Hi HIcky

how lovely that you can see how the baby has come on during the time you have been there. Sounds like her grandpa, she is going to enjoy her food.

The seafrood buffet sounds just up your street, hope you enjoy.

So glad your bites eased at last, and your cough went. Thankfully my cough is much improved today, than yesterday.

Did you see the land your lad has at Mission Beach? Does he plan to build there soon and use for holiday or move in that area to live?

Another nice sunny day today, so sat in swingchair and took dog a walk, the wind was very cold though but luckily our garden where I sit is sheltered from the wind.

OH back home from working away this afternoon so we all went to the pub for tea. I  had a veggie burger with salad and mash, very nice.

Have a good day HIcky.

hopefully El Loro's directions will help see you to the PM section so you can put the flight details in.

Hi Mollie.

Thank you El lORO for your help, have left message for Mollie.

We didn't go for the seafood buffet, not god enough for me, it had terrible reviews as well, load of rubbish.

I saw the 2 pieces of land, one has a building in construction, he sold that one, the other, don't think he will build on it, the forested area could be a problem as it's protected.

Going to buy a bag for the plane, then on the poolside.

Hi Mollie.

Will be packing the laptop soon so maybe off line till Tuesday as it will be in the big suitcase and we only have one night in Sydney before we fly home.

Bonne Voyage Hicky.

Thank you for posting the flight details, I will follow them.

@ Emptybox

we are missing you, and thinking about you, hope you can get back and post here again soon. If you can come back here, don't think you need to explain why you have been away, if you don't want to. We will just be happy to see you back again. xxxx

Mollie, I'm repeating your mention to Emptybox as it won't have worked - there should be no space in there. The way to do is is to type @ then the name fairly slowly - you should see a drop down of names appearing and once the right name appears click on it. You know that it's worked as it turns blue.

@emptybox

On behalf of Mollie and Hicky
we are missing you, and thinking about you, hope you can get back and post here again soon. If you can come back here, don't think you need to explain why you have been away, if you don't want to. We will just be happy to see you back again. xxxx

El Loro posted:

Mollie, I'm repeating your mention to Emptybox as it won't have worked - there should be no space in there. The way to do is is to type @ then the name fairly slowly - you should see a drop down of names appearing and once the right name appears click on it. You know that it's worked as it turns blue.

Thanks El Loro, I am very grateful, I can see what you mean now as it has turned blue on your post.

Welcome back HIcky.

I see your flight just landed. Flight aware is showing its 47 mins late, which isn't too bad, I think it took off late from Singapore?

Hope you had a good journey. Look forward to hearing about it when you get chance to get back on here.

Sadly it is a lonely place here now as Emptybox has not shown up and its been 2 weeks now.

I have tried to contact him via El Loro's suggestions and via a PM on twitter, and no response, none of which is like him. I will try and dig out his address as I did used to have it.

I expect you are exhausted now and need to catch up on some sleep.

Raining here this morning, which is a shame as we have had a good spell of sun for a awhile now. Never mind, its good weather predicted for bank hol, so hope they are right.

Evening Mollie.

Yes, plane took off late, no idea why, and it made no time up either.

It took 10 minutes to get from gate to runway, by the time to arrived at the gate it was 1 hr late.

Emptybox hasn't been on twitter since Mar 10th either, what on earth has happened?

The return journey was uneventful, just the planes are so boring, the 1st leg was ok in business class, the big leg was premium economy, not too bad but hard to sleep, i can't sleep on a seat, the 8 hr wait in Singapore on a seat was dreadful.

So tired when we got home, had a couple of hours sleep as i couldn't stay awake, just got up for some food, had some soup earlier.

It hasn't rained here for a week so had to put water in the tree tub saucers, have some work to do in the garden now, trees in flower, and vine in greenhouse growing well, will have to check them.

Hicky

not surprised you are exhausted, such a long journey for you. And an 8 hour wait in Singapore is not good. At least you did not have to negotiate your way round London this time though!

