both

Happy Spring Equinox. .

..

Emptybox

that is interesting the article about the equiliux, and Hicky's list too.

But I am still confused.

I thought it was equinox on the 21st every year, not the 20th, but everywhere says it is today. Oh well it is great to have nice long days to look forward to again.

Shame it is a long time till the Scottish election. Let's hope Nicola doesn't reak havoc in the meantime.

I agree I wish they would stop changing the times around. It is so confusing. I heard the states changed a week before us. And if some footman is going to have to change 500clocks, he is going to be kept busy.

That is good your tomatoes are coming out already.

Yes interesting how the seasons vary in our different areas. The daffs have been in full flower for a few weeks in our back garden now.

Did you do your gardening jobs today?

HIcky

sounds like you have a fool proof plan for you pea planting.

Yes seems odd how the infection keeps coming back, unless it never quite went in the first place, then starts breeding again when you stop the meds, so maybe you just need to keep on the meds a bit longer to get rid of the last of the germs?

That is not good if the brekkie out was cold, I hate cold food! I bet they didn't serve it on hot plates, I think you need hot plates especially in colder months.

I bet your sunflowers will look nice when they come out.

I see you are making good use of your spices.

Hope the weather is ok tomorrow for you to do your planting. They predict cooler weather, but drier, which is good.

Good for you finishing the wine.

Had a nice night away. Tewkesbury is very nice with old Tudor type buildings and  a nice abbey to look round. We also visited Monmouth which again is a nice little town with a lot of blue plaques with the history of the different buildings on it. Lucky for us, the weather was nice and a lot better than it was back in Wales over the weekend. I had to walk slower with my achy leg, but was careful. Went for a swim in the hotel pool and that did me good. The brekkie in the hotel was not good though, they ran out of butter and me and OH don't like marg on our toast! The hot food looked over done and dry, but other than that the hotel was fine and I was glad we had chosen not to eat there the night before. We ate at the Weatherspoon in Tewkesbury, it was really good value and nice hot food.

Daughter managed to get her assignment in late Saturday night and without her to supervise them, the lads just got themselves a pizza and microcwave meal. The plates and packaging were still all over the kitchen unit to welcome us home when we got back! The lads were too busy gaming to do much else, other than see to the pets!

Did you watch Vera Emptybox?

I did and enoyed it. Am watching the last of Broadchurch tonight.

My mum was well looked after and taken out by the carers over the weekend.

Have a good evening both xxx

Hi Mollie. Glad you enjoyed your break in Tewkesbury and Monmouth.
Sounds a nice area.
Pity the hotel food wasn't up to much.
Yes, I would think the swim would be great exercise for you without putting pressure on your leg.

Glad your daughter got her assigment finished OK, and you managed to find your boys under the remnants of their pizza boxes.

No I didn't get any work done today. As I said in the previous post, I thought it was a bit too windy.
Yes I watched Vera. I always enjoy that show.
The only thing is, all the witnesses/suspects always seem to lie to the police or hold back information. Good for the plot so the viewers don't know who the guilty party is until the last minute, but not realistic I wouldn't think? If you had the police questioning you about a murder you'd be telling them everything you knew.

Watched Police Interceptors then 24 Hours in A&E.

Evening Emptybox.

Cool today but very sunny so although we had some wind i decided to sow seeds.

I used my pea layout profile to sow them at 2" spacing, that worked fine.

Just thought on, the Lettuce seeds are on tapes, i thought they would be spaced out to save thinning them, no although they need final spacing of 15cm (6") they are on the tape mainly in pairs at 1cm spacing, doesn't that defeat the whole idea, not sure, i was thinking of sowing every couple of weeks.

The gardener was working next door, i can't get him yet as he is off on another cruise tomorrow, he loves his cruises.

He did some pruning on a couple of trees by the fence, he asked me what to chop back, we got the tree opened up to the light and sun, and took off all the badly placed dead and crossing branches.

I might have to have a go at putting more compost into the tree tubs, will have to get the wheel barrow out so i can empty bags of JI3 into it to make it easy to get it into the tubs.

Just had chicken wings again, it saves making a meal from scratch, only had hash browns, bacon and beans for brekkie, with toast.

Still no Mollie, hope the break went well, and her leg is less painful.

both xxx

Emptybox

did you get any snow, I did hear some places up there did.

It was a very cold wind here and we had a bit of hail with rain and sun too, so a mix.

Yes the fibs on Vera does leave us wondering who done it.

Hicky

that is good you got to some sowing done despite the wind.

You certainly give a lot of thought as to your spacing, so I am sure the finished product will be up to your usual high standards.

Shame you can't get your gardener as he is off crusing. He must be making plenty of money doing his gardens if he can afford all this cruising.

You must of missed my post yesterday Hicky, see above, the one above yours and Emptybox's with the Spring piccie on it.

Went to Cardiff to get some Mother's day things for mum and pressies for OH as it is his birthday tomorrow. Daughter helped me, she is still feeling tired after her recent illness, so we stopped in a couple of cafes to take breaks.

Not much to interest me on tv tonight.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi guys.
Another windy bitterly cold day here.
Some sunshine, but also heavy rain clouds. It felt like it was going to start snowing at one point, but it didn't come to anything.
Snow over my Brother's way though.

That's good that you got some planting done Hicky.
Sounds alright for your gardener. Off on a cruise? Must be doing better than me?

Glad you had a productive shopping trip to Cardiff Mollie, despite the mixed bag of weather.
That's good that your daughter is feeling up to getting out and about again.
Are you doing anything for your OH's Birthday, or is that what the weekend break was for?

