest daughter and family have gone back home now. We had a lovely day at Chester Zoo on Monday. It's the first time that we've visited since before lockdown and I'd forgotten what a good day out it is. Our 13 year old granddaughter had decided which animals to visit and planned a route which was more relaxing for us as we didn't have to think about all that. Being half term it was very busy so we're planning to go again in September during term time.
    Said granddaughter was very pleased to find that she's now as tall as grandma now!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Katy, Daughter of Ev.
    Bravo! 👏👏
    How calm + composed you seemed to be, I think my legs were shaking more than yours were, and I was only watching.
    Now, what I want to know about is, the Spitfire flight..
    Brilliant 🥇🏆

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At least you can talk about it. Enjoy the accolades.

      Delete
    2. Ah, yes, Miriam, I will never get my flight in the Dragon Rapide, but I have been afforded an amazing compensation: for three whole days I was in the next bed to an extraordinary, eighty-nine year old lady who had been a pilot all her life! Not only that, but she had also flown de Havilland Dragon Rapides and had more then one exciting story to tell. That was besides being a racing driver and power boat racer!

      She was very interested in my poetry and wanted to buy the books. As she has not long to live I got Daniel to bring her copies frome home, but she was sent home a day sooner than expected, so he brought them.for me to sign and is sending them on. I hope they reach her in time.

      He was very excited to meet her as he has come across her name in books on aviation history; quite famous in aviation circles, apparently.
      He has ordered a copy of her book.

      Delete
    3. What a marvellous encounter Sarnia ⭐️ beyond thrilling for both of you!

      Delete
  68. Katy so pleased for your win on “The Chase” could see how much you enjoyed the experience! Any behind the scenes tales to tell? Did you meet Bradley before the actual recording? At least you will not be on his “Bloopers Show” 🫢 Have you had to wait for today’s screening before receiving your cash……

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  69. Katie, EV, how lovely, well done. Did you say (ages ago) that the Chaser was your mum's favourite? I think I remember that. Did you get to see your house from the air? Thank you for telling us about your dogs, I'm glad they are well and happy. please drop in from time to time, it's nice to catch up.

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  70. Well done Katie. Think you were up against the best chaser so your team did well to win. Your mum would have been so proud. 🍾

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  71. Yes, well done Katie. I had never watched The Chase before and thought you did well to stay calm and collected facing the questions.

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  72. We got the money about three weeks after filming and they rounded it up so £3,333.34 p They film three shows a day we were last and they were overrunning so brief handshake and photo with Brad and then we got on with it. They cut out the stupid bits so I hope I don't end on bloopers later lol. It was mum's favourite Chaser and when they do a welfare phonecall the next day I couldn't stop crying so they did a second, but it wasn't bad tears. A lot of twitters were rude about my weight and I have lost two stone since leaving teaching, but I need to lose aother 5 kg before I can go in s Spitfire. Never read twitter really, some people were nice as well. Anne from my team was raging about the anti Bradley/ Quair news stories as they were a distortion of what happened. Just back fro Milton Keynes as left the dogs there with a friend while I popped on the train and went up for the day for the funeral so just back. Ferries v/expensive for half term so we got the 9pm yesterday. Been for a walk and Aquafit this morning which is great exercise. Also a lot more time to cook healthily and a lot less stress it all helps!! Thanks for your comments on the dogs they both look really well at the moment and are good walking adverts! Speak soon.

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    1. Lovely to hear from. I'm not surprised you were in tears after, as your Mum would've been so proud.
      Do you have or can you get, a hard copy of the show, as a keepsake?

      Delete
  73. I've been feeling very different over the last week, but I know why.
    My prescription for my BP is done on a 3-monthly repeat and for the last few months, I knew I was having side-effects from one med.
    BP was fine as I self-check.
    Two weeks ago, I started the next lot of pills and suddenly, no problems.
    This comes down to constantly getting different makes, although medically equivalent as to the drug, the manufacturers use different ingredients to make up the majority ie bulk, of the tablet.
    I've always known this, but this was the first time I personally have experienced such a difference between different brands, which of course comes down to costs.

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    1. How very interesting Miriam and of course you would know this. Something for all of us to bear in mind.

      Delete
    2. It's very complicated as to why these differences actually happen.

      Delete
    3. A long time a go the NHS started switching all emolients for skin issues to generic brands and although it is supposed to be the same the generic (Zerobase) for me made me smell bad and irritated me. Fortunately it is not too expensive to buy your own so went bad to the brand name (Doublebase).

      Delete
    4. I love Aveeno creams/lotions for my eczema, but I know you have a different skin problem.
      Again, I have to buy it but luckily it's often on offer, which helps.

      Delete
  74. Katie/EV, what a nice long reply! Bradley Walsh always seems cheeful and on the side of the contestants. I never use social media apart from Whatsapp for the free phone calls, so I am happily unaware of whipped-up frenzies and directed nastiness, although of course it will happen when people can anominously spurt out all those horrible thoughts without any consequences. I'm sorry people felt it was neccesary to comment about you and your team, I was struck by how composed and amused you seemed to be. It sounds as though you made the right choice in your change of career; in my view, dogs win over groups of teenagers every single time!! I hope you soon reach your target for your Spitfire flight, please post some photos on here when you do it, or direct us to where we can have a look. You seem to be a very intrepid person, so I am wondering if we will see you on The 1% Club soon?? :) :)

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    1. and I bet those who were so nasty, could not have achieved what Katy did so brilliantly.