I bet it was difficult for you and your OH saying Goodbye to the baby and the rest of the family.

Yes it has been dry whilst you have been away. Your garden will keep you very busy now.

I wish we knew what had happened to Emtpybox.  As I said I have PM'ed him on twitter, but as you too found out, he hasn't been on twitter either. Do you know if was still a poster on Digital Spy? 

The cold I had has nearly gone, but is just hanging on a little with a cough on and off.

How are you now Hicky? Did the bites and the cough all clear up ok?

Nice day here today, so spent some time on the garden swing chair and got my washing dried nicely. Took dog a little walk first thing, as she doesn't walk far now she is older.

Have a good evening. At least it has got nice and light in the evenings since you have been away.

Evening Mollie.

18c today here, hardly any wind.

Had a busy day, made us both brekkie, sausage, bacon, eggs, mushrooms and beans with a round of toast.

Then started work in the garden, potted the new onion plants as will be able to plant them at the weekend.

Eathed up the spuds, 1 row in the raised bed and 3 big tubs.

Had to get the auto watering working again, managed to run it on manual to top up the saucers under the tubs.

started making compost tea, filled 2 x 40 L tubs with water from the water butt and put half a bucket of manure into a net bag, that sits in the water and produces the compost tea, need to give each tree about 3 liter each, or more.

Sorted out the greenhouse vine, it has grown so much all ready, lots of fruit on as well, way ahead of the one outside.

Been looking at the video's from the trail camera, it seems various things flapping has been causing the camera to start all the time, it even caught me earthing up the spuds.

Yes, very hard leaving them, but they were on Whatsapp this morning with the baby, think at first the baby was confused, she is used to us being with her and holding her.

Next time we meet it will have to be nearer to home, the journey is far too much unless you can travel 1st class or business class.

Its so strange what has happened to Emptybox, can't understand it at all, even if he was in hospital he could get in touch, hope nothing happened with the house.

My chest infection cleared with 2 sets of antibiotics, and i bought a third set in case as the 2nd doctor had given me a repeat prescription so we bought them.

My bites have all cleared up as well, i was the only one that got them.

I will have to sort out the swing chair tomorrow as the weekend is going to be hot at 22c, wow.

All my trees, well not all, the apples, pears, cherries, plums are in bloom.

Got quite a few recording to watch on the tv anyway, saw the F1 race in Oz on a tv.

 The Beef Satay from the Singapore Airport 24hr food hall, yummy.

Hi Hicky

thanks for the photo. As you had so long to hang round Singapore airport, its a good job you got some good food. What did your OH have?

I see your garden is keeping you busy, good job the forecast is good so you can catch up with things. I bet you are surprised you bought the good hot weather back with you, aren't you? Yes good idea to sort your swingchair out.

Interesting the camera has caught flapping things and you earthing spuds.

Yes not nice leaving the family after you have been with them every day for so long. Thank goodness for whatsap. Aaaww poor baby, as you say confusing for her with you not physically being there.

I can understand that long journey being too much for you, good idea to meet up somewhere closer to you next time. You did not have it easy with the chest infection, then the bites too to contend with. Good job you got the antibiotics to knock it on the head though.

It was showing 20c on OH's car today, so I got a bit of time in the swing chair again.

Yes very puzzling about Emptybox, as he has been such a regular with us for years and years now. Hope he is ok. As you know he was not well, and he had recently attended that funeral feeling unwell. Such a long way for him to go, with the upset of losing his uncle and having to stay on the campbed for 3 nights. So hope he is ok. But as you say, if he was in hospital he should be able to post. But when I was really unwell I couldn't, but you knew where I was as I had Olly to tell you, but he wouldn't have anyone to tell us. Or as you say, something could of happened with the house, as he was often having problems with one thing or another house wise. I really hope he comes back soon.

Enjoy catching up on your tv.