Watched The Secret Life of the Zoo, then Mutiny.

Evening Both.

I might have missed your earlier post with it being on top of the next page, strange.

A cool day here, 10c it ended up, damp earlier but it turned out ok.

I emailed a Fig grower on the US West Coast, he has many hundred fig trees, he grows and sells them and shows how he does it, i couldn't find advice about pruning and wanted to ask what method he used, i have some conflicting ways from reading google in the UK, all he said was, he pruned the growth by 1/3rd in the winter and pruned for shape as well, he didn't touch them when they were growing.

This is the website with the pictures and method he used to repot his Fig tree, older ones need re-potting every 3 or 4 years, love the trolley he made to carry them about, his name is Bill.

http://figs4fun.com/bills_figs.html

I have covered the pear trees tonight with fleece, the Tie Wraps i ordered came, also the stainless steel clothes pegs came, i have binned all the plastic ones as they just break.

Just had a steak, Ribeye, i coated it with my Rib Rub powder, wow, it's good.

Mollie, The gardener wouldn't get a lot through working, he took early retirement with a good pension, he doesn't seem to be short, he seems to do gardening more because he enjoys it and doesn't like being idle.

Happy Birthday to your O/H, and talking about Mothers day, we have guests for Dinner Sunday, O/H's Sister and Mother are coming at 1pm, i'm cooking the Beef Rib, I find it works out better when i use the thermal probe, inserted in the meat in the oven the lead plugs into the controller i have on the worktop, it lets me set the type of meat and how you would like it cooked, unless it's chicken or such and has to be well done, O/H does the Veg etc.

Yes, Weatherspoons do a nice brekkie, have eaten there a few times.

Emptybox, You are getting the worst of the weather lately, have you thought of moving, if you go way down south it is an awful lot warmer.

Glad it didn't snow in the end, you can do without that.

The gardener seems to have a couple of cruises a year, he is a hard worker but i don't know his circumstances, his O/H could be a secret millionaire, and there again, maybe not.

Think my strawberry plants are due the middle of next week, going to put them in hanging baskets again, last years were awful, getting Sweetheart, the ones i used to have at the other place, they were very productive.

both xxx

Emptybox

you got away with the snow then, any milder there yet?

We had a cool wind today, but it was nice and warm in the sun.

We have been to Pizza Hut for tea for OH's birthday. I had a 33% voucher, so that was handy. I like the help yourself salad cart there.

Hicky

that is interesting that you have a fig growing expert's advice and one who lives so far away.

That will be a nice treat for your mother in law and her sister for Mothers day with you cooking them beef rib.

yes I guess your gardener's OH could be a secret millionaire to keep him going with all his cruises.   Or maybe he just has a good private pension, backed up with his garden money?  We used to have a gardener included with the rent, at our last rental house, and he had a big pension from the police, and his gardening money, so he was often on cruises too.

Hope your strawberies do better this year.

We all enjoyed our tea at pizza hut. I had a goats cheese/bbq sauce pizza. Very nice.

Will watch GP show now.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening guys.
Terrible news from London.

Rain and hail here all day, and freezing cold. Useless.
Yes I'd probably be better off weatherwise moving further south Hicky. You never know, if this Independence comes to reality.......

That's interesting fig growing advice from the fellow in the US. Very different climate out there though.
I'm sure your Mothers Day visitors will appreciate your beef ribs.
Ah I see your gardener is a retired bloke. Hopefully, when I retire, I'll just do my own garden.

Sounds like you had nice weather Mollie.
Glad you enjoyed the Pizzahut meal for your OH's Birthday.
Hope you didn't take them too literally and helped yourself to their salad cart? They'll probably need the cart back for tomorrow.

Watched GPs then Incredible Medicine, now the extended news about the London terror attack.

Evening Both.

Not too bad today, 12c with sunny spells, some wind as well.

Don't think we had a frost last night but glad i covered the pear trees, have covered them again tonight.

Went out for lunch when O/H got back from shopping for her mother, had a beef roast dinner, wow, got enough to feed the road, a plate of meat and roast potatoes with a separate dish of veg and a jug of gravy, this was the place we couldn't get in that Sunday, it's no problem in the week but of course they don't have a serve yourself carvery in the week.

I've got tons of fruit flowers coming on trees that have never had fruit yet so that is interesting, mainly Plum/Gage trees, i have 8 in total, 6 are looking good, 2 not sure yet.

Mollie, Yes, Bill from the USA was one of the first people i saw with hundreds of Fig trees of all sizes and his method of watering with the inside tank inspired me to copy exactly his method, with i could do it for the other 29 trees but it would be a massive job, will keep it in mind though as i have 1 already made with swapping the tub for a bigger one in the winter.

Yes, if the strawberries are no good this year i might give them up.

I think the gardener must have some means of income, i think he took early retirement from a car factory, probably one i worked in as i worked in most of them at 1 time or another.

Your tea at Pizza hut sunds good, never heard of a goats cheese one with BBQ sauce, mind you i don't eat a lot of Pizza.

Emptybox, Yes, dreadful what happened in London, how people are taken in defies logic, just wish someone would tell them the truth to stop them believing they will have a good time when your dead.

You certainly are having a bad time with the weather aren't you, and i think i have it bad, which i don't really, i suppose having water on 3 sides on the Wirral helps.

He does have a different Climate in the USA but he still has to take them in for the winter so it's not that far off.

Yes, the gardener just works as he doesn't like being idle and he enjoys gardening, he can't be that old old either.

Will have to look what's on tv tonight, must make the shopping list out as well.