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    2. 100% agree with both comments!
      Katy you go girl 👏🏻 and so pleased to hear you are going to be popping in and out of the blog 🥰

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  75. Anne and I are planning to apply for Pointless just for the laughs and because we would love to go for a coffee but she is in Manchester and I am on the Island... so watch this space. I have a copy of the show on my disc and they send out a photo when the show broadcasts of the team with Bradley so I think I will get a hard copy of that one. The local press on the island picked up the story and published a rather cringy article. The reporter's mum told him and he knew someone who knew me and gave him my phone number (all very island), but I have three new customers booked in now and have had lots of hits on my business page and business social media so it is true there is no such thing as bad publicity!!

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  76. I have just watched your performance in The Chase and am amazed how calm and natural you were. Very well done!! I haven’t watched the show for some time and had forgotten how annoyed I would get if someone took the minus offer but that young man proved how sometimes it is the right action.
    Hope you and Ann are successful with Pointless.

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  77. I have tried to look for the programme on
    Iplayer, but without luck.
    However I did come across the island news article.
    Good luck with your next attempt Katy and with the ongoing dog grooming.

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    Replies
    1. It is on ITVX player not the BBC iPlayer Mrs P. It is a free sevice but you get adverts ( the time to make a quick cup of tea!)

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    2. Thanks Janice.
      Will try again.

      After my appointment last Monday, I had a nice day in Taunton, but upon driving home I developed another crashing headache and was sick again.
      The headache did not lift throughout the week and after speaking to one of the GPs at my practice who urged me to call an ambulance I did so on Thursday morning.
      So I have spent another few days in Musgrove Park Hospital.
      It was decided to bring the angiogram forward as an in patient.
      The result I was told is that I have a sound and healthy heart which will give me another good fifteen years. ( not sure I want that many tbh ).
      My heart is sound and very healthy, arteries are clear and the veins good, however the capillaries are sluggish but nothing can be done about that. When I said that I would ‘try ‘ nevertheless to continue reducing the sugar and butter, the reply was ‘poof’ with an accompanying look that said ‘don’t bother ‘!
      So no more interaction with the cardio unit. I’m discharged.
      The headache continues, along with vague nausea, but no vomiting.

      The information about the capillaries has given me food for thought regarding the many incidents around lack of bleeding since childhood.

      I am concerned about the headache and have instructions from daughter no 1 to get an osteo appointment. I have not seen anyone since before Covid and have heard good evidence about an Italian cranial practitioner who joined the local practice - a short walk from my home - about the time that I moved here. I will get an appointment next week.

      One very disappointing aspect of my recent event : I have always been 5. 1 1/2 in height. I am now 4. 11.
      Not long before I shall be a complete no necked monster.
      Just as well I don’t look in a mirror from one week to then next !

      Since losing the new found friend towards the end of /24, I now have two long life friends with months to live, and another new friend also given a life expectancy of months. As well as Sarnia of course.
      Part of getting to one’s eighties I suppose and of course the natural order of life, however sad and distressing it is.
      But then there is too, new growth, evidenced by Katy - daughter of Ev happily joining us from time to time to share her news.

      Dear Ev, you are missed, and you and I never did get to the chocolate cafe in Ryde which is a regret. Is it still in business Katy ? And how are things at Quore Abbey ? The last time I was there, there were masses of piglets.

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    3. Sorry to hear about your health problems MrsP, I hope that you get to the bottom of what's causing your headaches and feel better soon.
      I am the youngest of 13 cousins and there are only 3 of us still living. Every time our work group meets up someone else has had a new hip or knee or developed a serious illness. As you say, the natural order of life.

      Delete
    4. We all experience this don’t we CC
      Although loners less so perhaps.

      Delete
    5. Mrs P. This might sound silly, but have you had your eyes checked recently?

      Delete
    6. Well Mrs P I am very glad we, courtesy of your heart, will have a good 15 years or more of your company. I am still really hoping they might be able to do something for Sarnia.
      I have shrunk from 5 ft 6 to 5 ft 4. I would be very interested if you follow up on the osteo appointment to hear what the results are. They still haven't got completely to the bottom of my occasional dizzy spells and I have a second ENT appointment on April 1st ( what a joke of a day to have it on). My, now retired family doctor, thought I "probably" have arthritis of the neck, and it seems to me the dizzy spells are preceded by pain in my neck and in the mastoid bones, but although I have mentioned it to every doctor and nurse I have seen they say there is no connection.

      Delete
    7. And thank you KPNuts for keeping us going.🏅💐

      Delete
  78. Katy, Daughter of Ev.
    Pointless, just go for it!
    Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
    It's one of those shows like The Chase, which on some days I do really well, but on others I know nothing.
    Fill in that application form.


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    1. Yesterday was a lovely sunny day ( today back to rain and a storm) and my son drove us to Watergate Bay with a picnic because there had been recent sightings of the humpbacked whales. For the last couple of years they have been appearing off the coast this time of year ( climate change has apparently been making our coastal waters warmer). The car parks of the beaches on the way down were jam packed and the National Trust was asking no more people to come to their car park by Bedruthan Steps. We ended up along the cliff path at Watergate having a picnic with hordes of other people with binoculars and telescopes at the ready. It was all very jolly but not a whale to be seen! A boat was out in the bay with sonar, and they thought the herring shoals had gone now ( perhaps all eaten!) and that the whales would be moving on now to their traditional Caribbean feeding and breeding? grounds. I did wonder though if both herrings and whales might have been put off by the sonar. Max had a nice play on the beach, with me having to find his little yellow car that he buried in the sand, in full of view of me but expecting me to look everywhere before eventually acting very surprised to find it. They are priceless at that age.

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