Not much on tv tonight, I am watching some show about saving money on food, bit boring really.

Have a good evening xxx

Evening All.

What a super day, 20c sunny intervals and light breeze.

Had 2 eggs on toast for brekkie, had a thawed out meal from the freezer, a prawn stir fry, just added a few more noodles.

Set the timer computers fro the watering system at 9am, fitted the moisture sensor in the raised beds.

Made more Compost Tea, the gardener came for an our before, we gave each tree 1 gallon of the feed as i had made 120L, will make more to put 100L in the storage tank.

O/H did more shopping this morning, instead of tomorrow, so have my shrimps, smoked salmon, bacon, etc.

Evening All.

What a glorious day, it reached 25c in the shade here.

Got a lot done really, recovered all the tubs, made another 100L of compost tea and pumped it into the storage butt.

Earthed up more spuds in the tubs with chopped up leaves.

Fed the vine outdoors, fed the Asparagus plants.

Had a bacon butty for brekkie and beef Madras with rice for tea.

Hi Hicky

how wonderful it is that we have such good weather over a bank holiday period. It was around the same temperature here, although OH's car showed 31c when we came back to it today! (because it had been standing in the sun).

Glad to see the good weather meant you could get so much done in the garden.

My son's fave meal is madras too,so bet you enjoyed having that.

OH took son to see the Game of Thrones chair that is on tour, they arrived at 9am, half hour before it opened and there was a huge queue. They ended up queueing for 3 and half hours. But they got a nice photo and video each and a Game of Thrones Easter egg , all for free. I stayed home and did the washing as I knew they were in for a long wait.

Went to the auction this afternoon for the viewing. They had an old Rolls Royce there from the 1980's, refurbed, very nice. They had a few bottles of perfume, so might bid on them if they don't go too high.

Jayne Macdonald on tonight, and Gogglebox, will record one and watch the other.

Are you catching up on your recordings now Hicky?

Goodnight Hicky xxx

Hi Mollie.

A lovely Saturday as well, it says it will be 22c and sunny all day, probably hotter like yesterday.

Checked the watering was ok this morning at 9am all fine, 1 Fig tree has 30 Figs that i can see, very pleased, one of the newer trees.

The Kiwi Berry growing nicely as well, it seems i will have to keep some of the next deliveries in the greenhouse till June before i can plant them out.

I wouldn't queue for 2 minutes to see a chair, why?

You would look nice riding in a Rolls Royce, can see you now, waving through the window like the Queen does.

I didn't watch Jame, assumed it was an old one, started to watch a recording of 8 of the Gold hand detector shows and realised it was an old series, so binned it, still got loads of recording to watch though.

Hi Hicky

yes wonderful weather here too, we are going down Cardiff Bay after OH has watched the football.

Wow 30 figs already, that is doing well, sounds like the kiwi will do well too.

Yes looks like your watering system maintenace is important as we have had some dry weather lately. (and hot as well now).

I heard on the radio that those who have gone to Spain will be disppointed, as it is rain forecast there all over the holiday , whilst we get warmer weather and all the sun.

That is the trouble with a lot of series now, they don't make it obvious that they are repeats and it can be some time until you realise you have seen them before. They have been repeating the Vera ones.

I will watch BGT tonight I like that and I also enjoyed Steven Malhoon the show before hand, he is so quick witted.

Yes I guessed you wouldn't queue at all to see the chair, but of course you aren't a mad Game of Thrones fan. Lots of son's fellow uni students went too.

What a nice thought, sitting the a Rolls and waving through the window.   The seats were certainly very comfy.

OH fancies a camper van, but when we went to see them in the garage they were £50k to £65k! Never thought they cost that much! We could buy a flat in Wales for that much!

Time for an ice cream on the swing chair now. Gosh how I love this spring sunshine.

Have a lovely day enjoying your garden Hicky. xxx

ps...If you are reading this Emptybox, I am still missing you. xxx

Hi Mollie.

my thermometer on the back of the gazebo is reading 26c wow, it's almost as hot as Cairns.