Just been watching Ground Force, they were using a Lawn stripper, wow, you just roll it up, brill, Love braless Charlie, she's one tough lady.

Enrolled today with hmrc for self assessment tax online, not sure if i need it as i don't have any other income other than my pensions, will have to find out.

both xxx

Emptybox

yes terrible sad about London.

How can people hate so much, that they want to kill innocent strangers?  Some religion that is! As HIcky says, shame so many are taken in with this.  

Let's hope the weather improves soon for you.

It was still a chilly wind today, but dry, so I got the washing dry.

HIcky

yes safest to cover your pear trees I reckon, as it can stil get very cold this time of year.

That's good you managed to get back to the busy resteraunt in the week. No wonder it is busy weekends if it is that good in the week.

With Pizza hut, you choose how you want your pizza, 1st choose the base, eg thick, thin, stuffed crust..., then the sauce, BBQ or tomato,... then a real big choice of topping...eg,  Daughter has spicy chicken and sweetcorn and son has pepperoni.

Wonder why you have flowers coming on trees they have not before? Shuold be interesting.

Gosh that would be a big job doing the US man's method for another 29 trees. But if the weather is good, you might have plenty of time to do it.

Yes I remember Charlie on Groundforce, she is very good.

Am watching Prime Suspect 1973 tonight, the young girl is very good playing the younger Tennison. And I like the old 70's music they play. Anyone else watching it?

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Torrential rain overnight. Stopped early morning, so the rest of the day was cloudy but dry. But everything was soaking wet, and the road to the village was closed with floods, so I decided not to go out.
I'm gambling that it's a good day tomorrow, because I promised a couple of people that I'd come this week.

Glad you enjoyed your roast dinner Hicky, and could get into that place this time.
That's good that you've got a lot of fruit flowers coming. Bodes well for a good crop.
Is that an old episode of Ground Force? Don't think it's on now?

Glad you got a drying wind Mollie.
Watched a repeat of the last episode of that Prime Suspect 1973. I liked the music, but thought the acting was a bit wooden.

Watched The Last Kingdom at 9pm on BBC2. Vikings and Saxons - more my thing.

Evening Both.

A lovely day here, 15c with sun and light winds.

My Strawberry plants came, Royal Mail, they are fine, i have put them into my hanging baskets.

Still having to cover the pear trees at night with Fleece, i have a massive roll of it, but i had a couple of pieces from last year which i had over the raised beds, they are 2,5m x 1m i think.

My shopping came and included was a request for Pork Ribs, had them tonight, have been trying to get a dry rub for many years as when working in Belgium they wouldn't tell me the recipe for the spice they used, this recipe i found and made is fantastic, i made a cupful the other day, wow, i coated them both sides, think that was a waste as you don't need to do the bone side really.

My neighbour was painting his side of the new fence, when he had finished i took him to see my Orchard, he was impressed.

O/H brought the Rib joint in, wow, 2.1kg, i'll cook it Sunday Morning.

Mollie, I look at the forecast for my local area and if it says frost likely then i will cover the pears, i can see my having to do this for quite a while but i don't really want to leave the covers on all day.

Yes, i'm excited about all these buds i'v never had before, it's strange what causes trees to fruit, sometimes certain trees need branches of a certain age, others go by the root restriction, many won't fruit if they think they can just keep growing as they don't have a reason to try and reseed.

The Pizza Hut choice sounds good, i like having choices like that.

The Ground Force program was on 'Home' freeview channel 25, i haven't seen these before so i don't know if they are old.

Yes, it would be a big job to change over to the tubs with water tanks in, the cost wouldn't be too bad, and i suppose i have the time, i would have to do one tub at a time, the one you take a tree out of becomes the next one to be made into a tank one, i would only have to buy the down-spout to make the base inside the tub, it gets cut into 3½" pieces to take the weight of the tree and compost, on top of the pipe sections is a mat made of plastic, i used the plastic sheets that you fit inside gutters to keep the leaves out.

Emptybox,  That weather there is making life hard for you, hope you can get out and keep the customers happy.

thats bad news when the roads are flooded, wow, you defo need a Land Rover, thats why i love them, anyone living or working in bad areas have either a Land Rover or a Range Rover, the best vehicles ever made.

So glad F1 on this weekend as well, very happy about that.

Must remember to put clocks Forward Saturday night as well.

Yes, i'm amazed at how many more trees are coming into flower, of course it doesn't mean they will set fruit, although all my trees are self fertile but pollination from other can help.

Just watching Coast, whats next? Gardeners World, Tony Robinson Coast to Coast, Salvage Hunters, The Royal House of Windsor, will have to choose. 

both

Emptybox

hope you did get that better weather today, so you could get on with those jobs.

Yes I a not so sure on the acting in Prime suspect. I too like the music but think we could do with a bit more of it.

Hicky

so interesting for you watching to see what buds, what flowers and then what bares fruit, as it varies so much.

I read in a magazine not long ago that Charlie was making a return to her tv gardening shows after a long gap. So it might of been a new series you saw.

Yes sounds like a big job to change the tubs, but if you enjoy it and have the time, you could give it a go.

How is the water infection now? I hope it is improving with the meds.

I am not surprised your neighbour is impressed with your orchard. You put so much work into it, it must be impressive.

You are making good use of your spices I can see.

Yes best to be aware of frosts still. Spring can be so changable. I remember my nan always uses to say clothes wise.... "never cast a clout till May is out". Have you heard that one before?

A lovely day here today. Good for drying my sheets anyway.