Another Fig tree has quite a few on it as well, the Brown Turkey that usually gives me quite a few.

the problem is, if you prune the end of the branches you cut off the fruit for next year, not much you can do to stop that.

Didn't realise how much room these Showmaster Onions need, a foot apart, they will be lucky, have been repositioning the markers for the toms, peppers, chillies and melons to give more room for therm.

I have uncovered the swing and benches, moved the swing seat into position and had a little swing.

I am looking at a mobility scooter similar to what i had in Oz, but with springs as the Cairns and Fitzroy Pavings are pretty rough, also in the Alamanda resort, every floor is hand layed like Slate but rough layed, so very bumpy to ride over.

This one is £529 before vat, but i may be able to get it zero rated with my COPD.

https://livewelltoday.co.uk/ja...obility-scooter.html

Will watch BGT tonight, there is a vast array of camper vans but they aren't cheap, it is a house in a van don't forget.

Have a good day, pop in and see us Emptybox we are worried about you.

I had eggs on toast for brekkie, it looks like Burgers for tea.

Hicky

Did you get any Easter eggs? (maybe you and OH didn't have much time to get any this year though, with not being back long from your hols). I had a Dime one, it is delicous. It has Dime in the shell, as well as a Dime choc bar inside.

My neighbour bought daughter a Reese peanut butter egg with 3 peanut butter mini eggs, as a thank you for looking after their dog.

Wow you definately bought the Cairns weather back with you. It was sizzling in our back garden today. I did manage a swing for awhile but even with the shade  up, couldn't stay too long in the middle of the day. 

That is surprising that the onions need a foot apart. Sounds like you now need a lot of planning to sort that.

The mobility scooter will be very useful for you here with the summer coming up. You won't be tailing after your OH whilst she is exercising her knee.

Stayed home today, got lots of washing dried. OH sorted the garage out. We tend to use it as a dumping ground at times for stuff we don't want to throw away.

Watching the funny things Kids do now, then Antiques Road show, might watch SAS after.

Have a good evening Hicky. xxx

Yes we are worried about you Emptybox, please post a quick hello if you can.

Evening Mollie.

Hot again today, 24c with sun and light winds.

Have decided to grow the melons and chilies in the greenhouse so instead of needing big plant pots i will make 6 buckets into them, i have added the watering system to the outlets in the greenhouse, i installed 17 irrigation points when i built the greenhouse.

The onion plants are surviving so far and putting those in the greenhouse will free more raised bed for the onions.

Just had 3 crumpets for brekkie, but o/h made a lovely Sunday roast, i had beef rib, she had chicken.

Still no Emptybox.

O/H got me a Cadburies Egg, i didn't get one for her as i haven't been out.

I managed to get some time on the swing seat today as well, missed that.  

Evening All.

23c today, sunny and light breeze.

Finished making the bucket pant pots, all base holes put in and a sheet of netting covering them so the roots can't get out and insects can't get in, also put 2 scoops of 1/4" horticultural stone in the bottom to help drainage.

The onions are coming on ok so far, they are all trying to grow up vertical again after being lying down for a week.

Have decided to put 2 of each in the greenhouse, 2 cucumber, chilies and melons, and 1 of each in the raised beds, but they don't come till middle of May.

Had a nice swing on the swing seat again.

Noticed some Asparagus coming through as well.

Hicky

so pleased the good weather is with you too. Another hot sunny one here too today.

That's nice your OH made you a roast for Easter day, and you got an Easter egg too.

That's good your onion plants are still surviving. HOpe the melons and chillies do well too.

Your bucket plants are keeping you busy.

Glad you are enjoying your swing chair, so nice and relaxing in this weather and good for the leg muscles too. I too enjoyed going on our swingchair today.

We also went to costco to get a bit of shopping today, enjoyed a few free food samples and a jacket potato in the cafe.