Watching Gogglbeox tonight, always enjoy that show.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
A lovely day here as well, quite warm in the sunshine.
Got 3 jobs done, so the week wasn't a total write off.

Glad your strawberries came Hicky, and you were able to put them in the hanging baskets.
Yes, we could get a few more frosty nights yet. Presumably these are very small trees you are covering?
Glad you are pleased with your spicy pork rub.
I sometimes think I should get a 4x4, but then I remember that I'd have to pay for it.

Hi Mollie. Another lovely drying day for you.
I keep getting reminded that the clocks go forward this weekend, and then promptly forgetting again.
I'm familiar with that saying. Always thought it was Scottish TBH, although we say
"Ne'er cast a cloot till May is oot"
Never been sure if it means the month of May, or May tree blossom?

Tried watching a bit of comic relief, but turned over to watch Lethal Weapon.

Evening Both.

My Lad was telling me today that he was called out at 2,30 in the morning because a 15yr old girl had rang the emergency gas line and he was on standby, when he gets to the house he finds it full of children and the most were drunk with no Adults, the problem was the drunk girl couldn't turn on the gas Hob, then the parents came in and they were plastered as well, tbh it's a wonder he didn't turn the gas off, you get some crazy people.

An even better day than yesterday, 15c here, sun all day, no wind.

Didn't do a lot, had to record the F1 show as my Lad came with his 2 lads.

the garden is looking good, i left the fleece over the pear trees as it's a bit much to keep putting it on, and if it's windy it isn't easy at all.

Did some tidying up, been throwing the plastic clothes pegs out, found more, the stainless ones are good.

I've ordered more pairs of socks from the web, i get the elastic free ones, cotton and dark coloured, prefer black, i can get 12 pair in a pack, had a pack 2 years ago and they are good, can't stand it tight around my thigh as my ankles swell, someone once told me they stop that by putting a 1cm cut in the top edge of the sock, it works as well.

Just had a strange meal, fried scallops with egg noodles and sweet chill sauce stir fry sachet, added a little chilli sauce as well, will stop getting these Scallops are they are overpriced for what they are, i can get Lobsters cheaper.

Mollie, Have only seen Charlie with the usual other 2 men revamping gardens.

It's strange, my water looks perfect while on the antibiotics, as soon as they stop the next day it reverts back to what it was, will try and contact the doctor next week.

No, never heard that saying before, but i do know that May is the defining factor as far as frost goes, they will be sending me the tomato plants mid May.

Emptybox, Glad you got some decent weather, and some jobs done, thats great.

I'm leaving the strawberry hanging baskets in the summerhouse for now as i can look after them easier, i don't have the automatic watering system online yet, usually start it up in May.

If you get a good Landrover you can use it for work and set it against your tax, it will carry about the same as the van and won't get stuck, a diesel 4x4 Landrover would cover all your needs and also let you get to town when the weather is bad, plus you will love it. 

both xxx

Emptybox

that is good the weather allowed you to get a bit of work out of the way.

as Hicky suggests, would a 4x4 suit you for work more than a van if you could get all your stuff in it? I am not sure, but would the road tax be more expensive than on your van?

Interesting what you say about "Ne'er cast a cloot till May is oot". I looked it up and it does seem to mean not to shed warm clothing, but it could either mean when the Hawthorn blossom is out, or when the month of May passes. And it has been used in Scotland and England.

I like to hear these old sayings and wonder where they came from.

My nan always used to say "mind how you cross the horse road"..which of course was odd to us as kids, because we rarely saw horses in the road.

Hicky

gosh that is not a good thing for your lad to be called out at 2.30am for a call like that!

Glad the weather was good enough for you to get and do a bit of tidying in the garden and nice you had visitors too.

Do they do women's socks where you get yours from?

I hate the elastic in socks too, I always have to fold my socks over to make them more comfy.

That does sound an unusual meal you had there.

As it was my birthday today, we went out for a meal to the local Weatherpoon pub for tea. I had a 3 bean chilli with rice for a change. It was very nice.

Today the weather was so lovely, we went a walk on the seafront where mum lives, and went round the fair, had a hot donut from there each. Lots of peoeple on the beach, some children even in the sea, which is very unusual for March. So nice to see the sun all day.

Watching the Voice now. Watched Ant and Dec before that.

I had some strawberry choccies, these...

http://www.lindt.co.uk/shop/li...-cream-truffles-200g

.... a book of the history of Butlins, which was lovely as OH and I met there many years ago, and 2 Jedward CD's, for my birthday.  Daughter siad the Jedward CD's were buy one get one free, so that is why I got 2. Oh and I nice long cardy off OH.  So I am very lucky.

Goodnight both

xxx

This has to be good news for the UK fishing industry doesn't it?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...pping-1964-deal.html

Looks like, the EU has been destroying our fishing industry for years now. 

Shame the notice period has to be a whole 2 years though.

Hicky

I just read on twitter, there was a big gas explosion in a building in New Ferry that could be heard for miles round. Did you hear anything?

Let's hope no one was hurt.

Evening both.

Happy Birthday Mollie.
Sorry I never remember your Birthday until you say.  
I always remember Hicky's because it's the same day as my Brother's, but next year I'll try to remember yours is around the time of the clocks going forward. Not making any promises though.

Glad you got some nice pressies, especially one that reminds you of when you met your OH.
Glad it was a lovely day, and you got your walk on the beach.
It was a lovely sunny warm day here as well.
Haven't heard that "horse road" expression before.

That ruling might be good for UK fisherman. Although if we ban EU fisherman from our waters, then they will ban out fishermen from their waters (if they have any).

Hi Hicky. That was a bit of a wasted call out for your lad. I wouldn't have known there was a gas emergency line?
I heard about the big gas explosion in the Wirral today. Was your lad called out again?
That was nice that your lad and family came over.
Scallops and noodles sounds nice, although as you say, scallops really only taste of whatever sauce you use, so are overrated.

My Dad had to buy those unelasticated socks as well. Something to do with his diabetes.
Have you finished the course of antibios again? You'll maybe need to be on a long term low dose course.

I have thought of a landrover previously. Wouldn't be as useful for carrying my mowers and tools I wouldn't think. And would be higher up for getting the mower off and on.

Went into town and bought a WD My Cloud 4 TB NAS drive for keeping all my files on. At the moment I have a 2 TB and a 1 TB external drives, and they are just about full. And I don't have any back up for my videos. So this 4 TB one should give me some elbow room.

The Voice was OK, but I was disappointed that Truly didn't get through.
The ones that did are all good singers, but nothing to get excited about IMO.

Evening Both.

Another Lovely day, 14c and sun all day, slight wind increasing a bit later.

The Sunday roast went well, sat down to eat at 1.30pm, i cooked the 2kg piece of Rib Beef to perfection, so the day went fine, they enjoyed going round the mini orchard with so much to see.

Mollie, I get the socks 12 pair at a time, in a set, they came today, they have so many at Amazon here is one set for ladies, but there are so many.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Women...ocks+without+elastic

I've got a new pair on and have been all my old ones.

Happy Birthday, i'm hopeless remembering them.

I think the infection is back again, looking at the urine anyway.

Yes, that would seem to be good for the fishing industry, it has slowly been destroyed over the years.

Yes, that explosion in Rock Ferry, my lad must have been called, along with others as he sent O/H some pictures of the destruction, it was a massive explosion, i didn't hear anything, but it would depend what time it happened.

Emptybox, Yes, the Gas Emergency phone number is 0800 111 999

Yes, the antibiotics finished last Thursday, will have to try and see the doc again, the colour of my water, cloudiness has gone back the way it was before the tablets.

I wouldn't think you would have any trouble getting your mowers etc into the back, all the farms have them and i can't see there being a problem, the ones that have a rear section under the rear door, the section drops down for access.

A 4TB drive is massive, that sure will store a lot of data.

I didn't watch the Voice, recorded F1 but have only watched a bit of it after i heard the because of a messed up pit stop Vettel won.

Hi Hicky.
Another lovely sunny day here.
Went to the supermarket as usual.

Might go to a funeral tomorrow morning. An old lady from the village that I knew.
Then might go and get a couple of new front tyres for the van, as they are on the limit. Then might even get a bit of work in?

Glad your roast Sunday lunch with the family went well Hicky.
I would go and see the doc again about your urine.
I thought your lad might have been called out to that incident.
I heard about the Vettel win. Not a good start for Hamilton.

I might think about a 4x4 in the future, but I've only just bought this van, so not going to think of anything else at the moment.

I'm pleased with the 4 TB drive. It seems to be much faster to add files to it than the previous drive. But I'm still adding all the previous data at the moment. Will take a few days.

Watched Vera again tonight. I like the way she does everything with paperwork spread on her desk. No computer in sight. (although her team use computers).

both xxx

thank you for the birthday greetings.

Emptybox

glad you too have been getting the good weather. Did you go to the funeral, and did you get your tyres?  I guess that can't of been cheap? That;s good you are pleased with the new drive.

Oh yes, you are right about Vera, she does use a lot of paperwork, hadn't thought about it before. Another enjoyable show last night it was.

Hicky

Good to hear your visitors enjoyed their meal with you and their tour round the orchard.

Thanks for the socks link, I will order some of those, they are good value and looks like they will be more comfy than my other ordinary socks.

How annoying the infection is back again, it does sound a long term low dose antibiotics will be the best for you. HOpe you can sort it out ok with the doc.

I enjoyed the Voice, hadn't realised until I just saw it on the Welsh news that 2 out of the 4 finalists are from South Wales.

Lovely day again today.Took mum a walk round seafront yesterday and it was packed! The fair and all the ice cream stands were open.

We got a swing chair, got one from B and M in the end,...tried the Costco one and although it was well made it was a bit too high for me to swing it.

The one we got was a nice one though, nice thick padding on it and space enough for 3 people.

Got lots of washing out to dry, then sat for a rest on the swingchair, and a read of my Butlins book.

Going to watch Broadchurch tonight, after I have watched double Corrie.

Wonder if they have started interviews for summer BB yet?

Have a good evening both xxx

Evening Emptybox.

Another lovely day here, 13c sunny with some wind.

Been tidying the summerhouse a bit.

Have ordered 2 small windows for the summerhouse, on the south side it needs some windows further down the side to catch the light and morning sun, the front .9m has got 22 windows including double doors but the summerhouse is facing East.

Had to order 2 Acrylic panes to go in separately.

Made a nice Omelette for brekkie, fried cut up bacon, black pud, Choriso, and mushrooms with 2 eggs scrambulated over them and grillified under the Grill.

I must have heard the bang from that Gas explosion as all my neighbours heard it, one even went outside to see if they could see anything, i would have been watching TV and am used to bangs so never really noticed.

Evening both.
Another nice sunny day here, but chilly this evening.

Went to the funeral this morning. It was as nice as these things can be. The woman minister knew the old lady well, and there were lots of funny stories and anecdotes from her life.

Then I went for my tyres. Just chose a budget brand (Kingstar). Only £36 each, so a total of £72. Was expecting to have to pay more.
After that I got a couple of jobs done, so another two places started for the season.