OH getting his bag packed to leave early in the morning, glad it is only 3 nights away this week.

Goodnight Hicky xxx

Evening Mollie.

Yes, another nice day, can't pt compost into the buckets as it will dry out too easy, i have just enough compost of differing sorts.

Had the rest of the Rib Beef for tea, made a marinade to put on it and boiled some rice..

Got to fill the dishwasher now and tidy the kitchen before bed.

22c again tomorrow with sun all day, nice. 

Hi Hicky

hope you got the promised warm sun today.

It was warm and sunny here, but has clouded over now.

I expect you have been busy in your garden again? Lucky you have just enough compost to do what you need to do.

Is your OH still getting around ok after her op?

Have you decided which scooter you fancy yet?

I got one of these from costco yesterday as it is nice and light and easy for me to wheel round.

https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordle...-vacuum-cleaner.html

OH has had a cold that has been round the family and was coughing till about 1am. He had to sit propped up in bed all night, but still insisted on getting up at 5am and driving to work! I am hoping he sleeps better tonight. He said the cough hasn't bothered him in the day. So annoying when it keeps you awake at night.

Met mum's ex carer and her friend for lunch today at the carvery. It is nice for her friend to get out with us, as she has to have dialasis, so is tied up 3 times a week, poor thing. She told me the ambulance picked her up about 4pm yesterday and she didn't get home till 11pm. She doesn't complain though as she knows it is keeping her alive and she looks much better since starting this, as she used to be a yellow colour. She even ate all her big lamb roast dinner. I just have the veg carvary, but its delcious, especially as I don't have to peel the veg and cook it.

Have a good evening HIcky xxx

Evening Mollie.

23c here but light cloud masking the sun most of the day.

Di more spud earthing up in the 3 tubs.

Had beans on toast for brekkie and for tea had a home made veg soup from the freezer then a prawn fried rice from same place.

I have the eye clinic in the morning then on Thursday a small op on a tag thing by my left eye which they said they could sort at the hospital Seal Unit.

Yes, o/h leg is fine, it got a good test in Oz.

Haven't decided on the scooter yet, will have to check the pavements around here have all got the access ramps i would need.

Yes, we have had the G-Tech ones for years, probably the original though, but they are very good.

Thats a blow, a cold really messes you up, hope it clears. 

Hicky

I sent you a PM in our usual PM place, (see El Loro's post a few posts above if you have forgotten how to acess it).

How did you get on at the eye clinic today? Hope all is well ready for the small op tomorrow. Do you have a lift to and back for the op? Did they say how long the op would take?

Glad to see your OH is still doing well with her walking.

Did you get in the garden today or was it too wet?

It started dry but then we had heavy rain for quite a few hours. Its stopped now though.

Did a bit of food shopping in asda today.

Am watching the drama on itv tonight called The Bay, have been enjoying it.

OH said his cold is a bit better tonight.

Son is at rehearsals for his next show now.

Evening Mollie.

Just read your post, looked in both message boxes, left a message.

The eye clinic went ok, eye's stable, got a taxi as didn't want to drag o/h out that early, she picked me up and we went to the butchers for some nice meat.

Had a wander in the garden, although it was 18c it was pretty cloudy at times, light winds, it started to rain a bit in the afternoon.

I'll get a taxi to the hospital for the op, o/h out with her mum shopping Thursday, depends on what time it's finished i might get a taxi home.

Just had a round of toast with marmalade before i went to the clinic, for tea i did lamb loin chops with sliced green beans and cauliflower with roast spuds and gravy, nice.

While i was waiting for p/h to pick me up from the eye clinic  i bought some fruit and veg from the stall in the hospital waiting room, it's outside in the summer, i gave the girl a £10 note, she said, this is Australian, i wondered what happened to it, i must have put it in with the £10 notes by mistake.

Hicky

did you read the long message I posted on Moll's Op PM page? I know you have seen the shorter one on the other PM, as I saw your reply. I posted 2 messages on different PM pages.