Glad you're pleased with your swing chair Mollie, and you got a seafront walk. Yes, I guess seasides are getting ready for summer.

That sounds like a nice omelette Hicky, although it strikes me that you are inventing your own cooking terms there?
That's interesting that you might have heard that gas explosion.
Yes, I suppose the main purpose of a summerhouse is to enjoy the sun, so the more windows the better.

I've got crows nesting in my chimney. I can hear the chicks from inside the house, and can see the parents going in and out of the chimney pot.
Should really have a cover over the top, but I haven't got access to the roof.
Hopefully they won't do any damage, but if one of the chicks fall down to the fireplace, then it could create a mess.
I've got an electric fan heater in front of the old fireplace, so that should stop anything getting out into the room.

Watched Police Interceptors and then 24 hours in A&E.

Evening Both.

We posted together yesterday Mollie so didn't see your post, just noticed Emptybox mentioned it.

Won £10 each on the Postcode Lottery, also, my Windows for the summerhouse have been dispatched. 

Not a bad day, 14c cloud in the morning with rain in the afternoon, not much wind.

Took a water sample to the docs again, still an infection but not as bad, back on Trimethoprim again.

Didn't do much today, cleared more of the summerhouse to make way for the new windows.

Had bacon with a sliced pack of fried small toms, but it takes an age to get the skins off.

Mollie, I'm happy with the socks i got, 4 black, 4 grey and 4 another grey, but i wear anything so it doesn't matter too much.

They say this antibiotic is the correct one for this infection, i'm pleased it's not as bad as it has been, does that mean we are winning? they said come back to the docs with a sample after these finish.

Nice to have a walk around the seafront, and glad you have managed to get a swing, you will love that in the summer.

I thought they did interviews for BB ages ago, isn't it doubles/pairs this time?

Emptybox, Glad the Funeral went ok, those tyres are a good price anyway.

Thats a good start to the season, 2 jobs done, and it's not April yet.

The only way to stop birds in the chimney is a cowl, how can they nest in a chimney anyway?

I'm just looking to see whats on the tv by the hour, anything to fill the time in.

Just remembered, got the Dentist Thursday, should be a check up but have a feeling i need some work done.

both xxx

Emptybox

At least the elderly lady whose funeral you went to had a good send off.

That is good your tyres were not too expensive, and lucky the weather was acceptable enough for you to get jobs done.

Gosh crows now!  What with crows, bats, mice you could open a wildlife park at your place! Hope they don't do any damage.

Hicky

that is nice to win a bit of pocked money on the postcode lottery. New windows in your summerhouse, should make it even warmer there now. Let's hope for plenty of sun to come for your summerhouse, and for my swing chair too.

That is good the doc has given more meds and the infection is not as bad as it was. Let's hope continuing with the meds eventually knocks this on the head completely.

Hope the dentist visit goes ok.

Yes I did hear it was couples for BB, but was not sure if they had interviewed yet.

Went food shopping in Asda today...., went there so I could get son some more jeans as they are quite cheap in there and he finds them comfy.

Some heavy downpours here today, and pleny more to come inWales by the look of the forecast.

Not keen on Tuesday tv, but settled for Martin Lewis.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Misty and damp start today, but some sunshine this afternoon.
Got another couple of jobs done.
But the forecast for the next few days isn't so good.

At least that's a bit of progress on the water front Hicky.
And a £10 win is not to be sniffed at.
Hopefully the new summerhouse windows will arrive swiftly.

Yes, there should really be a cowl on the top of the chimney, especially as it's not in use. One of the neighbours has one on theirs, but then both neighbours have open fires, whereas I have central heating.
The chimney amplifies the sounds of the chicks, so they sound like they are right in the room, but I would think they are on a ledge a little way down the chimney?
Seems a silly place for a nest, but I think they had one there a few years ago as well.

Hi Mollie. Unfortunately being in a farm cottage means I get all the wildlife. 
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there is no return of the bats this year. It's nearly the time when they would make an appearance.

Pity you got the rain today, but sounds like your trip to Asda was successful anyway.

Watched the Zoo prog then Mutiny.

Evening Both.

Cloudy and wet most of the day, warm though, 14c

My Windows came, that was quick as they had the time scale as up to 21 days, they were in stock though, i've given them a coat of preservative, will give another coat as well, waiting for the Acrylic windows to come.

Am very surprised with the amount of blossom coming on the fruit trees, never had this much before, got blossom on 6 plum trees that have never had flowers.

Just had a takeaway, phoned it through and went to get it as O/H said it would be hotter if we did that.

Mollie, When you only get £10 each from the lottery it is a bit disappointing, wanted £25k really.

The new windows for the summerhouse are openers so that will be handy in the summer as well.

It would be great if the infection went this time, can't understand why it doesn't.

Haven't heard anything about the new BB, just about old ones.

Emptybox, Was wondering how the birds got up and down the chimney, they don't have a vertical take-off do they?

About the Bats, can't you close the opening that they use to get into the roof space, they will make a terrible mess, mind you the Guano is pretty expensive.

Mind you, with renting the place there's not much you can do.

Hi Hicky.
Cloudy and wet here as well. No good for work.

That was quick for your windows coming. Pity the weather wasn't good for fitting them, but at least you were able to paint them.
Glad your takeaway was hot.

That's really good that you are getting the blossom on trees that haven't had it before.
My cherry tree is covered in leaves, whereas the apple trees are still bare.

I didn't get any bats last year, because I got the ladder out and wedged some stones into the gap they go into, which must have put them off.
I'm hoping the stones are still there, but I can't see from the ground, and I can't be bothered to get the big ladders out again. So that's why I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they stay away this year as well.
I think they are attracted to the smell of their previous droppings, and that smell must be getting less by now. So hopefully they'll return to wherever they lodged last year, and don't bother me.

Think I'm going to have steak pie tonight, with mashed potatoes and brocoli and gravy.
Going to watch GPs then Benidorm.

both xxx

Emptybox

Shame it was too wet to get anything done today.

Wet here too today, so no swing chair or washing on the line.

Yes that would be a bit unfortunate if the bats took a like to your place again. Let's hope the stones are still in place though, as the stones worked so well last time.

Does your cherry tree get that lovely pink blossom on it?

HOpe you enjoyed the steak pie? Did you make it yourself or was it shop bought? I know it is real difficult to make pastry though.

Hicky

I see you too had the rain, oh well guess we have to expect it this time of year after having a few nice days in a row.

Gosh your windows did come quickly. That will be nice as they open too.

Because you have so much blossom, hopefully this indicates plentifull good fruit to come.

Hopefully after the £10 win, the £25k one is next!

Went to see son's college performance tonight. He wasnt' actually on stage this time, but was doing stage managent, which he enjoyed doing.

Just catching up with tonight's tv, the GP show which I always find of interest.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie.
Hope you enjoyed your son's stage management, even if you couldn't see him?

No my 'cherry' tree doesn't get the lovely blossom, just some nondescript dark pink flowers after the leaves have come in.
Not even sure if it's a proper cherry, although it does get a few cherry-like fruits on it.

It was just a shop bought steak pie. I used to get steak and kidney, but Sainsburys seemed to have stopped doing it. The steak one was nice though.
I've never tried making pastry. Well I remember rolling it out for my Mum when I was a child. But not as an adult.

Evening Both.

16c here but mainly cloud and light rain.

Gave the windows another coat of preservative, marked the windows cut out area out, drilled some slots to get the electric saw in, cut the pieces needed for the windows support and also for the sill to fix the window fasteners on.

My Dentist appointment was cancelled and rerouted to the 20th April, they rang this morning.

Just sliced a duck breast into thin slices, coated with my magic spice rub and sprinkled brown sugar over the pieces, fried over high heat and it was yummy.

I took the fleece off the pear trees as i'm not expecting frost for a while.

Emptybox,  My cherry trees have loads of blossom ready to open, they are surrounded by short leaves, the leaves were protecting the flower buds by the looks of it.

This is the Asian Pear Blossom. 

I have lots of Apple trees, 7 of them, with 11 varieties of apple, in fact this year is looking good, the best i've had.

You could be lucky witht he Bats, if they didn't come last year then i can't see them coming again.

Mollie, That is nice, your son doing stage management, is that a step up the ladder?

I've had a £10 win before, we both do the Postcode Lottery so we get double, if we ever won the £25k we would get £50k.

Back down to earth, I always enjoy the GP show, very interesting, i could set myself up as a doctor with 'L' plates.

both xxx

Emptybox

Yes I guessed the pie  would be shop bought, not many tackle home made pies. But good you enjoyed it.

Did you get out to do gardens today? Wet again this morning here, but got a few rays of sun this afternoon.

Hicky

what a lovely photo of your blossom. Sounds like you have been busy sorting your windows out.

Wonder why they cancelled your dentist?

At least you are making good use of your spices.

The stage management was part of the end of college course assessment for son, so yes a good experience for him. He is putting in to go to Uni to carry on next year.

Yes indeed with the amount of different illnesses they cover on the GP show, you would pass the Learner GP exam.

Managed to nearly get washing dry in the brief bit of sun we had this afternoon. Made a roast chicken dinner for family. I had it minus the chicken.

Watching Masterchef now. Then watching Prime Suspect.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening Mollie and Hicky.
Wet here all day, some of it heavy rain, so no work done.

You've certainly got a lot of blossom on that pear tree Hicky.
Is that the one that was wearing a fleece?
Good that you were able to get on with the windows.

You'll maybe be not too disappointed that the dentist visit has been put back, as you were expecting some work needing to be done? As long as you're not getting any pain or anything?
Yes, you could almost set up as a doctor with all the ailments you've had.

Mollie, at least you got some of your washing dried, and enjoyed a chicken-less dinner.
That's good that your lad want to continue to study drama at Uni.

Watched 'The Last Kingdom' and 'Rich House Poor House'.
Don't know if you watched that, but it was about a rich and a poor family swapping houses and lives (and budgets) for a week.
I thought it was interesting that the poor family left a sofa outside in the garden, and a door off it's hinges, but the rich feller fixed both of them, without spending a penny. Different motivations I guess?

Evening Both.

Not too bad a day 15c with rain and sun but 15mph wind.

Did some odd jobs in the garden/summerhouse, made some dummy panes of cardboard for the windows incase the ones i have bought haven't arrived.

I would have cut the opening for the windows but the wind was too much and i don't like sawdust blowing all over me.

All the parts are cut ready, just need a nice day, it could be tomorrow.

O/H fancied KFC so we shot off to get some, i went in, quite a queue as well, i'm not a chicken lover but if it's coated or spiced i can manage some.

O/H has had this week off but is back in work the weekend so i'm got my shopping list ready.

Mollie, Yes, the blossom is lovely, have so much of it, a garden full.

I didn't ask why they cancelled my Dental appointment, it's usually because they have someone off sick, but then of course you have to try and get back in as you have lost your place.

As you say, it is good experience for your lad, it's all invaluable.