Hicky

let me know when you have read the long post on the "Moll's Op" PM page. That is the PM for you, that  I wanted you to read first, fully explaining what I know.

You are funny getting your Oz and UK £10/$10 notes mixed up. Easily done though.

Your tea sounds nice, I think green beans are really nice at the moment. Meant to tell you that the British strawberries are in the shops again.  They are delicous too.

Glad to hear your eyes are stable.

Good luck for tomorrow. Hope it goes well. xxx

Hi Mollie, saw you long message, i'm in shock, wow.

Just want to leave a 

Evening All, will post tomorrow night, beeh in the hospital from 11am till 4.30pm the we went to get a takeaway as i woouldn't be able to cook, they operated on the gwoth under my left eye qand another thind and sent to lab, can't see screen so just watching keyboard, excuse errors. 

Hi HIcky xxx

what a long time you were at the hospital getting your eye op sorted. I am sure you are feeling exhausted today. I hope your eyesight is recovering ok today.

Don't worry if you don't feel up to posting tonight, you don't want to strain your eyes.

Gone much colder here today , had to get up in the night and put the winter quilt back on, have put the fans from last week to one side again, and turned the heating on again! So changable.

My friend called in for coffee this morning, which is great as I haven't seen her for a few months, she had been unwell with a continuing cough/chest infection that has at last cleared.

My cough has finally cleared (apart from first thing in the mornng when I wake, so am just ignoring that).

Baz posted:

Just want to leave a 

Thank you Baz, pour post is much appreciated.

We are still in shock and of course feeling very upset at the news.

*mollie* posted:

Baz posted:

Just want to leave a 

Thank you Baz, pour post is much appreciated.

We are still in shock and of course feeling very upset at the news.

I can imagine Hicky .....my heart goes out to you and Mollie ...its so very sad It’s amazing how close you can become with people on the forum ...even though you may  never met many of them . I lost my husband last year and quite frankly I don’t know how I would have got through it all without the friendship and love of my forum friends . Anyway , I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you all 

Evening Mollie and Baz.

Thabk you for those kind words Baz So sorry to hear about your loss, i can only imagine it's like losing a part of yourself and so comforting to just be able to chat with others on a forum, it's like having pens friends, as it used to be.

I find it hard to believe it has happened, he must have felt in an very loney place with nowhere to go, he must have been so scared of having to go into hospital on his own and not being able to work for some time, poor man for it to come to that. RIP Lovely Man.

I took the dressing off earlier so i can use 2 eyes now which is so much better, they removed the cutaneous horn growth and then took a biopsy of the other growth to send it all of to the lab.

Had scrambled egg on toast for brekkie, have been cooking a beef tongue that i got at the butchers Wednesday, love fresh tongue, will probably have a couple of sandwiches with some of it soon, i put oxo cubes in the water when i boiled it, have added onions and spuds, so will have some of that as well.

Glad you cough has cleared, i had to sleep with a load of pillows last night as i must keep my head high, i mustn't put my head down at all, see the consultant in about 10 days, had to make an appointment to see the COPD nurse as well.

Mollie and Hicky, please forgive the intrusion.

I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear the news about Emptybox. You three had a lovely friendship for over a decade and I can imagine your shock and sadness at his sudden passing.  RIP Emptybox.

Thank you Yogi19.

You aren't intruding, anyone is always welcome at any time.

Yes, it was very sudden, i thought his not posting was serious but didn't dare think of something so awful, can't imagine what was going though his mind at the time.

Hicky posted:

Thank you Yogi19.

You aren't intruding, anyone is always welcome at any time.

Yes, it was very sudden, i thought his not posting was serious but didn't dare think of something so awful, can't imagine what was going though his mind at the time.

People can often be in a dark place and show no outward sign to friends and loved ones. No matter what, I’m sure he valued the friendship he had with you and Mollie