Emptybox, Another day lost through the weather, it's not very kind to you.

No, the blossom is the Asian Pear which isn't effected by frost.

The fleece i have to put on all the other apple trees.

I've seen a rich/poor swap once before, it might be a different program though.

I'll show you the new windows when they are finished.

Just flipping through the station to find something to watch.

both xxx

Emptybox

pity you got all that rain, we too didn't have good weather today, showery today. Hope it dries up before you get too behind work wise.

I recorded Rich house/Poor house as was watching Prime Suspect, which was a really good episode last night.

Hicky

don't blame you abandoning the window work as it was windy, blowey sawdust is not good!  Let's hope you get a nice day to finish it off.

I see with your OH due back at work, you have the trusted shopping list at the ready again.

Yes we will be interested to see your windows when they are finished.

Mum's carer sent me a lovely photo of mum this morning, as the care agency girls had done her hair so lovely, and she was eating her sandwich. The carers are pleased they have got her feeding herself again. 

Son's tutor bought them all an Easter egg today, as they worked so hard on their production.

Looking forward to watching double Corrie, and Gogglebox tonight.

Do either of you have the google map ap on your phone?

Very clever what they have on it today.

Have a good evening both xxx

Hi both.
Very mixed bag today with the weather.
Wet and very windy at times, but a little sun at others.

Went into town to do a grass cutting job, but found it had already been done.
This was the place that used to have the old gardener, and I just did the grass. Then when he retired they asked me to do all the gardening, then got someone else in as well without telling me.
So seemingly this someone else cut the grass without them knowing. But they say they still want me to cut the grass, so they will have a word with him.
Hope that's all clear?
Anyway the upshot is, I didn't get anything done. It was too windy to work really anyway.

Hicky, you seem to be sorting the windows out.
Hope you get a good day tomorrow so you can get the openings cut out.
I'm sure you managed to force some KFC down.
Ah, so that wasn't the tree you were protecting from frost.

Mollie, the Rich House Poor House was quite good. So probably worth watching.
That's great that your Mum can still feed herself.
Just had a look at Google Maps. I see what you mean.

Watched that new thing with Jack Whitehall on BBC1 'Decline and Fall'. Not particularly good IMO.

Evening Both.

Not too bad a day for a Saturday, rainy this morning but it cleared up, managed to get one of the windows fitted, also ordered a thermal opener for one of the windows.

Got my shopping and a couple of extra's, when it arrived O/H said you didn't order any meat, i said i've got tons of stuff in the freezer to make meals, but she still bought me a rack of pork ribs to cook and 2 ready meals, and then she usually wants to go out for a meal 1 or 2 times in the week so it gets harder to work through my freezer stock.

It should be a nice day tomorrow, hoping to finish the 2nd window then plant more peas and lettuce.

Mollie, That was nice of your mums carer to send a picture, it's good news she's feeding herself again.

That was nice of your lads tutor, very unusual that, bet he was surprised.

 I don't have google map app as i usually use google on the Puter.

Emptybox, That was strange about the grass being already cut, it needs sorting out, can't see it cutting itself.

No, the Blossom is from my Cordon Asian Pear, never seen so many flowers, the other pear trees are in flower but it's them i need to protect, if it freezes without warning i will have a problem, but it's not easy for me to keep covering them up all the time.

 both xxx

Emptybox

gosh those customers are so annoying! Still at it with those silly tricks of asking you to do the work then someone else does it!  How weird but what a waste of your time.

Hope you enjoy your spag bol tonight, does it come with a beer tonight?

Hicky

well done getting a window fitted already.

Yes lets hope the forecasters have it right and you can do some planting and another window and I get to take mum out down the seafront and spend some time on my swing chair.

Yes it must be difficult covering those trees all the time, but that is the trouble this time of year, can be quite warm, then can change and get quite cold too. Not long now till the frosts are really behind us though.

You are well stocked now meat wise with the extra your OH bought you.

We went to Costco today. Wow what a great variety of free food sample, must be because being Saturday afternoon, they were real busy. I tried some Indian bread with mango fruit chutney,... lovely, a fruity oat cake biscuit, some Easter chocs, some mash potato, pineapple chinks, and the family had meat balls, and sausage in tomato sauce.

We had lunch there after, but I was so full after all those sample, I couldn't eat it all! Hicky, have you ever tried their café? Very good value. I had jacket potato and beans for £1.50. Daughter has a chicken wrap, son a hot dog. They also do a nice cottage pie.

Managed a short while on the swing chair, but had to come in when the April shower came over.

Watching The Voice final now. Enjoyed Ant and Dec, Dermot in Tescos was hilarious.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening.
Wet morning, but sunny afternoon.
Got my tomato seedlings potted out into little pots. Should give them more of a chance.
They're still on my window sill for now.

That's good that you got your window fitted Hicky. I've got a thermal opener on my greenhouse window.
Hope your OH get's all that food at a discount?

Yes, these customers don't have much consideration. I'm just going to play it by ear, but I've no interest in fighting over a job with another gardener. I don't have the time to do the whole thing anyway. The old gardener used to spend one full day per week there.

Hi Mollie. Yes I enjoyed my spag bol, and always have a beer with it. It's the only one I allow myself in a week, unless I have visitors.
Surprised you bothered to go to the cafe in Costco? You should just have gone round the free nibbles twice.
Yes the weather forecast seems to be good for next week. Hopefully I'll get a lot done, and you'll get lots of seafront days with your Mum, and get all your washing dry. 

Watched The Voice. I think Mo is the best singer.
Then I watched Lethal Weapon.
Now watching The Chase.